Fitness

Fitness / Uncategorized — 4 Comments
18
Apr 12

Just say no to the “French Press.” Or my abs are going to flab.

I hate pain.

Most because pain hurts.

Here’s my problem.

Even in small Southern towns we have gyms. Actually in Madison we have two gyms. We must be the cut-est small town around.

I belong to the Madison Fitness Center where a very disturbing competion has erupted.

Battle of the Abdominal Crunch.

Seems things start with our dear Beverly, personal trainer.

 

Somehow a contest started amongst her trainees with the abdominal crunch machine.

I wanted no part in it.

I love a sick (sic) pack as much as anyone…

But now that I’ve obtained a certain age, I make sure any bikinis I wear are worn in the comfort of completion isolation. Or on beaches where  I know no soul and everyone with a pitcher of frozen margarita is my BFF for the day…

Beverly told me of this competition for the most crunches that had developed betwixt some of my friends.

The record was 120.

The red cape waved. The gauntlet thrown.

I sat down and did 134.

Less than 24 hours later got a message on Facebook from someone that she’s done 145.

Super.

Then I arrive to my workout on Tuesday to hear my neighbor had crunched out 170.

So like a lamb I was lead to the “French Press”.

See that’s part of this thing too. You have to pick a name for the device of torture.

Waffle maker, pancake maker and so on. After noticing a kitchen appliance theme trending I went with the French Press.

So I sat down and started. Just because I love Beverly and I’m not going to be some Fuddy Duddy who can’t get into the spirit of a little good-natured, gym competition.

 

And crunched out 200. I wear the Ab Queen crown for now.

Poo.

I hated every second of it because I am a Fuddy Duddy who doesn’t like pain.

That’s it.

Next time I get a text that someone has done 6 billion and sixty — I shall blow them a kiss.

BTW ~ what’s sure favorite abdominal workout now that swimsuit season is a mere two months away?

Children / Family / Fitness / Running — 5 Comments
7
Feb 12

Family fun run. Seems Mommy is not the fun one.

I try.

I try to do things for the betterment of my children and dare I say…my family as a unit.

I signed us up for a 5k.

A 5K at Disney World.

I thought training would be a breeze.

It’s been more of a 73 mile an hour headwind. I bribe. I cajole. I promise things no self-respecting mother would ever do.

Today it was beautiful. I said two miles.

We HAD TO WAIT for Daddy to get home. Fine. But what am I?

Stale Raisin Bran?

Evidently.

 

They all want to run with Daddy.

Except my dear Tebow. Who would always want to run with me in spite of the fact he is chained to me.

Then Daddy and daughter took off.

Which left me and son. He decided to pick up every rock and torment me by going slower than a hibernating bear awoken mid-January.

 

Pokey, pokey stubborn puppy.

So Mama served as bridge between the pokey puppy and the whippets.

 

 

(She never runs like that for me.)

Then Daddy says something to poky, tormenting son and BAM…

Just like that they are all sprinting ahead of me.

 

 

I’ll never see them again…

Oh, there they are waiting at the top of the hill for me…and Tebow.

 

 

 

 

Who would never leave me, even if he wasn’t tethered to me by a suspension cable from the Golden Gate Bridge.

Do you exercise with your children?

Why don’t they see this as fun?

Is it fun?

Fitness / Running — 5 Comments
28
Jan 12

Saturday’s long run day. What now?… Just get out of bed.

I run.

Unless injured or gravely ill, I’ve run for exercise the last 28 years of my life.

If you are new to running or a long time runner who wants to see that all runners’ neurosis are the same, you might want to follow along. (I mean normal runners. Not a gifted gazelle from another planet’s gene pool.)

Since I blog daily and Saturday’s find me out on a training run, it occurred to me that each Saturday for a bit, I’m going to share what I have learned over the last 28 years. I maybe not a certified expert — but I have street cred.

 

*      *      *

I’m training for the Disney Princess Half end of February and the ZOOMA Half at Lake Lanier on April 22.

Today I was to run 10 miles.

The first point ‘ll cover this in post is the most critical — other than finding a training plan and sticking to it — to getting your required asphalt time in.

DO IT EARLY.

Here’s the painful part.

Get out of bed before light — usually in the cold. Early enough to have a spot of coffee, stretch and go. I’m like a turtle poking around in the morning, so if I want to be out the door by 7 a.m., I need to be out of  bed by 6.

Fighter fighter would not be the profession for me.

If you have a family,  early translates…BEFORE CHILDREN STIR.

Made that mistake this morning. Once their up, it’s soooo hard to make it out the door.

But thank goodness my Prince said he would take his hungry fiefdom to Waffle House.

Some helpful things I  do to help get my rear in gear and out the door early.

*  Remember to set alarm. (This really helps.)

*  Lay clothes out. Look at weather the night before and plan your athletic wear accordingly.

*  Coffee pot already to turn on.

*  Get out of bed when the alarm sounds.  (This is where I had critical mass failure today.)

*  Have a running buddy. Knowing Kim is pulling her van up in your driveway helps to get the most protesting bod vertical.

*   Lace up and get moving.

 

And once you do — it’s great. It was this morning. A quarter mile into the run, it was so beautiful, I was questioning why, oh why is it hard to get out the door?

Ten miles done.

What about you? When do you get those long runs in?

 

 

Attitude Matters / Fitness / Uncategorized — No Comments
26
Jan 12

Musing on attitudes at the pool. You look Marvelous.

“Hi, Andy.”

Andy is a huge Alabama fan and the last time I swam in the afternoon was the day of National Championship game.

“Congratulations,” I said. For in the South we congratulate people if “their” team wins as if they were in uniform on the field throwing the ball around.

Then I had a bit of panic.

Did Alabama win? They did win didn’t they?

I couldn’t for the life of me remember if they indeed won.

“Yes, they did,” Andrew replied. “Quite handily.”

That’s why I was at the pool. If I needed to dunk my head in water to clear the fog — I might as well get some exercise.

I got in my lane and did my workout.

The older guy to my left was smoking fast (for an older guy.) Then to my great relief I saw he was wearing huge scuba-type fins.

There were two older women to my right. They exercised up and down the lane.

I’m not by any means an extroverted swimmer, but if I’m kicking with the board and make eye contact with another pool participant, I only think it civil to smile, nod, or give some recognition that they are another human.

I swam and tried to enjoy it. Tried to squash thoughts how my shoulders will never rotate like they should on the backstroke and how my chest never seems to pop out of the water like the aqua queens.

I got done and went to the locker room.

While getting dressed, I heard the two older women come in.

And one remarked to the other, “That was Marveloouusss.” The word went on for about 10 syllables and was as rich, deep and melodic as a banana split on a July evening.

Her marvelous resonated over and over in my head. I wish I had it recorded.

I’d play it and swim in it.

She didn’t look like she was haven’t all that much more fantastical fun than me. Heck, even pokey me lapped her constantly. (Yes, I live to lap octogenarians at the Aquatics Center.)

But she was having a marrrveelllouusss time.

So am I — next time.

For it’s up to me you know.

 

 

Fitness / Georgia / Running — 2 Comments
24
Jan 12

ZOOMA Atlanta Half Marathon and 5K. #Running, Resorts and Relaxation.

I’m a goal-oriented person.

Setting goals (like New Year’s resolutions) gives me a desired target to aim for….and the feeling of accomplishment when I meet the challenge.

Everyone came into this world wired-differently, but it seems like a pretty common resolution (the voracious blog reader that I am) was to put more emphasis on good health and fitness in 2012.

And if you are within a drive of Atlanta have I got a great challenge for you.

 

The ZOOMA Atlanta Half Marathon & 5K  this coming April 22 at Lake Lanier Island Resort.

If you’ve always desired to train and run that first race — ZOOMA gives you everything you need.

The ZOOMA Women’s Race Series has been around since 2007. This year they will hold races in destination locations including: Austin, Texas, Annapolis, Cape Cod, the Great Lakes and ATL-GA.

They’ve got a great website and interactive Facebook page.

Brae Blackley the ZOOMA series founder, is a mom of young children. She gave up a high-powered corporate law practice to pursue her passion of inspiring women to live healthy, active lives and have FUN in the process.

As a gal that’s been around the 13.1 block a few times, so many things impress me about ZOOMA.

* The races are smaller with limits on registrations.

* They select running Ambassadors in each location who devote their time to spreading the good word about ZOOMA, encouraging registrants of all levels and leading weekly training runs.

* Access to advance copy on training for Half and 5K distances from Train Like a Mother, the upcoming book from Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell authors of Run Like a Mother. 

*  They encourage runners to come out early to the expo and spend the night at the great resort before the race. Relaxing with friends enjoying their accommodations.

*  Did I mention the After Race Party with great venue by the lake, music, your friends and Barefoot Wine & Bubbly? Can you say FUN?

There is nothing like crossing the finish line. You should feel proud!

I’d be happy to discuss more of the details about the race with you. Just leave a comment and I’ll e-mail back.

Come out to the Big Atlanta Kick Off Party, this Saturday morning, January 28 from 8:30 to 11. The event at the Big Peach Running Company on Peachtree Road in Buckhead — will have lots of info, swag and you can meet some of the Atlanta race Ambassadors. And look for some thing cute to train in.

When you sign-up for the race online be sure to use the Discount Code: ATLCON3. You’ll save $10 of the Half registration and $5 on the 5K.

So come-on girlfriends, get your running shoes on.

 

 

Fitness / Life in Madison — 19 Comments
31
Aug 11

Early morning spin. And I’m not musing about the news.

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It was early.

Dark early.

Time for spin.

This was the first Wednesday morning spin class at this location since an F2 tornado tore into parts of Madison and Morgan County last April.

For the entire hot, sweltering summer, membas of Madison Fitness have been striving to keep the fitness vibe alive at temporary digs while repairs were made to the building.

Looks better than ever.

 

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I cannot tell you how nice it feels to ride in air-conditioning once again.

Here we are.  Emily, Joe, Jim and yours truly.

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In interest of journalistic integrity, I refused to photo-shop how the angle I’m sitting to get this picture makes my middle look like the center of a ice cream sandwich.

 A melting one.

Curses. Wish I had seen this before buying three bags of creme-filled pumpkin candies yesterday.

That is not my middle.

Someone stole my middle and gave me their creme-filled-pumpkin-candy middle !!!

* * *

Merrily spinning along, Jim casually mentioned his plans for the weekend.

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We all rejoiced. Especially after I learned it will be a small intimate ceremony.

That explains why I wasn’t invited.

Great to see some of the regulars back in the cool at dark-o-thirty.

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The ever-buff Robert Pennington and his trainer, Mickey.

Obviously, neither feels the pull of creme-filled pumpkins.

* * *

It was super to have all the equipment back, minus a few exercise balls and slides, in the old location.

And it was great to see Arnold (pre-gross out Arnold) somehow survived the roof blowing off and was still on the wall.

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Wait a minute. Something looks familiar.

My Abs!!!

*  *  *

Here’s wishing Jim and Carol the best of everything.

And we’ll be back spinning away next Wednesday morning.

Wonder how long it takes to burn off a bitty creme-filled pumpkin?

iPhone Photo Phun

Fashion Nonsense / Fitness — 2 Comments
10
Apr 11

Musing on scary legs. Winter white legs.

I fell for the wear-black-leggings-to-workout-in trick. 

I knew my legs suffered by not being able to run for the last six months.

But I had gotten serious about weight-training and regularly attended spin class — at least once every three weeks. And they looked fine in exercise gear.

This weekend was the first really warm weekend. The kind that makes you rummage around and unearth articles of clothing you forgot existed.

I found a pair of shorts. They went on fine. They zipped up fine — which is always a relief. I looked down.

*Gasp.*

I walked…

SCREAM.

Parts of my leg did wiggly, jiggly stuff. Big Parts.

My skin was translucent — other than huge bruises.

Those damnable workout pants. They hold stuff in and smooth stuff out. Leaving you thinking things are fine. Thinking that you are doing better than average for a woman of your station in life.

Dear God in heaven…when did this happen? I had no idea things were so bad.

I need to be out on my bike – to firm and colorize legs. Who am I kidding?

Maybe I’ll just never look down again?

Yes, I’ll be so much happier if I never look down again.

I’ll fashion one of those collars they make dogs wear so they can’t scratch their ears — or bother body parts.

Looks like, it's been done before.

 

Faith / Fitness / Life in Madison — No Comments
29
Mar 11

Musing on Muscle Overload.

Just another day at the office.

 

Ouch.  

This morning my trainer, the lovely Beverly Morris said to me, “Are ready for this?”  

She said it a few times…hmm.  

I did a little goofy white-person dancing thing with my shoulders — which was good because that was the last time I was actual able to feel them.  Audio clue for those who have no idea what I’m talking about.   Ready to Rumble ~ before I lost all feeling in my upper body.  

Dang.  

She was moving around fast and throwing weights at me. I tried be a good sport — not complain. Certainly not take the Lord’s name in vain.    

I was paying for this for pity’s sake.  Unintentional swearing and all.  

I’ve come to look forward to these weight sessions after my knee took a direct hit from a torpedo.   

But today we were overloading the muscle.  

I pay Beverly because she pushes me. There is no way I would do all that to myself in an hour.  

Because it’s not all that pleasant.  

Most of us need someone to push us — to overload us — so we can grow.  

Being pushed is exhausting. And right in the middle of it,  it’s really not fun.  

Because I believe in God — not like a nice happy higher power — but a true sovereign Being. I got it.  

He overloads us. Pushes to places we wouldn’t dare go ourselves. Yet He’s always there making sure the weight doesn’t come crashing down on our skull.  

Has He been pushing you lately?  

I’m going to stop now…because it hurts to type.