100 Things: Fitness and Health posts (11/100)

[labelleizzy]

Went to the gym yesterday on the way home from lunch with my friend Julia. Got to eat at Oliveto Restaurant in Rockridge aka the Oakland Hills, I love that joint.

Was driving past the gym on my way home after a side trip to Pendragon Books (OMG that place pulls cash straight out of my wallet and transforms it into a huge pile of books every time I cross the threshold!).

I do like my gym. That's good, if my intention is to spend time there two to three days a week.
Yesterday I started, not with bicycle time, but with some slow yoga. Result: spine and hips more flexible than they've been in ages, with less crunchy noises afterward, however knees (both knees) and my left achilles tendon are sore and tender the next day.

Verdict: Next time, try bicycling first, then yoga, then weights, and don't neglect a last little bit of steady cardio, either bicycling again or walking, as a kind of cooling-down or settling-down routine.

Note to self: remember to ice the left tendon and sole when you work out again, or anytime it's sore. And since this has persisted for some time, what with waking in the morning to limp into the bathroom from the bed, perhaps it's time to check in with a medical professional. Keep note of how often this pain happens during the next week, and how often you take Vitamin I for it.

Still want to try the formal yoga class and one of the Zumba fitness classes, largely because apocalypticbob has expressed such joy in Zumba. I've never tried pilates, and want to, and it's offered. Still want to try some swimming for cardio, strength, and flexibility.

Surprised myself yesterday in the shower when I noticed a thigh muscle I haven't seen for years. That was a nice kind of surprise, but I actually exclaimed aloud and surprised Jeff. =) Hoping to have him come accompany me to the gym, perhaps as much as once a week.

And, I've trotted across the street ahead of the light, perhaps three times in the last week? No knee pain or strain. I think this strength training is paying off in multiple ways.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_luaineach/]

Zumba is actually really fun. And, more than that, a really great/efficient work out, if you get into the flow of it. Swimming is my favorite; it's so body friendly.

[anita-margarita.livejournal.com]

I would really really love to do yoga regularly, BUT the yoga place here is above my self-imposed spending limit. And I don't know enough to create my own ---- (need word here: routine? workout?) without an instructor.

[labelleizzy.livejournal.com]

My friend inflectionpoint tells me about just starting with Sun Salutation. First, one iteration,then two, then building from there.

However if you have any real problems with physical flexibility,i do recommend finding classes to start with.

For example,think about your self imposed spending limit. And about how much you want, or need, to get stronger or more flexible. If it's a strong desire, find money from one category that you can instead spend on yoga. Or shop around to find a less expensive yoga studio.

Try yoga once a week for about two months. Be regular about it. If you don't want to do it after 8 sessions or so (that's about what it took for me to get addicted the first time!), if you don't feel a change for the better in the strength, flexibility, and decreased pain, then try something different,perhaps.

As far as I am concerned, I feel better about EVERYTHING when I am moving regularly. I recommend moving as often as you can do it.

[anita-margarita.livejournal.com]

Flexibility has always been one of my strong points, so that isn't a problem.

I hadn't thought of just starting with one pose and working on that, then gradually adding others. I was thinking in terms of the way classes are, and it just hadn't occurred to me that I didn't HAVE to learn everything all at once. Sometimes I'm a bit slow on the uptake. But that is an excellent idea. Thanks!

[sagefemme11.livejournal.com]

Newly sculpted thigh muscles! YAY!!!!!!