Why, yes, my feet do like to read...

Last week I got a couple of new body bars for the gym because I needed ones that were heavier than the 15-pound one I already had and lighter than my 45-pound Olympic bars.  That would be a first-world trainer problem, for those keeping score.  Because I am inherently silly, I carried them out to the gym across my back as if I were going to do squats with them, very funny looking squats that needed to move sideways to get through the kitchen and its obstacles.

As I walked across the back yard, I noticed the difference in my feet.  On one trip, I had an extra 24 pounds pressing down on them and, on the second, thirty.  (Yes, I attempted to be sensible and didn’t do both bars at once.  Also, the 30-pound one is longer than the 24-pounder and that would have been extra awkward.)  What a relief to take the extra weight off!

How much better will my feet feel when I lose a few pounds?  How about my spine?  I am newly motivated to take off that extra body bar I’ve installed on myself.  Anybody else?

No, we can't go all Keith Moon on the hotel and those are land carrots

Our bodies let us live there.  In return, sometimes we trash the place and then complain about what a dump it is.

Today is a great day to say thanks to our bodies.  Our feet hold us up and carry us around.  Our legs propel us through space.  Our pelvises let us pretend we are Elvis.  Our spines ensure that we are not sea cucumbers (even if some days we would like to live the simple, invertebrate life deep under the sea).  The same kind of good things are true about all the rest of our body parts all the way up to the tops of our nice big round heads protecting our nice big wrinkly brains.

Thank each part.  Sincerely.  No side snarky remarks about bulges or anything.  It’s the least we can do.

Rah: And this photo is of disorganized team sports in 2002

I admit I found organized team sports kind of mysterious.  I am not a naturally gifted athlete.  Also, I always seemed to miss the moments when the in-jokes were born.  Then there was the terror of letting down the team at a crucial moment.  (Another terror I had was very specific:  the girl one of the middle school teams who played opposite me in basketball was four times my size and left tire tracks on my whole body.)

However, fitness is still a team sport for me.  On my team I have people who train me, teach me, give me classes, answer my questions, adjust my joints, work out my tensions, rehabilitate my injuries, and just work out with me.  We need leaders, colleagues, experts, and friends to help us grow.

We are all lucky because we can all be part of other people’s teams.  We can encourage each other, suggest new motivating music (however you want to interpret that… I prefer silly stuff that makes me laugh!), or bring the ice and Advil.

Go team!

Friday Exercise: Unicorn Kicks/Hamstring Curls

The amazing Stickie understands that we often neglect the back sides of our bodies.  Because she wants the back of her legs to be as strong and shapely as the fronts, she does hamstring curls (sometimes known around here as Unicorn Kicks, thanks to Gennie…).  This exercise does not feel good; Stickie understands that no matter how much she practices, this will never be the most fun exercise ever.  However, she loves keeping her knees safe, so she does it anyway.  Also, the big ball helps her pretend it is fun, even when it isn’t.

She begins lying on her back with her heels on the stability ball.  With her arms pressing into the ground, she bridges up so that she is a straight line between her shoulders and her knees.  Staying stable in this position requires plenty of abdominal and glute work.  If Stickie wants additional challenge, she lifts her arms off the floor and holds them over her shoulders.  Then, on an exhale, she extends her knees, rolling the ball away from her until she is a straight line from shoulders to feet.  When she inhales, she draws her heels back toward her behind.  Two sets of ten repetitions is usually plenty.

Thursday Book Report: The Deerholme Vegetable Cookbook

I don’t really have a problem with eating vegetables, but I am always interested in more ways to make tasty food.  The Deerholme Vegetable Cookbook by Bill Jones makes vegetables look even better.  The recipes all look delicious.  I was particularly impressed with the informational sections about various veggies, their names, family histories, general nutrient content, and usual preparations.  There are also tips about varieties to grow at home, although those are somewhat skewed toward what will grow in Vancouver, where the Deerholme farm and restaurant are.

Whether you are interested in eating entirely vegetarian or in finding better sides to go with your meaty fare, there are lots of options here, including a whole bunch of pickles and preserves.  The photos are also lovely and nourishing to the eyes.

"Hahahahaha!" --God

You know the saying about how to make God laugh, right?  I wrote on Monday about planning.  Sometimes plans don’t work out.  Like maybe the washer decides to blow a gasket.  Suddenly, the time set aside for working out becomes time to make phone calls, wait for the repairman, visit the Laundromat, and feel thankful that the dryer at least still works.

That is okay.  Stuff happens.  It was just one day.  There are lots of days in a week and missing a workout on one of them means there are six more chances to get in those reps.

Don’t panic; take that stress to the gym and burn it.

Take the long way home?

Shortcuts have so much allure in our busy times.  Some of them are worth it (prewashed greens, you rock!), some not so much (see:  frozen pizza).  Many of us would love the equivalent of a multivitamin for exercise:  take one a day and relax because we have the RDA of all our essential cardio, weight training, and flexibility.  (I, on the other hand, would be sad and out of a job!)

I am not talking about efficiency.  I love interval training because it does more with less time.  That is a total win because we get in the necessary work more quickly.

I am talking about things like crash diets, caffeine, and sugar dependency.  Severely restricting calories does more than take off pounds.  It deprives the body of needed nutrients.  It inhibits the body’s ability to heal.  It also may cause irritability and lethargy.  Finally, it is not sustainable.  Eventually, we need to return to normal eating and may in fact binge.

I am the very last person to tell someone to forgo a morning cup of coffee or tea, because my recurring besetting sin is Coke, diet or regular (presently in remission).  However, relying on caffeine to replace sufficient sleep for long periods of time causes problems.  Sleep is not a luxury; we need it.  Maybe the process of weaning ourselves from overuse of caffeine is nasty:  well, actually, there is no maybe about it.  It is also worth it because when it is over we are less irritable, more relaxed, and more in tune with what our bodies actually need.

Then there is sugar.  We love the high it gives us, the instant burst of energy.  I’ve written before about the dark side, the energy crash, the empty calories, its role in obesity, and even its role in environmental destruction.  We can choose naturally sweet things and skip all the added sugar in processed food.  It’s not as easy as grabbing a candy bar, but it is worth it.

Take the long way; the view is better.