Saturday, February 23, 2013

Space Cadet

Weird week . . . I was piddling around, thinking my TRX class on Tues was at 8:45.  But no, it started at 8:30.  Then I was driving to a dental appt, and going the completely wrong way.  I was in the store, staring at what I needed, and couldn't find it and when I asked for help, there it was, right in front of me.  Sam had lego club on Thurs nite and we totally missed it.  On and on.

But what I completely spaced mid-week was my Tricep Dips!  How does that happen?  Completely forgot about them.  Luckily there are a few days left in the month, and I will make them up this next week. 

I don't even know yet what else I probably forgot!

Ethel

Monday, February 4, 2013

Impressive Post

Wow Jess -- that was an amazing post , as well as an impressive list of classes.  Good for you!

I'm on the verge of falling of the wagon again.....just can't seem to get my focus again.  I did go running yesterday for the first time in months.  Did 2 miles.....  It's a new day -- so I'm starting fresh.

I love the veggie thing -- that's very creative! And yes you are right....I have plenty of places to do tricep dips!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Jan Kicker Update: Classes!

Having a nice YMCA that is convenient, I do use the fitness classes.  Of course, the same ones over and over (like yoga and spin) so I took on this challenge as 4 NEW classes!  I even went beyond, and found some that I enjoyed and look forward to doing again.


POWER PIYO! 90 min of pilates and yoga with Yogi Harley Tom. Great workout, and would do again time permitting!
 

 
 
NOT SO LAZY RIVER! You know my whole "I hate water thing" so I tried a class in the Lazy river. Hard to see, but it is the circular pool to the left (usually rafts). With 12 people in there, the current really gets going and I have to admit I was a little stiff the next day! I was the youngest one there, until I saw an another basketball Mom appear - it was so nice to have a friend there.
AQUACIZE! Said basketball friend Cary tells me that she does the Sr. aqua aerobics class, and that it is fun.  So she talks me into trying it with her - it's in the therapy pool which is about 4 1/2 ft so I'm thinking I can handle this. The far pool in he image. It was hysterical - if you ever want to feel like a fit goddess, in a swimsuit no less, go to a (sr) water aerobics class.
 
So, being on a roll I try the regular Aquacize class another morning thinking it would be harder (and more people, ahem, my age). The problem with 7:45 am classes is that no one can attend - except the seniors!  They were all very friendly, but still they were a tight group and I'm sure thinking that I was the one who lost my mind.  They talk about how they are shrinking (height) and how they can't hear the music, etc.  I made the workout as tough as I could so it was worth my hour there. Yes, are you counting? Three new water classes. Before you know it, I may be buying a new swimsuit!
 
 
KETTLEBELLS  My new favorite - I have been taking the intro class (6 wks) so I don't get hurt, and I am getting it down.  I like it, b/c it is an aerobic  workout as well as weights. Did you know you do this crazy exercise BAREFOOT?! Doesn't that just sound stupid? The instructor's name is Melissa, so you know she is not steering us wrong. No mishaps yet. But you are throwing 25 lb things around.



 
TRX  See those tourture things hanging from the ceiling?  Those would be TRX straps.  Kind of like a pilates thing, where you use your own body weight and balance to do the exercises.  The instructor makes us run laps in between sets so we get heart rates up, too.  My arms still hurt.

BODY VIVE  That same basketball Mom friend told me that she likes this class so I tried it (she tried a spin class with me in trade - hated it). Pretty much like a typical ol' aerobic class, with a strength component of that squeezy ball and bands. Nice change of pace in a pinch.
 
So, I have a whole bunch of ammunition in my arsenal to not get bored! So many classes, so little time.
 

Bye Bye Burpees!

OK - I have a few left to do, which I will get in, but time to move on to Feb!

As Feb is a "short" month, I decided to focus on a small, annoying body part - TRICEPS!  (save the lower abs for a nice long month!).  Actually, did you know that the tricep makes up more of your arm than the bicep?  And women have a tougher time with these than men b/c of estrogen - we store more fat there than our testosterone-laden counterparts.

I have decided on TRICEP DIPS since they can pretty much be done anywhere.  Feel free to do overhead weights or other if you choose, but officially it's dips. Actually, fully extended overhead weights (drop to shoulder and back) work the long part of the tricep, which is even better (obviously there are three muscels involved) but not sure if weights are accessible to all.

Sit on bench or step (got any of those, Lucy?)  Put hands as close to butt as possible, fingers pointing out.  Extend legs, and drop butt as far as you can. Push up with tris, keeping butt and back as close to step as possible. Fully extend arms, and squeeze triceps on way back up.

60 a week.  I came up with that, b/c you know you are not really supposed to work them back to back days, but whatever.  If you are an overachiever, you are also supposed to work the opposing muscle at the same time (that would be the bicep).  Your choice - only counting tricep dips!

KICKER:  All of ours favorite topic - VEGETABLES!  We all have 7 letters in our names (even Douglas and Miranda - amazing, huh?) so you must eat a vegetable that starts with each letter of your name (Lucy doesn't count!).  Try to make it a NEW ONE, or a new recipe, as this is about expanding our horizons.  You can improvise if needed (like I is a tough letter - I would count Idaho Potato, or an adjacent letter if needed).  Since we're supposed to have up to 9 servings a day, I'm pretty sure we can challenge ourselves to get in 7 over the month.

Good luck and Report in!
Ethel