Sore Muscles!!

Whoa! I woke up this morning with sore muscles. The "fat tire" ride was lots of fun. There were only 5 of us that rode it. The ride was 17 miles long, and it took us one hour and 18 minutes. I was one of the slowest riders, but that did not bother me. I had no trouble with the ride. I was easily able to do the ride, and I could have done more. But saying that, I must also say that it was still challenging to me. But this morning.... whew.... my rearend was sore, my legs were sore, my shoulders were sore, and my hands were sore. My rearend was sore not because of the seat, but because of my glute muscles. My legs were sore in my calves, not my thighs. My shoulders and my hands were sore just because of having them in the same position for so long. The bikers were a nice group of people; some I knew, and some were new acquaintances. I will probably ride with them again. I spent the morning being lazy and reading a book. The day is heating up; therefore, I will wait until later this afternoon before I attempt more outside activity.

Being Full of Pride

I am learning so much in the latest Bible study I am doing. The study is on the book of Daniel. The lesson I began today is about Nebuchadnezzar and his downfall. The author of this study, Beth Moore, speaks about pride. I am quoting some of what she says- "some egos are swollen over what they do. Other egos are swollen over what they don't. Most of us are tempted by one of the traps more than the other. Whether or not you fall into the pride trap, just between you and God, which is your bigger temptation: what you do (performance) or what you don't (abstinence)? " Hmmm.... I know that I am guilty of both at different times. But I do hope that when I post on this blog that I am not giving that impression because I am not meaning to brag or say "look at me, how good I am because I do _____ and look at me how wonderful I am because I don't do_____" I am happy when I can perform and I am happy when I can abstain, but I sure don't want to be prideful with it. Anway... I just thought I would share this lesson of pride with you. Can you identify and which one is the bigger snare for you?

FFF (Friday's Fitness Fusion)

Today at FFF we had an overall workout. We did not work one area too much, instead just kinda doing an overall body workout. So none of our muscles were overworked; however, it was a good cardio session. We warmed up on the treadmill, then we went in the X room (exercise room), and then back on the treadmill, and then back to do work some abs on the mat. I really challenged myself on the treadmill by going all the way up to a 9 % incline. Now, before it sounds like I am showing off, believe me, that is not the case. I only did it for a few minutes and my speed was 3.5 mph. But we had a good workout, and it is always fun to mix things up. I am about to go for a "fat tire" ride here locally. The course is about 17 miles, and it will be a slower pace since we are riding with the fat tire bikes. My bike is a fat tire bike and that is the only one I have at the moment. Like me, I have some friends who have never done this ride that are joining me. I hope I can keep up and enjoy this afternoon ride.

I'll Say It Again

I gotta say it again. Keep yourself hydrated. I have been a poor example of this. Last night after my bike ride, I did not drink enough water. This morning, I overslept, and I was running late to my spin class; therefore, I did not have enough time to get that bottle of water all finished. When I was 3/4 through my ride, I started having a headache. I had to slow down and could not do everything that Xand was telling us to do. So, it made a difference not only in my performance, but also, in the way that I felt. So... be sure and drink, drink, drink. Hey.. I bought a dance video. I am going to try that out and see what a cardio workout I get with it. I do know that dancing is a great workout. The cover said that I can do this without a partner. Yippee, I can't wait!

Heavier Dumbbells

Today at FF I decided to try some heavier dumbbells. For the majority of the exercises, I did quite well. It was very challenging, but I could still do the required repetitions of the exercises. Only when I had to stick my arms straight out in front of me did I have a difficult time; I had to bend my arms to do them. I did okay on the lunges, the curls, the triceps workouts, the overhead shoulder workouts. I was certainly tired and my muscles were sore when I finished. This afternoon I went for a short bicycle ride- I think it was around 10 or 11 miles. It was not a hard ride. But the temperature was up and so I was definitely sweating. I am sure wanting to get another bike. My comfort bike has been fine for me right now, but if I want to do longer distances on the road, I really need a road bike. And those road bikes are certainly not cheap. But for now... I am riding my fat tire bike and enjoying it.

Being hydrated

Today when I got up, my mouth was really dry. I am assuming that all the outside activity and the sweating I did over the weekend caused me some dehydration. So today before I ever made it to my spinning class, I decided to really hydrate myself. I drank a full bottle of water, and then during my workout, I drank another bottle of water. Being hydrated before I began my exercise really helped me in my workout. I could really keep up much better, and I think it was because I drank that water before I began. I just don't naturally love to drink water. I must continue to make myself drink the right amount everyday. I will continue to work on being hydrated.

Menopot

I have a new vocabulary word- menopot. Do you know what a menopot is? This is that extra external roll of fat that a woman gets during perimenopause. It is not dangerous fat. The dangerous or toxic fat is the fat that is internal around your organs. This fat is just.... UGLY!!!!
I was reading about the menopot, and just about every single woman who approaches menopause will have one. However; you can control how big your menopot becomes. The secret is to begin early as soon as you see it to do something about it- how do you do that? Well of course... proper healthy diet and exercise. So, now you know what one of my major goals is- to shrink my menopot!! Oh... sidebar.... I decided not include a photo here.

Weekend Biking

It seems that most of my exercise this weekend was biking. I was down at the lake again on Saturday, and I rode for about 45 minutes. Then I was at our hunting camp with a friend, and we rode all the way to the river which was a fun ride. We went up and down hills, through the woods, dodging branches and pushing hard. We saw a mama deer with her baby fawn, an armadillo, some rabbits, and a red-headed woodpecker. We even waded out into the river. We rode yesterday and then again this morning. We rode on the road that leads to our camp, and it was a hard workout due to the sandy road. It was hard not to get bogged down in the sand. Today my gym was closed so there was no FF for me. I will say that my spinning class has really helped me to be a better bike rider on the road. Tomorrow it is back to work for me cleaning teeth, and back to spinning.

New Trainer

We have a new trainer on Fridays for our FF class. His name is Clint. He did a fantastic job today. We thought there was only going to be two in the class, but three more joined us that were running late. We did 5 stations of circuit training mainly working on our chest. I began my workout before the class started with an incline walk for 15 minutes. By the time class started, I was already sweating. By the time class was over, I was again... red-faced and my hair was dripping wet. Clint gave us a great workout! Yesterday I got to spin class early- remember I had to get on "my" bike. It was hard since it had been an entire week since I had been to spin class.
Today I am headed to the lake, and I am taking my bicycle with me. I hope to once again explore some of those country roads. With the gasoline prices the way they are, and since I live ten miles from town, I told my boss that I may be transporting my bicycle to town in my car and just run my errands in town all day on my bike. You think that would work? Or maybe I just need to leave an hour early and ride my bike to work. Then I could just quit my spinninng class. Hmmm.... it may just come to that for a bunch of us. Have a great Memorial Day weekend and remember what this Monday actually means. We do so enjoy our freedom that has come as the supreme sacrifice for men and women. May we all pray for those now who are serving our country and pray for their families as well.

Resistance Bands

Today at FF we used resistance bands. I did not know that you could get a good workout using the resistance bands. We worked our biceps, shoulders, and back with the bands. This is good to know because when you go out of town, you can easily pack these without adding weight to your bag. I am sure there are so many more exercises you can do with these bands. We only touched on them a small amount today because we were using dumbbells with our workout. I found out yesterday that while I was absent from spinning class someone new came and tried the class out and was on "my" bike. Of course, it is not my bike, but it looks like I better get up there tomorrow to establish my "territory". So.... I have a date with a bicycle at 6:00 a.m., and I am looking forward to it since I missed yesterday. You all get moving- summertime is almost here, and that means....shorts, sleeveless shirts, and .........swimsuits!!!

Yes... I Got to Swim

Yes... I finally made it to the swimming pool today. Since I do FF on MWF and Spinning on Tues Thurs, I have just not had the opportunity to swim. If I go swim, I either have to miss something or I have to do double duty. And lately, I have not had the energy to make it to both. So, today I missed my spinning class so I could make it to the pool. I enjoyed so much getting in the water today. I got in the pool about 6:15 a.m., and I swam for 30 minutes or so. I made it 28 laps. That is not alot for a swimmer, but it was right on target for me. I wanted to improve on my swimming, and I don't seem to be doing that. I really do need a swim coach to improve my technique. But you know I just don't want to stop the other things I am doing. The place where I swim is only open for a few hours a day to lap swimmers. With gasoline prices being the way they are, it is just not feasible for me to go exercise in the morning and then come back to town later in the evening to go swim. So, I guess I will just continue to throw in my swimming when I can.

Red-faced Me

I told my fitness fusion friends today that they could look at me and know how hard we worked out. Usually, I may sweat some, but never become red-faced at FF. Oh no, I save that for spinning days. The other members, unlike me, do not get red-faced. Whew..... I was very red-faced. We did lunges, squats, lifted weights, lifted our knees, whew... I am getting tired just relating it again. Anyway, my Monday has started off good with one day behind me of working out hard.

Dale as Buck

Okay, another Dale fan sent this to me, and I just had to add it. I got the series the Magnificent Seven from half.com. This western series only made it two seasons, but it had 7 men who shared the starring roles. Their characters all have distinct personalities, and they have been fun to watch. I guess when you get older, your interests change because ten years ago when this was on television, not only did I not watch much TV, but I also did not like westerns. Anyway... this is Buck.

My Favorite Actor

This is my favorite actor. His name is Dale Midkiff, and he has recently starred in the movies from the novels of Christian writer Janette Oke. I especially liked him in "Love Comes Softly". You can catch it on the Hallmark channel. He was in a television series ten years ago called the Magnificent Seven which was like a remake of the old movie from 1961. His character is Buck Wilmington, and I am just absolutely crazy about Buck. I think I like him so much because he reminds me of a younger version of my husband.

Gotta Get Moving

Oh gosh, what in the world was wrong with me this morning? Was I trying to come down with something? Was I just being lazy? This morning when I woke up, I was so sleepy even though I had gotten a good night's sleep. I laid on the sofa doing my Bible study. As I was reading, I would doze off. I would read some more, and then doze off. Finally, I said to myself, " I gotta get moving." I got dressed, got my tires aired up in my bike, got my water bottle, and took off. I really wanted to go further than what I did. I would say that I went about 12-13 miles. I went by myself on a new route. I already knew from friends that there were no dogs I was going to have to deal with. I had to get on a major farm/market road for sections of my ride. I think I am going to get a big red flag to go on the back of my bike so all vehicles will be sure and see me. Anyway, I did make myself get up and go. I missed my fitness fusion yesterday. You know you just sometimes cannot do everything you want to do. I had fun riding and did feel like I accomplished something even though I did not do a long ride.

Twenty years of Baseball Games

I have been attending my boys' baseball games for twenty years. I started in the spring of 1988 when this young man was 5 months old. It has been a wonderful time in my life. My family has so many memories due to our involvement with baseball. We went through T-ball, Pitching machine, Dixie boys, Dixie youth, three World Series, Dallas select ball, and college ball at three different junior colleges. Now, this one's baseball career has come to an end as he plans to finish his college education at a major university. The smile on his face does not show the feelings of his heart. This is the same for all of us when we go from one phase of life into another. We can look back and cherish the memories, but we must move forward to the new adventure that life has for us. I say thank you to my sons and daughter(she played softball) for all the great times we spent at the ballpark. I am sorry to see it end, but I know before too long I will be there cheering on my grandchildren. Well... I'll have a little break before that time.

More Swiss Ball

Xand is determined to get us better and better on the Swiss ball. We use it for planking- front planks, side planks- working our core. We also used an exercise on the ball that was one that we had done on the floor. The one on the floor is an exercise that the chiropractor encouraged me to do to strengthen my back. Now imagine getting on all fours, then lift your right arm straight out in front of you and your left leg straight out behind you. Hold this pose for as long as you can. You need to tighten your body- hold your belly button in and squeeze your rear. Now take it to the ball- you are laying on the ball with your belly button on the middle of the ball. You do the same exercise, lifting your right arm straight out in front and your left leg straight behind you, only now you are finding it more difficult to hold your balance. Hence- you are working your core! Then swap it out with the other arm and leg. You will get better and better at this the more that you do it. Anyway, it was a great workout. That was yesterday. Today was spinning. Yes, I worked hard; I panted; I sweated; I pushed myself; and I totally enjoyed knowing that I had successfully made it through another day of spinning!

Still Spinning

I am still spinning. It is so tempting to quit this class since I have to be there at 6:00 a.m. I had a hard time getting sleepy last night, so I was up until close to midnight. Then I had to get up before 5:00 so I can make it on time to my class. That means that I had a little over 5 hours sleep. But I worked hard today on that bike. Toward the end of the ride, Xand was having us gear-up and sprint hard for the last couple of minutes. I did exactly what he said. An hour after my workout, my heart rate was still at 97 beats per minute. I took my BP and pulse when I got to work. My body was still cooling itself by my perspiring. But having that hard workout had me pumped up for the day. Yea!! I felt good. You do that early morning workout and see how good you will feel. Quit my spinning?.....what am I thinking?????

A New Photo

And there you have it- a new photo-30 years later. We are actually standing in the same order as the other photo. Gosh, the years went and the pounds came- well for some of us. But we are so much wiser, and we still know how to have a good time. My friends- I say thank you for a great weekend.

I Was A Slacker

I would have to say that toward the end of the week, I was a slacker. I did not make it to spinning class on Thursday. I planned to swim later that afternoon, and I forgot my goggles at home. Then on Friday I went out of town. I did go for a walk on Saturday, but it was not brisk, and it was probably only a mile. Yesterday I was returning from being out of town, and so I missed my exercise yesterday. Count the days- Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun.... four days with little exercise. Not what I want. Today was FF and we did a boot camp workout. We spent some time on the treadmill walking at an incline and then we had about 8 stations of nonstop workout and then back on the treadmill and then back to the stations. This did get my heart rate up and had me sweating. Tomorrow is spinning class, and boy do I need it. It is not good to beat yourself up over missing exercise, but just to feel..... out of sorts...you know... like you need to wash your hair or you need to brush your teeth or you feel like you wore the wrong thing... you know... just out of sorts. So, I am going to go strong this week, maybe I can even get in an extra workout in the afternoon. This is Monday, and the beginning of a new workout week. Let's get busy and finish strong!!

The Three of Us-Together Again

The three of us were together again. This photo was taken over thirty years ago when we were in Acapulco as single young women. Can you find me? I posted this photo because I don't have one yet from this weekend. (Remember my camera is broken) But once again we were able to reunite on the beach- this time it was Crystal Beach on the Texas gulf. Years ago we not only went to Acapulco, but also to Puerto Vallerta. This was before husbands and kids. We all still have the original husbands- 30 years, 28 years, and 28 years. We have six children among the three of us, and we almost have them all grown. We just picked up like we always do with sunning, laughing, and game-playing. We had almost as much enthusiasm and energy as the two teenage girls with us (my friend's daughter and her friend) as we attended the 2008 crab festival. We watched the weiner dog races; rode the Tilt-A-Whirl, laughing until our sides hurt; ate curly fries, fried boudin, and shrimp on a stick; used the port-a-potties; and line danced to at least three different bands playing. Let me just say- we are not wild, we are pretty tame, but we definitely know how to enjoy a festival and have fun!! What memories we continue to make!!

Ahhhhh........Sleep

Ahhhhh.......Sleep. You don't appreciate how wonderful it is to get a good night's sleep until you are continually deprived of it. When women get older, I guess it is all the hormone fluctuation, they have a hard time getting a good night's sleep. Some of my friends have a hard time getting to sleep. Some of my friends have a hard time staying asleep. Many of my friends take some sort of sleep aide- from sleeping pills to Tylenol PM to Benadryl. Thus far, I have resolved to not take anything. This is not to mean that I am criticizing them. I just don't hardly take a pill for a headache. That is just me. And this does not mean that I won't finally take a sleep aide. But last night, I got a great night's sleep. I slept all night from 11:00 until 5:00 without waking up all night. It sounds like I am talking about a newborn baby. But women my age will certainly identify with what I am saying. So what do you do if you want a good night's sleep? Well from my own experience as well as from what I have read- no caffeine after lunch, no food for at least 3 hours before bedtime, think on pleasant things, and have an uncluttered bedroom. So this morning, when my alarm went off, I just cut it off. I was enjoying my sleep, and I just decided I would miss my spinning class. I hope to later make it to the pool and swim. But if I don't, I will not beat myself up. I will not let one day off affect my habit of exercise. Remember how I continually say to listen to your body. Well... my sluggish body of yesterday is telling my now rested body of today to take a break, and that is what I intend to do!

Do You Have Those Days?

Do you have those days when you are just tired? Today I have felt sluggish all day. I did make it to FF, and I had a great workout. I have now been at it going 5 days a week to the gym for about 15 weeks now. I seldom miss my workout. I am beginning to see some changes- more definition in my shoulders, arms, and quadriceps. Now I don't mean it is a big significant change- just slightly. And I was able to heave a 52 lb bag of dogfood into my car more easily than before. I was at Sam's and a young man was trying to get to me to help me with the dogfood when I said to him, " Thank you, but I already got it!" He arrived just a little too late. Now that is a good feeling- to be able to do for yourself. It is late, and tomorrow is spinning class at 6:00 am. I am wanting to go swim. I am thinking of skipping my spinning and going swimming. Today before my FF class I got on the treadmill. I was not walking fast, but rather pushing myself by increasing the incline. I was huffing and puffing. And maybe my sluggishness was due to getting up early, working out hard, and then working hard at work. You think? Okay, until tomorrow.

Worked Hard at Spinning

Today I worked hard at spinning. Would you believe that I am not in the first spinning class of the day? My class starts at 6:00 a.m., but there is a spinning class at 5:00 a.m. Can you imagine jumping out of bed and getting on a bicycle at 5:00 a.m.? Not me! I am having a hard enough time getting there at 6:00. But I am keeping with my committment to keep working hard at this spinning class. Does it get easier? Well... actually not easier because I push myself harder. It is a good feeling to know you are doing something good for your body- lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, lower triglycerides, lower fat percentage, more stamina, more muscle, more bone mass, and more confidence. Keep working hard and know that a healthy body is more than just losing weight.

I Kinda Blew It

Well, I kinda blew it. As in no exercise and over-eating this weekend. I was in the hill country this weekend and attended a beautiful wedding. The food of course was delicious. And on Friday night, I ate .....uh.....hmmm.......fried shrimp. Yes, it was fried, and the absolute best I have ever eaten. And exercise....well, I had no time. I wanted to climb Enchanted Rock on Sunday morning, but I did not get in from the wedding reception until late. I will have another opportunity to go to Fredricksburg, and when I do, I WILL climb Enchanted Rock. Today though, even though I was tired from the weekend, I was resolved to continue on; thus, I was at FF at 7:15. We worked our upper body. My shoulders were getting a workout. And we used the Swiss ball to work our chest. Definitely today we had a good workout. So, even if you are like me and you blow it, get back on track and don't give up.

Just A Note

This is just a note to say I won't be posting until Monday. Yesterday was another great day of spinning. You know you wake up early in the morning, and you don't feel like "jumping" out of bed and saying, "Oh boy, I am so excited about going to exercise." No, it is not that way. It is more like, " Oh gosh, I gotta get up and I don't want to." But once you get there and you get started, and you are with like-minded people and your trainer is pushing you on, you are saying, " yes, yes, I can do this, I can finish this, huff, huff." But today I am running late and will not get my exercise in unless I do it later this afternoon. Until Monday... have a great weekend.