I don't know how it is that sometimes, I can run 9 miles with giraffe, and it's glorious, and then other times, I'm flailing all over the beach boardwalk, for 10 miles - and it's the worst thing ever. Seriously. I was all over the place, slowing down, acting like I'm having cardiac arrest issues, trying to get water from sprinklers that unexpectedly shoot mist at your crotch area, stumbling around bars because I lost the beach trail.
There was an episode where I thought I would run along the water, gracefully, and be all, one with the waves. Except it turned out running in the sand is hard, waves are faster than me, and sneaky. Also, running in the sand sideways sucks, and, in general, I would make a terrible, slow crab that would get picked off on the first day of being crab.
At the end of the beach there was an old guy playing harmonica, and I didn't realize that I ran up behind him, determined to touch the rock wall like there was a prize for it, and scared the shit out of him. He was knee deep in the water, being actually all - one with the waves, and I spoiled it. I still had 2 more miles to suffer, so I didn't even apologize properly. Sorry, old guy who almost lost his footing, and possibly harmonica. You were very good before I got there.
I finished off my conquest of the Kaanapali Beach weaving the golf course, even after I realized they had games going. I was still barefoot from the beach, I had tossed my shoes away by the hotel (because I thought running back to that point was going to be 10 miles and was wrong), and I figured the somewhat likely chance of black out via golf ball was still better than the much likelier chance of gouging feet on asphalt. My time: 2h, 6 minutes. But I walked all of mile 4, at 18 minute pace (the sun had risen and I wasn't prepared for it) so, really, it's better than it looks.
Then I soaked in the ocean immediately after, and lazy jogged a mile next morning (yesterday) to make sure I wasn't totally broken. And snorkeled, a lot, since I AM on vacation. I'm OK, it turns out. Amazing.
I was all but done with the running business, thinking I'd exchange it for snorkeling, until Mr Snork showed me a video of myself diving for sea glass. It's not pretty. It seems when I dive, I can never get either my ass or my flippers under water. I look kind of like my hands are stuck in the sand, AND I'm getting attacked by a very mean fish. Then I pop up, empty the mask, take a breath, and circle around looking for that piece I never did get, and it happens all over again. That sea glass jewelry business idea will have to wait.
Today I made myself run the charted 5 miles, and it was totally fine. All 53 minutes of it. My fastest 5 miles ever. I'm pleased. Pleased that I made myself go, that Mr Snork took Mouse duty and cheered me on, that I possibly burned off the half pound of Nutella I ate earlier, and that I I kept a pretty consistent 10:xx pace throughout. I mean, I was dying in the end, and that cursed golf course is always in the way, and is not lit up at night, and my Ipod does not light up sufficiently to avoid sand traps, but whatever. 10:xx minute miles times 5?! I should offer myself up for the Olympics. They'd be crazy to pass all this up.
On a side note, why is there a swarm of people in the gym, looking longingly at the sunset/sunrise/ocean through the giant, sad glass window, every time I ran past the fancy Hyatt? Come outside, people. Leave the concrete. Be one with nature.
Showing posts with label gym. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gym. Show all posts
18.4.12
6.5.10
5k Badassery
Giraffy and I did 3 miles last night, on the official June Corona Del Mar 5k course (hills and all). Our time was 3 minutes better than last time. Ha. So was our moving average.
Last year, giraffy and I used to do .5 mile on the elliptical and collapse into a hot tub with a beer, completely worn out, saying unflattering things about ellipticals, treadmills, and their relatives. We also did pretty slow and leaisurely walks on the peninsula, followed by a local serving establishment. I don't recall breaking much of a sweat ever. Except the one time, when we walked in the sand - then the sweating freaked us out and we immediately turned back, having only gone may be 1/4 mile past the beer.
We stepped it up with gym visits this year, and a really modified, relaxed 'Couch to 5K' program. Walk 90 seconds, run 30, swear a little while walking 90 seconds, rinse, repeat.
Now we meet to run practice 5k's. I'm so pleased and proud of us. Gym buddy system WIN! Yesterday we alternated walking and running a block. I think next week we'll try alternating running 2 blocks, walking one. I'll spring it on Giraffy and see how it pans out. Ha.
The significant others took off in a flurry of heels, and Mr Snork was last seen with a vicious calf/hamstring cramp combination (two different legs), and talking about Mr Giraffy "bouncing like Tigger". Haaa.
27.1.10
It's Hump Day!
Here's a small list of things I am currently excited about:
It being hump day, and the fact that I haven't called in sick to work yet. Or at all in, like, MONTHS.
My best friend is coming out to visit from Chicago. We've been friends since high school, and lived together in college, and have matching tattoos even, with our initials. I miss her.
Everlast Shadow Boxing at 24HourFitness (aka Jump Rope Till You Pass Out, and Then Throw a Couple Punches as You're Going Down In a Blackout) was (3d time) awesome, and for the first time today I participated 95% of the class. I was at about 60% first time and 75% second time. I can't drop down in a flurry of pushups just yet, but I can do 4-5 while she's counting 10. Last couple times I rolled around on the ground or stood around and drank water during pushups, jump rope, and a variety of other things she needs you to do while acting like you're on speed. Progress!!!
It only took me 2 tries in one eye and 3 in the other to put in contact lenses, and I didn't have glasses fogging up and bouncing on my nose during all the jumping/hopping/boxing/push uping. I don't wear contact lenses often, so it usually take me a half hour to wrestle them into my eyeballs, and then I look like i've been in a crying fit for the rest of the day. More progress!
Giraffy and I are heading to Big Bear this weekend, where us SoCal-ers can see some REAL snow!! YIHAW. I've been looking for a sled on Craigslist and Goodwill, but not so much.
The pants we dumpstered for Giraffy's anklebiter#2 FIT her!!! $2.25 snowboard pants. WIN. I've enjoyed actually having something specific to look for while 'dumpstering', and it's prevented me from bringing crap home. ($2 Clothing items are addicting)
If we didn't end up going to Big Bear, some friends are going dirt biking in the hills (Also in snow!). I love having weekend fun options, doing cool things, and having awesome friends to do them with. I am secretly hoping that we end up needing chains on the way to/from Big Bear, because giraffy delcared today she would not pay $30 for those road side men to put them on, and instead she will look up. Youtube videos. Of how to put chains. On a vehicle. With any luck and chain law in effect, I have some quality snowside entertainment coming.
While dropping off said pants, we got to partake in freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.
Jill at Bluebonnet Trails sent me some Shea Butter soap, and some Camommile Lavender Soap, and wicked good smelling wax tarts, and all just in time for my hair washing day (which is an exciting affair to beging with. Ever since this no 'poo experiment any time I get to wash my hair I'm happy like a mud puddle piglet)
Jesse downloaded "Keeping Up Appearances" for me,
and I am about to go watch a couple episodes and dissolve in a cup of tea..from my Royal Doulton with handpainted blue periwinkles.
(that last part only makes sense if you're also an avid Hyacinth Bucket fan)
It being hump day, and the fact that I haven't called in sick to work yet. Or at all in, like, MONTHS.
My best friend is coming out to visit from Chicago. We've been friends since high school, and lived together in college, and have matching tattoos even, with our initials. I miss her.
Everlast Shadow Boxing at 24HourFitness (aka Jump Rope Till You Pass Out, and Then Throw a Couple Punches as You're Going Down In a Blackout) was (3d time) awesome, and for the first time today I participated 95% of the class. I was at about 60% first time and 75% second time. I can't drop down in a flurry of pushups just yet, but I can do 4-5 while she's counting 10. Last couple times I rolled around on the ground or stood around and drank water during pushups, jump rope, and a variety of other things she needs you to do while acting like you're on speed. Progress!!!
It only took me 2 tries in one eye and 3 in the other to put in contact lenses, and I didn't have glasses fogging up and bouncing on my nose during all the jumping/hopping/boxing/push uping. I don't wear contact lenses often, so it usually take me a half hour to wrestle them into my eyeballs, and then I look like i've been in a crying fit for the rest of the day. More progress!
Giraffy and I are heading to Big Bear this weekend, where us SoCal-ers can see some REAL snow!! YIHAW. I've been looking for a sled on Craigslist and Goodwill, but not so much.
The pants we dumpstered for Giraffy's anklebiter#2 FIT her!!! $2.25 snowboard pants. WIN. I've enjoyed actually having something specific to look for while 'dumpstering', and it's prevented me from bringing crap home. ($2 Clothing items are addicting)
If we didn't end up going to Big Bear, some friends are going dirt biking in the hills (Also in snow!). I love having weekend fun options, doing cool things, and having awesome friends to do them with. I am secretly hoping that we end up needing chains on the way to/from Big Bear, because giraffy delcared today she would not pay $30 for those road side men to put them on, and instead she will look up. Youtube videos. Of how to put chains. On a vehicle. With any luck and chain law in effect, I have some quality snowside entertainment coming.
While dropping off said pants, we got to partake in freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.
Jill at Bluebonnet Trails sent me some Shea Butter soap, and some Camommile Lavender Soap, and wicked good smelling wax tarts, and all just in time for my hair washing day (which is an exciting affair to beging with. Ever since this no 'poo experiment any time I get to wash my hair I'm happy like a mud puddle piglet)
Jesse downloaded "Keeping Up Appearances" for me,
and I am about to go watch a couple episodes and dissolve in a cup of tea..from my Royal Doulton with handpainted blue periwinkles.
(that last part only makes sense if you're also an avid Hyacinth Bucket fan)
24.1.10
Gym Win (4x Week) and Hair Madness
Elliptistupidness and twice around circuit training. That'll teach me to drink margaritas and eat Trader Joe Joe's by the pound.
In other news, it is time for my weekly hair washing. Well, twice-a-weekly washing. I'm thinking of skipping the vinegar rinse this time and the next. I washed it last two times with some homemade soap from Bluebonnet Trails, and rinsed with vinegar. First time I wasn't sure about the soap, so I only used a bit. I didn't want to to spoil the grossnessfest by introducing something that might, *gasp* clean. No, but really, I wanted to make sure I'm not regressing back to shampoo-like stuff. But it didn't strip the hair, it didn't even dry out the hair as bad as baking soda. Last Wednesday I used plenty of soap (I missed suds) so I'm officially off baking soda and onto this soap thing. Which will also allow me to finally colour my hair again. The roots are ghastly.
I still have the Super Fancy Whole Foods conditioner, but I haven't really used it much. It's no Pantene, and as such, it seems useless. I want to see what soap alone does. The hair, as it is now is doing OK. They grey crap that was in it seems to have fallen off, travelled down the hair shaft, or however else it disappears. There's no longer mass amounts of it on my head, making me feel like a hobo. I noticed the hair doesn't get greasy on the front as it normally would by day 3 post wash, but it does in the back. Kind of opposite of what it used to be. Hopefully this back of the head business levels itself out. Any day now, I can picture just washing my hair with water. With water lillies and candles in the back ground. It's a well developed dream.
Meanwhile, the soap thing is kind of neat, since I can use it for hair and body and de-clutter my shower. It also is less likely to spill in my luggage, what with being a solid bar and all, or run amok all over my week's worth of clothing in my vehicle when camping. I wonder what the cost difference is, but I don't have any of the necessary data to run comparisons. I'm guessing it's probably cheaper. If it ever gets too expensive, I guess I can cut down the bathing to once a week and ration the soap.
Now I'm motivated to go raid the scary under the sink cabinet in the bathroom and toss some things out. Like the foundation that I haven't used since high school, but can't quite part with, you know..
22.1.10
Gym Is Finally A WIN
Granted, I ate today a bunch of Trader Joe's Joe Joes. If you don't know what that is, it's best for you. It's like cookie crack. I followed this up with a loaf of bread and a saucer of olive oil and garlic. So, the gym thing is kinda a wash, but not even, since I ate a lot more than 300 calories.
HOWEVER.
I was telling Heather, whom I plucked out of near nap to go to the gym
(it was her idea to begin with), that for the first time today, I got to the gym, stepped on the elliptical and didn't feel like I was fighting to stay upright and breathe by minute 5. We started ellipticalling this summer, though not very regularly, and I remember it was hard for us. HARD. By .75 of a mile we were both hoping the other is ready to quit. It was pretty theatrical up at Heather's apartment gym. But we weren't very consistent, which I think got in the way of us getting better.
We have been doing the gym thing for 4 weeks now, 3 times a week about. Jesse read somewhere that it takes 30 days of repeating behavior to form a habit. I felt today was a breakthrough. Not only did we get up, out of our warm house, stopped sewing (in my case) and made it to the gym, but it just felt right. After all, having eaten a loaf of bread for dinner, it really should feel right. I felt antsy after dinner.
Not only did gym feel like a natural part of the day, when we got there, and I hopped on the elliptical - even though I haven't really done it much, I felt fine. I didn't even sweat the first 5-7 minutes. Usually, by then I am trying to slither off it as gracefully as possible and go walk a treadmill or something less challenging. Like a beer by the pool.
I shared this with Heather, and she agreed, she's had a similar experience with running on treadmill this week. (Even though when she showed at the gym today, she acted like I had just skinned a favorite kitten of hers throughout most of the 'circuit trainin' deal.
But we're supposed to motivate each other, so she sucked it up eventually. I think. ) We haven't even made it to the treadmill portion of the gym in our class taking. By the time the classes are over we are tired, the legs are trembling, and we either hot tub or go home. We dare not try run before class, lest it causes us to collapse halfway through the class. And the classes still kick my ass, the 4th week in. It doesn't feel any easier. Doing lunges on one leg for what seems like an hour is still a sucky way to spend what feels like an hour. My favorite class so far is Everlast Shadow Boxing.
Like every other class, it wasn't at all what I expected. You don't get to punch stuff for an hour straight. Instead, for 40 minutes (with two 30 second water breaks) you "train like a boxer", which apparently involves jumping rope for 2 minutes, doing jumping jacks, 'mountain climbers', running like madman in one place, and generally acting like you're on crack, punctuated by a few 'boxing combos'. By the time the combos are introduced I'm about to ready to pass out from the rope jumping nonsense, so I flail around with my fists aimlessly. However, I see great potential. Two weeks ago I spent about a third of the class standing around, wondering if I can make an unnoticed exit. Last week it was only may be a fifth of the class. It's getting better.I haven't lost any weight, (can't be the Joe Joe's, can it?) But my body fat has gone done from 25.1 a month ago to 23.1 now, and I can spend a half hour on the elliptical, and feel good about it. I hope this post reminds me why it's important to keep this up - it is HARD to get back on the gym wagon once you fall off, even briefly. But when you're on, if feels AWESOME. Not to mention that I no longer send $20 to 24HourFitness just for giggles once every month, it's actually FOR something. WIN.
20.1.10
Yoga Mat Bag - Sewing Project
I forget which bet Mr Snork lost, but he ended up tagging along to the 24Hour Fitness classes with me one night when Giraffy couldn’t make it. Now he’s kinda hooked. I guess he thought that we just flail around aimlessly in there, and trade eyeliner tips for an hour. Then he came, sweated for an hour like a squirrel in heat, found out he couldn’t hold a plank as well as the ladies, and rolled around on the floor with a towel over his face during the whole Abs session (aka 15 Minutes of Shame and Drama), and spent an hour of Yoga laying flat on his belly. There may have been some movement, but it wasn’t discernible.
Well, now we’re on this 3 days a week kick, and classes seem to be the only sure way to get us there, and he goes to class, because it probably makes him work harder than he would otherwise. (I saw that bicycle thing he pedals – padded armrests? Really?) And we try to shuffle clubs and schedules go on days that end in Yoga, it's a really nice way to end stupid work out madness.
Anyway, because of a severe global lack of manly yoga mats (I mean, they’re out there, but, $60?) he got the purple one I had, I got a pink one, and I am sewing him a yoga bag so he can look all manly, like he’s just passing on his way to some Big Boy Weights, and happened to accidentally stop in Yoga. Until he gets him a manly mat. Plus, it is a gray, rainy, cold Southern California this week, and perfect for crafts.
I had some manly upholstery weight camouflage fabric in my stash, and some black mystery fabric I had used to line the back of my bookshelves (I guess Ikea didn’t wanna spring for the plywood backing on this particular model).
I eyeballed yoga bags online, and then came across a couple free patterns. I liked Amy Butler's designs, which you can download for free here. I like her fabrics, too.
I like the wide strap (manly-ness potential) and the lining inside makes it look less 'homemade' and more finished. I think I'll make another one for me, in pretty flowery/lizardy/froggy fabrics.
It calls for the main piece to be 19x27, but I cut a 20x35, because I want it to be a little looser, and with enough room on top to fashion a drawstring or some sort of other closure. Amy’s pattern leaves the bag open, which is also OK.
The main outside pocket (I thought was nifty) I cut 20x15 (Instead of 19 x 12) the liner as well, but didn’t divide in 3 equal parts, it would make deep and narrow pockets, that would be a pain to fish keys/cell phone out of. I eyeballed into something like 1.25/.75 width ratio to the total width and made two pockets.
I was really hoping it would be a one night project, but because I eyeballed a lot of measurements instead of measuring, the piecing together became tedious.
I made the strap – 14” width, 35” length, folded in half, then in half again, and sewed along that middle crease. The idea is to turn it inside out. I wanted to center my seam, but if you don't feel like spending 10 minutes turning stuff inside out, you can also just fold the wrong sides together, and fold again the two edges in toward the center (makes 4 layers of fabric) and stitch the strap closed .25” from edge, and run another .25” edge seam on the other side for symmetry.
I attached the wrong side of the Camo Fabric to liner, and stitched .5” seam along top edge. This will be top edge of pocket, if you were using a fabric pattern where it mattered. Turned the right sides out, press flat, and mashine baste .25” edges to attach panels. Then I attached pocket to right side of bottom main panel.
After the pocket is attached, I sewed the main panel shut (right sides together, then turned inside out), and stuck the lucky yoga mat in there to make sure it fits.
I spent a good half hour cutting out circles of various wrong diameter, and eventually settled on the least butchered one. (Yeah, I do all my drafting right on my carpet..)
Basted it in place, learned it was 4” too big (all the way around, if you were competent, it would have been readily apparent before any stitching took place), and took out the stitches. Got the very first circle I cut, that I had deemed too small, and tried it again.
The bottom edge of the ‘bag’ has to be notched, to allow flaring to fit the circle bottom. It didn’t look pretty but it worked.
By the time I basted the second bottom onto the bag, it was 1am. It occurred to me I’ll have to, at least partially, take the basting stitches out to attach the strap (between main panel center seam and bottom).
But I turned it inside out, stuck the yoga mat in there again, and it looked pretty cool, so I’m pleased. I wish I had a "right side out' picture that was a little more aesthetically pleasing, but..alas.
I will figure out today what kind of closing contraption I want on top, and hopefully finish it tonight. I got hooks and a drawstring.. I’m thinking I’ll stitch the strap to the top, fold the top inward, stitch around, and then attach another tube piece – extended the top above the strap, and drawstring that. This way, the strap will be below the strap – the strap plus any layers of the main panel is really thick to sew through for drawstringing and such.
Tonight - Shadow Boxing, Abs, Turbo Kick, and Yoga! (for now, without a bag for Jesse, but hopefully next week he'll be in style and making all the other [1-2] men jealous of his homemade gym stuff.
Well, now we’re on this 3 days a week kick, and classes seem to be the only sure way to get us there, and he goes to class, because it probably makes him work harder than he would otherwise. (I saw that bicycle thing he pedals – padded armrests? Really?) And we try to shuffle clubs and schedules go on days that end in Yoga, it's a really nice way to end stupid work out madness.
Anyway, because of a severe global lack of manly yoga mats (I mean, they’re out there, but, $60?) he got the purple one I had, I got a pink one, and I am sewing him a yoga bag so he can look all manly, like he’s just passing on his way to some Big Boy Weights, and happened to accidentally stop in Yoga. Until he gets him a manly mat. Plus, it is a gray, rainy, cold Southern California this week, and perfect for crafts.
I had some manly upholstery weight camouflage fabric in my stash, and some black mystery fabric I had used to line the back of my bookshelves (I guess Ikea didn’t wanna spring for the plywood backing on this particular model).
I eyeballed yoga bags online, and then came across a couple free patterns. I liked Amy Butler's designs, which you can download for free here. I like her fabrics, too.
I like the wide strap (manly-ness potential) and the lining inside makes it look less 'homemade' and more finished. I think I'll make another one for me, in pretty flowery/lizardy/froggy fabrics.
It calls for the main piece to be 19x27, but I cut a 20x35, because I want it to be a little looser, and with enough room on top to fashion a drawstring or some sort of other closure. Amy’s pattern leaves the bag open, which is also OK.
The main outside pocket (I thought was nifty) I cut 20x15 (Instead of 19 x 12) the liner as well, but didn’t divide in 3 equal parts, it would make deep and narrow pockets, that would be a pain to fish keys/cell phone out of. I eyeballed into something like 1.25/.75 width ratio to the total width and made two pockets.
I was really hoping it would be a one night project, but because I eyeballed a lot of measurements instead of measuring, the piecing together became tedious.
I made the strap – 14” width, 35” length, folded in half, then in half again, and sewed along that middle crease. The idea is to turn it inside out. I wanted to center my seam, but if you don't feel like spending 10 minutes turning stuff inside out, you can also just fold the wrong sides together, and fold again the two edges in toward the center (makes 4 layers of fabric) and stitch the strap closed .25” from edge, and run another .25” edge seam on the other side for symmetry.
I attached the wrong side of the Camo Fabric to liner, and stitched .5” seam along top edge. This will be top edge of pocket, if you were using a fabric pattern where it mattered. Turned the right sides out, press flat, and mashine baste .25” edges to attach panels. Then I attached pocket to right side of bottom main panel.
After the pocket is attached, I sewed the main panel shut (right sides together, then turned inside out), and stuck the lucky yoga mat in there to make sure it fits.
I spent a good half hour cutting out circles of various wrong diameter, and eventually settled on the least butchered one. (Yeah, I do all my drafting right on my carpet..)
Basted it in place, learned it was 4” too big (all the way around, if you were competent, it would have been readily apparent before any stitching took place), and took out the stitches. Got the very first circle I cut, that I had deemed too small, and tried it again.
The bottom edge of the ‘bag’ has to be notched, to allow flaring to fit the circle bottom. It didn’t look pretty but it worked.
By the time I basted the second bottom onto the bag, it was 1am. It occurred to me I’ll have to, at least partially, take the basting stitches out to attach the strap (between main panel center seam and bottom).
But I turned it inside out, stuck the yoga mat in there again, and it looked pretty cool, so I’m pleased. I wish I had a "right side out' picture that was a little more aesthetically pleasing, but..alas.
I will figure out today what kind of closing contraption I want on top, and hopefully finish it tonight. I got hooks and a drawstring.. I’m thinking I’ll stitch the strap to the top, fold the top inward, stitch around, and then attach another tube piece – extended the top above the strap, and drawstring that. This way, the strap will be below the strap – the strap plus any layers of the main panel is really thick to sew through for drawstringing and such.
Tonight - Shadow Boxing, Abs, Turbo Kick, and Yoga! (for now, without a bag for Jesse, but hopefully next week he'll be in style and making all the other [1-2] men jealous of his homemade gym stuff.
5.1.10
Gym Win, No Poo Fail
Few things to address today.
24Hr Yoga yesterday – awesome. Nice, beginner, explaining all the positions, none of which required to have your foot tucked behind your ear. Something to do with the beginning of the year. The 24 CORE class, was like the SET class that about did me in. It was like SET on crack. It never stopped. There was a lot of high speed step jumping while weight lifting. I was near delirious by the end of it, and didn’t even notice I was trickered into the following Abs class. Or may be I was just so excited to finally lay down on the floor, that I forgot to look at the clock.
No Poo Day 3. In case you weren’t aware, I read online, and thought it a good idea to try a no shampoo routine.
Well, I couldn’t NOT wash my hair after thrashing around the gym class floor for two hours, so I did a water only wash. After all, it’s called the No Shampoo Method. Not the “No Wash Method”. But since the hair has been feeling nice and straw like, I skipped the vinegar rinse, and instead did conditioner rinse for the ends.
Let me tell you, it is not clean today. I mean. It’s not filthy. But it ain’t clean. And I scrubbed, or ‘massaged’ in little circles, and everything. It looks a little cleaner than 3 days post wash normally would. But not by much.
I don’t have dandruff or anything, so that helps. But it has that.. faintly greasy feeling. You know, like if something washed it, but didn’t use shampoo.. It helps that I have bangs. Those seem to have washed well. So, the front of my face is nice and fluffy. ‘Fluffy’, is what the hair is doing. You might call it volume. I guess. I don’t.
In addition to this, I braided it today, and it looks like it might have to stay braided to avoid knots. It’s got a funny texture. If they made an Herbal Essences for my hair, it’d be “Fluffy, Dry, Super Prone to Knotty”. I’m pretty suspicious of it, actually. This morning, it seemed like while I was trying to brush one side of my head, the other side was carefully weaving itself into a doily. I should have cut the hair before this little experiment. But I can’t give up now. I will venture forth, for now.
I’m torn between keeping up this baking soda wash (which will actually clean) and doing a conditioner rise only. I feel like baking soda might win. May be baking soda AND conditioner rinse. Cause, I can only sport the Heidi hairstyle for so long. The only catch is the Super Duper Conditioner (Whole Foods, $11, small bottle) is silicone free. . Which, apparently means it’s not slippery (it’s really not). So, on the bright side – it washes out easily. On the down side – you know that nice, slippery feeling your hair gets after a good dose of Pantene? Yeah. Not so much.
24Hr Yoga yesterday – awesome. Nice, beginner, explaining all the positions, none of which required to have your foot tucked behind your ear. Something to do with the beginning of the year. The 24 CORE class, was like the SET class that about did me in. It was like SET on crack. It never stopped. There was a lot of high speed step jumping while weight lifting. I was near delirious by the end of it, and didn’t even notice I was trickered into the following Abs class. Or may be I was just so excited to finally lay down on the floor, that I forgot to look at the clock.
No Poo Day 3. In case you weren’t aware, I read online, and thought it a good idea to try a no shampoo routine.
Well, I couldn’t NOT wash my hair after thrashing around the gym class floor for two hours, so I did a water only wash. After all, it’s called the No Shampoo Method. Not the “No Wash Method”. But since the hair has been feeling nice and straw like, I skipped the vinegar rinse, and instead did conditioner rinse for the ends.
Let me tell you, it is not clean today. I mean. It’s not filthy. But it ain’t clean. And I scrubbed, or ‘massaged’ in little circles, and everything. It looks a little cleaner than 3 days post wash normally would. But not by much.
I don’t have dandruff or anything, so that helps. But it has that.. faintly greasy feeling. You know, like if something washed it, but didn’t use shampoo.. It helps that I have bangs. Those seem to have washed well. So, the front of my face is nice and fluffy. ‘Fluffy’, is what the hair is doing. You might call it volume. I guess. I don’t.
In addition to this, I braided it today, and it looks like it might have to stay braided to avoid knots. It’s got a funny texture. If they made an Herbal Essences for my hair, it’d be “Fluffy, Dry, Super Prone to Knotty”. I’m pretty suspicious of it, actually. This morning, it seemed like while I was trying to brush one side of my head, the other side was carefully weaving itself into a doily. I should have cut the hair before this little experiment. But I can’t give up now. I will venture forth, for now.
I’m torn between keeping up this baking soda wash (which will actually clean) and doing a conditioner rise only. I feel like baking soda might win. May be baking soda AND conditioner rinse. Cause, I can only sport the Heidi hairstyle for so long. The only catch is the Super Duper Conditioner (Whole Foods, $11, small bottle) is silicone free. . Which, apparently means it’s not slippery (it’s really not). So, on the bright side – it washes out easily. On the down side – you know that nice, slippery feeling your hair gets after a good dose of Pantene? Yeah. Not so much.
4.1.10
Thx, Salvation Army!
Jesse says he saw it first.
Which would make sense, since he’s probably tired of getting beat up. Ever since I got my awesome pink gloves, whenever I get froggy, (and because he decided NOT to get the matching catch mitts) I get to throw 'combos' at his palms. He doesn't like it much, cause I tend to stare at his face instead of his palms, and we both agree it's an accident waiting to happen.
I’ve been looking on Craigslist and haven’t found anything this awesome. It’s brand new, in a box, and I’m pretty skeptical, but Jesse seems to think all parts are there. To be fair, the stuff didn’t look like it had been taken out. Everything was folded, manual, etc, factory style. UPS shipping label from 07. Someone must have had this sit in their garage for a looong time before deciding it’s not for them. May be they just could never find an awesome pair of pink gloves. Who knows. I had Jesse drag it home and start the set up.
UPDATE: ALL parts are there, the bag is sturdy and all types of brand new. $16.75!!! And now, I can use an enourmous piece of purple fabric I had picked up at a garage sale for no reason at all - to sew a cover for the bag! (It is housed on the back porch, and we get lots of dust that comes with living really close to the airport) I'm thinking, may be even applique flowers. And something menacing written in glitter glue.
This and a Gap silk pink/purple reversible halter top for 2.99 –half off. To go with Gap silk skirt of last week??! Win. I have a serious crush on the Harbor St Salvation Army.
Also seen but vetoed: a pair of sconces. I proposed I fill the glass cones with pebbles and seashells. May be a seahorse, when one comes available, and a candle? No dice. To be fair, we *are* running out of wall space.
Now that I have something other than Jesse to beat up, I figured it's about time I study up on this boxing business. I googled and came up with www.muscleandstrength.com where a helpful chap called Buck091 had written the following:
Stance
There are many different types of stances and all are tailor made to suit each boxer but a boxer can only figure out what stance suits him best by the old tried and tested method of trial and error. But for the sake of this thread the basic Stance is as follows:
Legs shoulder-width apart and the rear foot a half-step behind the lead foot. Right-handed or orthodox boxers lead with the left foot and fist. Both feet are pointed slightly inward, and the right heel is off the ground. The lead fist is held vertically about six inches in front of the face at eye level. The rear fist is held beside the chin and the elbow tucked against the ribcage to protect the body. The chin is tucked into the chest to avoid punches to the jaw
Punches
jab A quick, straight punch thrown with the lead hand from the guard position, thrown via a small rotation of the torso and hips as the fist rotates 90 degrees becoming horizontal on impact. This punch is the first punch you will ever learn and by far the most important as it can be used for many different situations and needs such as a lead punch for a powerful combo or simpily as a range finder.
Cross/Back Hand
Considered the main power punch, thrown as a straight punch with the back hand from your gaurd in a straight line. The rear shoulder is thrust forward and finishes just touching the outside of the chin. At the same time, the lead hand is retracted and tucked against the face to protect the inside of the chin. For additional power, the torso and hips are rotated counter-clockwise as the cross is thrown. Weight is also transferred from the rear foot to the lead foot. the cross is usually the punch that follows a job in the classic one-two combo
Hook
A looping punch thrown with either hand to the side of an oppenents head. from the guard position, the elbow is drawn back with a horizontal fist (knuckles pointing forward) and the elbow bent. The rear hand is tucked firmly against the jaw to protect the chin. The torso and hips are rotated clockwise, propelling the fist through a tight, clockwise arc across the front of the body and connecting with the target
Uppercut
A vertical, rising punch thrown mainly with the rear hand. Uppercuts require a loading move back to get good power so its best if they follow a shot like a hook. revious shot loads the waist (cocking back), rotate from the waist, fist should come up right under the jaw can be slid up an oppenents chest, palm facing back to them on fist hitting chin and don’t let the shot makeyouself too open, need to stay hunched over as the arm flies up.
It's gonna be epic. This, and the Core Class I am attending tonight at 24Hour, going into Week2 of class terribleness.
Which would make sense, since he’s probably tired of getting beat up. Ever since I got my awesome pink gloves, whenever I get froggy, (and because he decided NOT to get the matching catch mitts) I get to throw 'combos' at his palms. He doesn't like it much, cause I tend to stare at his face instead of his palms, and we both agree it's an accident waiting to happen.
I’ve been looking on Craigslist and haven’t found anything this awesome. It’s brand new, in a box, and I’m pretty skeptical, but Jesse seems to think all parts are there. To be fair, the stuff didn’t look like it had been taken out. Everything was folded, manual, etc, factory style. UPS shipping label from 07. Someone must have had this sit in their garage for a looong time before deciding it’s not for them. May be they just could never find an awesome pair of pink gloves. Who knows. I had Jesse drag it home and start the set up.
UPDATE: ALL parts are there, the bag is sturdy and all types of brand new. $16.75!!! And now, I can use an enourmous piece of purple fabric I had picked up at a garage sale for no reason at all - to sew a cover for the bag! (It is housed on the back porch, and we get lots of dust that comes with living really close to the airport) I'm thinking, may be even applique flowers. And something menacing written in glitter glue.
This and a Gap silk pink/purple reversible halter top for 2.99 –half off. To go with Gap silk skirt of last week??! Win. I have a serious crush on the Harbor St Salvation Army.
Also seen but vetoed: a pair of sconces. I proposed I fill the glass cones with pebbles and seashells. May be a seahorse, when one comes available, and a candle? No dice. To be fair, we *are* running out of wall space.
Now that I have something other than Jesse to beat up, I figured it's about time I study up on this boxing business. I googled and came up with www.muscleandstrength.com where a helpful chap called Buck091 had written the following:
Stance
There are many different types of stances and all are tailor made to suit each boxer but a boxer can only figure out what stance suits him best by the old tried and tested method of trial and error. But for the sake of this thread the basic Stance is as follows:
Legs shoulder-width apart and the rear foot a half-step behind the lead foot. Right-handed or orthodox boxers lead with the left foot and fist. Both feet are pointed slightly inward, and the right heel is off the ground. The lead fist is held vertically about six inches in front of the face at eye level. The rear fist is held beside the chin and the elbow tucked against the ribcage to protect the body. The chin is tucked into the chest to avoid punches to the jaw
Punches
jab A quick, straight punch thrown with the lead hand from the guard position, thrown via a small rotation of the torso and hips as the fist rotates 90 degrees becoming horizontal on impact. This punch is the first punch you will ever learn and by far the most important as it can be used for many different situations and needs such as a lead punch for a powerful combo or simpily as a range finder.
Cross/Back Hand
Considered the main power punch, thrown as a straight punch with the back hand from your gaurd in a straight line. The rear shoulder is thrust forward and finishes just touching the outside of the chin. At the same time, the lead hand is retracted and tucked against the face to protect the inside of the chin. For additional power, the torso and hips are rotated counter-clockwise as the cross is thrown. Weight is also transferred from the rear foot to the lead foot. the cross is usually the punch that follows a job in the classic one-two combo
Hook
A looping punch thrown with either hand to the side of an oppenents head. from the guard position, the elbow is drawn back with a horizontal fist (knuckles pointing forward) and the elbow bent. The rear hand is tucked firmly against the jaw to protect the chin. The torso and hips are rotated clockwise, propelling the fist through a tight, clockwise arc across the front of the body and connecting with the target
Uppercut
A vertical, rising punch thrown mainly with the rear hand. Uppercuts require a loading move back to get good power so its best if they follow a shot like a hook. revious shot loads the waist (cocking back), rotate from the waist, fist should come up right under the jaw can be slid up an oppenents chest, palm facing back to them on fist hitting chin and don’t let the shot makeyouself too open, need to stay hunched over as the arm flies up.
It's gonna be epic. This, and the Core Class I am attending tonight at 24Hour, going into Week2 of class terribleness.
1.1.10
24 S.E.T. Class - Gym Part Trois
This class did me in. I can hardly move, still, two days later. Specifically, I can't not climb in or out of the truck, walk up the stairs (down is impossible), or sit down. Yes, that's right. I can't SIT. Every tiem I try, I have a flashback to walk-squatting like a herd of dumbell outfitted ducks across the gym floor, and cringe.
I don't know what happened. The abs are fine, but the legs and the ass are done for. I mean, I'd been walking, and using my thighmaster, and doing squats, with my weight vest even. And, all that, I am as sore as if I'd never, ever, used a muscle on my body.
What is more disturbing is the area and depth of soreness indicates a bigger problem. I think there's a good chance, if I keep up this workout I will fully develop giant, woolly mammoth thighs and ass. Did you see Ice Age? Yeah, like that view of them walking from behind. I can feel it.
The abs - hurt not at all - because - TADA! I have none. I knew this. My little potbelly is evidence. I thought, may be, there are muscles underneath. I was wrong. They had dissolved, or migrated straight to my behind.
This little problem is compounded by my decision to pursue yoga. More than anything, I was one too drinks too many into a night, and butthurt that every one but me can put their leg either behind, or very close to behind their head. It must be fixed. And my inner thighs, hamstrings, whathave yous are ALL paying the price.
I don't know what happened. The abs are fine, but the legs and the ass are done for. I mean, I'd been walking, and using my thighmaster, and doing squats, with my weight vest even. And, all that, I am as sore as if I'd never, ever, used a muscle on my body.
What is more disturbing is the area and depth of soreness indicates a bigger problem. I think there's a good chance, if I keep up this workout I will fully develop giant, woolly mammoth thighs and ass. Did you see Ice Age? Yeah, like that view of them walking from behind. I can feel it.
The abs - hurt not at all - because - TADA! I have none. I knew this. My little potbelly is evidence. I thought, may be, there are muscles underneath. I was wrong. They had dissolved, or migrated straight to my behind.
This little problem is compounded by my decision to pursue yoga. More than anything, I was one too drinks too many into a night, and butthurt that every one but me can put their leg either behind, or very close to behind their head. It must be fixed. And my inner thighs, hamstrings, whathave yous are ALL paying the price.
30.12.09
Yoga Class - 24HourFitness Part Deux
I don't know about you, but when I think of yoga, I imagine a lot of breathing and sitting on my ass. I thought it was odd they made a class of it at 24 Hour Fitness, and not, say, at the place that does my nails, but who am I to judge.
The yoga clases start at an attractive after-dinner 7:30pm, and I really felt like I needed vindication after the Monday Pilates disaster. We thoughtfully prepared an after dinner.. nightcap, if you will, for the hot tub, and set out to get knee deep into yoga.
I have never spent so much time giggling on the floor of a class. I thought pilates was bad. It didn't occur to me that someone would devise a class that centered around spending a solid half hour on one foot. Every time I looked in the mirror, I giggled. The time the instructor chick requested 10 push ups having just spent 10 minutes on my palms and a left foot in 'plank' I was in giggle seizures. Heather did a little better than me. She can do the "Hovering Hamster"* pose and flip me off simultaneously.
And, the "Dancing Sheba" pose? Seriously? If I was able to 'cradle my foot' and stretch it out at a 90' angle to my other leg, and hold it parallel to the floor for an indefinite amount of time, maintaining balance and a pleasant facial expression, there would have been a lot more poles, heels, and cash in my future.
The yoga clases start at an attractive after-dinner 7:30pm, and I really felt like I needed vindication after the Monday Pilates disaster. We thoughtfully prepared an after dinner.. nightcap, if you will, for the hot tub, and set out to get knee deep into yoga.
I have never spent so much time giggling on the floor of a class. I thought pilates was bad. It didn't occur to me that someone would devise a class that centered around spending a solid half hour on one foot. Every time I looked in the mirror, I giggled. The time the instructor chick requested 10 push ups having just spent 10 minutes on my palms and a left foot in 'plank' I was in giggle seizures. Heather did a little better than me. She can do the "Hovering Hamster"* pose and flip me off simultaneously.
And, the "Dancing Sheba" pose? Seriously? If I was able to 'cradle my foot' and stretch it out at a 90' angle to my other leg, and hold it parallel to the floor for an indefinite amount of time, maintaining balance and a pleasant facial expression, there would have been a lot more poles, heels, and cash in my future.
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