Friday night at the gym

[supercheesegirl]

It took me forever to get my ass in gear and get to the gym today, but once I got there, I worked really hard. 32.5 minutes on the moving-arms elliptical, 3 miles, and like 380 calories. I felt like I could maybe have gone faster, but my heart rate was (according the machine) shooting up into the "about to explode" range, so I figured it would be best to pull it back some. I mean, I didn't feel like my heart was about to explode, but you probably don't feel that sort of thing until right before it actually happens and it's too late to prevent it. I also worked hard on the weight machines, upping my weight on two of them. My arms are going to be seriously sore tomorrow. Did about 45 minutes of yoga (judging by the length of the Lotus album) and pushed really hard there too.

I'm reading this book right now, which I will of course post about in more detail later, but it's been really inspirational and it's making me consider more what I need to be doing in terms of fitness and yoga. I'm going to make an appointment with a personal trainer at my gym--I think I get one complimentary session with my year's membership, so it won't cost me anything, and if I can talk about my goals with a professional maybe he can give me some good feedback on whether I'm doing the right things. Here are my fitness goals, in order of importance right now: (1) maintain good health; (2) maintain and improve appearance/sexiness; (3)increase strength and flexibility and decrease fat (because it gets in my way!) to prepare for future career as a yoga instructor. What I'm currently doing at the gym is probably helping those goals, and can't possibly be actively hindering them, but I think talking about it with someone will be beneficial.

I have also decided that I need a training montage. They happen all the time in movies, and it gets the training done so much more quickly! I would like to run to inspirational music while my trainer shouts encouragingly. I want to hit a punching bag, awkwardly and weakly at first, but with increasing strength and vigor until I'm beating that fucker powerfully and rhythmically. I would like to see a similar progression in my pushups, situps, chinups, and all other ups. I would sweat and pant like I was going to keel over, but then I would keep going, determination shining in my eyes, and when it was all over I'd be strong and fit and ready for my final confrontation, whatever that may be. I mean, there was even a training montage in The Cutting Edge, for goodness sake. Do I have to fill out a form or something? I really want one.

Comments

[digital-e.livejournal.com]

For a training montage, I think you need to start with the Rocky theme. And you're even in Philadelphia!

Meeting with a trainer sounds like a good idea. When I had a trainer, I found he gave me more weight on the machines than I used myself, so a trainer might be what you need to push yourself a little further.

I had a fitness assessment the other day, and while my cardiovascular health was "excellent" and I could squat against the wall forever, my flexibility was "below average." I'm starting yoga on Tuesday. Any advice?

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

YAY YOGA!!! I'm so excited for you! Um, it'll be overwhelming at first. Don't stress about that. Depending on how fast the teacher moves, if it's a beginner class or an everybody class or what, you might feel like you're rushing to try to keep up, or that it's confusing. That happens to everybody, because no one is used to moving their body like that when they start, so just stick with it. After a few classes you're sure to feel more comfortable. And yoga is not a place to push yourself too hard--you just want to push up to the limit you can do, and hang out there--you don't want to push past your limit because that's how people hurt themselves. If anything hurts, pull back and don't do it. A good teacher will tell you the same thing.

Yoga's awesome, seriously, I hope you like it!

[digital-e.livejournal.com]

It is a beginner class. It says it's Yoga 1-2 and that it teaches "a variety of postures with correct alignment and breathing - suitable for most students in normal health, including students with little or no yoga experience." Which is good for me. Thanks for the tips. I keep saying I'm starting Tuesday, and I don't know why because there isn't a beginning class that night. So I'm starting Monday. I've heard good things about the place I picked, too. I might just do it once a week, or I might try twice a week. It's hard to work all the different kinds of exercise into one week, isn't it?

[apostrophe-esss.livejournal.com]

I had a training montage once. It was to "She Works Hard for the Money" and the hardest part about it was changing outfits so fast. You have to do it really quick while the camera is focused on the calendar flipping or the clock hands whirling rapidly. But at the end of that minute and a half I was so buff.

[birdmaddgirl.livejournal.com]

this has nothign to do with this post, but i wanted to avoid cluttering a book review with my off-topic commenting.

YOUR BOYFRIEND IS MY HERO!

ok. that is all.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

MINE TOO!!

Seriously, I'm glad it's working out for you to stay with him while you're out there. Santa Rosa is a cute little town too, you'll like it. And yay wine tasting!!

[handmadedark.livejournal.com]

Just came across this today in a magazine:

Myth The fastest way to build muscle is to do more reps with lighter weights.

Reality If you’re looking to bulk up quickly, follow this general rule: Heavier resistance with fewer reps will build up your muscles faster. If you’re just looking to shape up, however, doing more reps with lighter weights has benefits too, including improving your muscular endurance. (“Heavy” weights are those you can use for only eight reps or fewer. “Light” weights enable you to do 12 to 20 reps.) The best fitness plan includes a combination of both, to enhance strength and endurance. Another reason to do both: If you always lift the same amount of weight (light or heavy) for the same number of repetitions, your body will acclimate, and progress will be slow or nonexistent