One of the few perks of my job is lunchtime 1-hour exercise classes. They're held in our company gym. Monday is kickboxing (the instructor was on the USA kickboxing team in the last Olympics). Tuesday is yoga. Wednesday is free weights. Thursday is step/cardio. Friday is free weights again.
Whether or not I have the time to take them is another issue. On a good week, I go to the Monday and Friday classes. The rest: Feh. I'd rather run. Plus, I'm not a yoga girl. I've tried it a few times (including the supposedly cardio Bikram or "hot yoga"), and each time, I thought, "Nice. But not a workout."
Work That Body: Yesterday, I tried the step/cardio class for the first time. I didn't have time to run after work, so this would be a fair substitute. Or so I thought. We had a new instructor, an amiable African-American woman in her 40's. The routine was pretty slow, akin to Richard Simmons' "Sweatin' To The Oldies."
Okay, it wasn't that bad. I made the routine harder by jumping instead of merely stepping. And I added two risers to my step, which also made the routine more challenging. But one could tell that the instructor was more used to teaching soft, middle-aged or older women rather than energetic 20-and 30-somethings.
Make It Count: When I work out, whether it's running, swimming, lifting weights, et cetera, I don't want to kill myself. But I want to make the hour or two I work out count. I want to hurt. I want to sweat. I want to feel my muscles contract and release.
Yes, just getting to the gym, or the trail, or the pool, is half the challenge. But that's only half. Then it's up to you to get your blood moving.
Chill: I've just read over this post. And I think I need to forgo that second cup of coffee.
Hi Bex,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments about my going back to school. Unfortunately i have to get my butt up at the crack of dawn, but it will be worth it!
Yeah, it sucks that Alan did not want to co-sign for me, but I guess he didn't want to be stuck as a co-signer after I left school, but I told him I would take his name off eventually. Oh, well. Men. You can never figure them out. It's not like I was going to buy an expensive new car or something.
I haven't worked out in years! I'm ashamed to say I haven't. I'm considering getting a membership to Curves. There's one down the street from where I live. A girl from the bookstore gave me a coupon for a free week. I would just have to figure out how I can fit it into my schedule first.
No offense but you need to chill and have a drink. Do you ever go out with friends...do anything other than workout? Try it sometime...I highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteHeh, heh. When do we get kickboxing pics of you beating the crap out of a kickbag?
ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree about wanting to make it count. I like my heart rate at a pace where I'm feeling it on cardio days. If I get off them machine and I'm not sweating and kinda shakey in the knees, then maybe I was watching TV too much.