Lifting

The Y I attend has new weight machines, and they are very nice. I lifted in high school, took a recreational lifting after school program to learn the technique, but I haven't done much serious lifting since then. I'd do it now and again during college, and now, but with no serious frequency.

I really like these new weight machines though. They are Cybex brand, and grey/silver. I forget the model. They are more adjustable, and shiney (yes, this matters for some reason), and the free squat machine is set up such that I can't drop the weight forward on myself! I have now lifted on the new equipment twice in one week, and am enjoying getting back into lifting. Will this be a perminant addition to my workout routine? Don't know. But I do like their abs and hip ad/abductor machines as well as a good portion of the arm and leg torture - er- machines I've tried so far. I think I might try to keep up with it.

To Kick, or not To Kick

Tonight is Kickboxing (cardio variety) at the Y. I think it starts at 4:30. I told myself I'd go to the Y 3 times a week all month. So far, so good. Secondary goal was to 3 classes this month (w/ the theory that about 1 a week would be good). So, a good choice is to the Y with me for the 4:30 Kick class. The trouble, I'm tired, and it's nice out! Most of me wants a nap (this could be because I just had lunch). The rest of me wants to play outside, with my plants! So...I could compromise, go to the Y, but not to kick...run 2 miles or do 30 min on the eliptical stepper runner thing, and then get home and play outside! I could even go home and play outside, then go back and go swimming later....hrm - but I think I'll not do that option.


Likely I'll end up doing some form of the Y first, then home, then outside. The lawn needs mowing, the weeds need pulling, and I need a trip to Target and Menards too to get outside things. Maybe I need to consider waking up earlier (yuck) and going to the Y before work (yuck) so I can get home on some nights to do things around the house (yuck yuck getting up yuck). Maybe I shouldn't blog about excercise when I'm having the lunch tummy tireds!

Update on improving softball swing: My form is getting better, but I'm still hitting so-so. Last night (we won both games of the double header - yay) I had a good hit, a good but scooped hit, and a swinging bunt that I hit so hard it only went 2 feet before stopping. I made it to base OK. There was also a walk, and getting out once or twice. I scored a few runs. The weather was lovely. More batting cages need to happen!!

Improve Thy Mood

Have you ever had a day where you become crabby about something? What about when you are crabby about something that you can't really tell anyone why you are crabby (those involved, anyway) because your crabbiness will seem petty? What if, even if it IS petty, you have a right to be crabby? A catch-22 is it not?

Usually I give myself a stern lecture in the mirror about being crabby about things I can't change, even about being crabby in general. Being crabby changes nothing...and I try not to give into letting myself be crabby for the mood's sake, or letting a crabby behavior feel rewarding. (this is the path to the dark side, children)

Today, however, I've have given myself a time limit. I'm allowed to be crabby until tomorrow morning at 8AM. Yup, 8AM - but only for this specific reason (sorry I'm being cryptic, but no I will not write it here) and not at anyone or anything else. Then, I have to take a deep breath and let it go. I'll find a mirror if required. Because I really can't do anything, and in fact, that would make it worse.

It doesn't help that I was sick all last night and have the worst headache and backache right now. I think that is exacerbating the issue. Note to self, "chin up."

Sleep

Sometimes, I push myself to hard. "Sometimes?" Ok, much of the time. This weekend the last few months caught up with me. I had zero energy. Saturday I managed to sleep til noon, go on a few errands, feel like crap, take a 3 hour nap in the afternoon, watch a movie,and then go to bed. Sunday, I felt a bit better...and we managed to make it to the Y to go swimming for about 1/2 of 1 mile. I also managed to do laundry and a few other household chores, but nothing like what I had wanted to accomplish....

Perhaps I need to be more realistic in what I can accomplish in one day? Nah! That would mean giving up the things I want to do so I can finish all the things I need to do. One has to have some fun. This weekend is 'shower' weekend with a baby shower one day and a bridal shower the other. So far - I have made my goal of going to the Y 3 days a week this month. Only one week in, but it's nice to have made the goal the first week. This week I'll try to go Tuesd/Thurs/one day this weekend.. I don't know if I'll go tonight - the pool felt so good yesterday. I think it will depend on timeing. I'm going to go to the batting cages after work and try to improve my softball swing.

Other things I should do this week:

• Weed the garden(s)
• Clean the office
• make bread
• grocery shop
• prepare for the two showers
• train the birds
• the Y (3X)
• Climb (1-2X)
• sleep - goal is 7 hrs per night!

Oh, and study! I need to study and I need to finish my app for my certification exam! Crap, almost forgot that one.