My first thought when I heard "agility" was the dog agility stuff from playing NintenDogs. Last night at the gym, Melody brought out the speed/agility ladder - a basic rope ladder with plastic rungs. I did various stepping/hopping in and around the rungs, sideways, forward and back. I had to do lunges - 2 forward, 1 back. I also had to do push-ups - alternating between wide push-ups 3 spaces apart and narrow push-ups in a single space, moving all the way down the ladder and back.
All in all, it was rather fun. :) It was pretty cardiovascular too. I had to take a minute or so of a break towards the end to make sure I didn't over extend myself. With the last exercise of hopping 2 spaces forward and 1 space back, Melody threatened dire consequences if I hopped on the lines. I was getting pretty winded by then, but it's amazing how much a threat like that can force you to really focus on what you're doing. :)
I don't look at myself in the mirror all that much, and a lot of the clothes I wear now are stretchy so it's difficult for me to gauge if I've lost any weight. However, just this week I've had 2 friends tell me they can tell I'm losing weight. :D That's always a good sign! The first friend mentioned it while taking my measurements (for a Ren Faire costume...but that's for another post on another blog). The second friend asked me if I was still working out with a personal trainer, and then said that he could tell when he saw me today.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Shoujo binging
Lawrence, of all people, just recently got me hooked on some shoujo again. He watched Skip-Beat! at work and loved it because of the assertive female lead. I got hooked on it too...it's hilarious and has some great character development. That includes the female lead as well as the male leads and the minor characters that enter the story. There's a nice dose of romance and the bits about acting don't seem superfluous.
The first season of the anime just recently ended. I haven't seen any news of whether or not a second season will be coming. I soon after remembered that Lawrence mentioned it was an ongoing manga as well. I continued the story in the manga where the first season of the anime left off. It was so addicting I stayed up late into the morning just to continue reading it...
The mangaka is Nakamura Yoshiki who incidentally also created Tokyo Crazy Paradise. That was a great shoujo manga that I started reading 4-5 years ago. I never got to finish reading it, and now it seems that various groups have finished scanslating it.
The first season of the anime just recently ended. I haven't seen any news of whether or not a second season will be coming. I soon after remembered that Lawrence mentioned it was an ongoing manga as well. I continued the story in the manga where the first season of the anime left off. It was so addicting I stayed up late into the morning just to continue reading it...
The mangaka is Nakamura Yoshiki who incidentally also created Tokyo Crazy Paradise. That was a great shoujo manga that I started reading 4-5 years ago. I never got to finish reading it, and now it seems that various groups have finished scanslating it.
Muscles
For some reason, I think I get more sore when I work out with Melody on my own.
Last night when I was frogging my Multiplicity Sweater (way too big in the body). I took measurements of the pieces for reference when I redo it. I also took measurements of my body...just to see. That's when I flexed my arms and noticed that I could definitely feel the muscle. However, there's a sad sad layer of fat over it all.
On my days off I need to be doing a lot more cardio. I can't rely on just exercising 2 times a week.
Last night when I was frogging my Multiplicity Sweater (way too big in the body). I took measurements of the pieces for reference when I redo it. I also took measurements of my body...just to see. That's when I flexed my arms and noticed that I could definitely feel the muscle. However, there's a sad sad layer of fat over it all.
On my days off I need to be doing a lot more cardio. I can't rely on just exercising 2 times a week.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Normal exercises again
I forgot to post about last Thursday so I'll combine that with today's workout.
Last Thursday was a circuit -
Body weight cable exercises - You hold onto these cables that are attached to the top of one of the weight machines. They aren't attached to weights though. You're not moving weights up and down, you're moving your own body up and down. You control the difficulty through the angle at which you stand. The lower you lean, the harder it is.
Kettlebell press squats - We used the 8kg kettlebells for these. I saw them and thought, "Oh cute, we're using the baby ones!". After 20 kettlebell press squats on each side, they did not feel so small anymore. You swing (not lift) the kettlebell up to the chest and hold it there in a neutral position. Then you do a squat, and on your way up you extend your arm, pressing the kettlebell straight up.
Ab exercises on the rolling wheel of death - apparently its real name is the "fitwheel". Check out a video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3laF2XjZ0g.
The last exercise was on a BOSU ball. Lean all the way back on the ball and without using your hands, lift yourself up and off the ball to a standing position. Sit back down and lean back onto the ball again and repeat.
Today it was just me because Lawrence got sick -
We started with a lunge that turned into a step up onto a bench, and then a hop up. Step back down into the lunge, and repeat.
Next were one legged inchworm push-ups. You start standing up, with one leg lifted behind you. Keeping your standing leg straight, you bend over and put your hands on the ground. Inching forward with your hands, you move into a one-legged push-up position and do a push-up. Inch back with your hands and stand back up. Repeat alternating your legs.
Lastly I did more of those body weight cable exercises - bicep curls and the reverse. Melody is big on repeating an exercise using the "opposing" muscles. With the bicep curls, I stood facing the cables, leaning backwards, and lifted myself up, keeping my elbows down so my fists met my shoulders. For the reverse exercise, I stood leaning forward, facing away from the cables with my arms outstretched above/in front of me. I then had to bend my elbows so I leaned forward even further and my forearms were pointing behind me.
Last of all was a body weight cable exercise where I stood sideways holding the cable above my head with arms outstretched, leaning away from the cable. I had to bend sideways at my waist, away from the cable, and then bring my waist back to a straight position. This is always more difficult than it looks.
I can't wait to take a shower and cook some dinner now. :)
Last Thursday was a circuit -
Body weight cable exercises - You hold onto these cables that are attached to the top of one of the weight machines. They aren't attached to weights though. You're not moving weights up and down, you're moving your own body up and down. You control the difficulty through the angle at which you stand. The lower you lean, the harder it is.
Kettlebell press squats - We used the 8kg kettlebells for these. I saw them and thought, "Oh cute, we're using the baby ones!". After 20 kettlebell press squats on each side, they did not feel so small anymore. You swing (not lift) the kettlebell up to the chest and hold it there in a neutral position. Then you do a squat, and on your way up you extend your arm, pressing the kettlebell straight up.
Ab exercises on the rolling wheel of death - apparently its real name is the "fitwheel". Check out a video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3laF2XjZ0g.
The last exercise was on a BOSU ball. Lean all the way back on the ball and without using your hands, lift yourself up and off the ball to a standing position. Sit back down and lean back onto the ball again and repeat.
Today it was just me because Lawrence got sick -
We started with a lunge that turned into a step up onto a bench, and then a hop up. Step back down into the lunge, and repeat.
Next were one legged inchworm push-ups. You start standing up, with one leg lifted behind you. Keeping your standing leg straight, you bend over and put your hands on the ground. Inching forward with your hands, you move into a one-legged push-up position and do a push-up. Inch back with your hands and stand back up. Repeat alternating your legs.
Lastly I did more of those body weight cable exercises - bicep curls and the reverse. Melody is big on repeating an exercise using the "opposing" muscles. With the bicep curls, I stood facing the cables, leaning backwards, and lifted myself up, keeping my elbows down so my fists met my shoulders. For the reverse exercise, I stood leaning forward, facing away from the cables with my arms outstretched above/in front of me. I then had to bend my elbows so I leaned forward even further and my forearms were pointing behind me.
Last of all was a body weight cable exercise where I stood sideways holding the cable above my head with arms outstretched, leaning away from the cable. I had to bend sideways at my waist, away from the cable, and then bring my waist back to a straight position. This is always more difficult than it looks.
I can't wait to take a shower and cook some dinner now. :)
Monday, March 30, 2009
Born Again Proselytizer
I was sitting outside Starbucks today, eating my lunch, when a Born-Again Christian proselytizer began circulating the tables. He would ask people if they knew that Jesus died for their sins and would have them repeat a prayer after which their sins were now "forgiven". When he came to my table, he tried to give me a business card, but I sad "No thanks" and he left for the next table.
On the one hand, I'm glad he didn't try to pursue the issue with me any further. On the other hand, I'm kind of disappointed I didn't get to loudly declare my atheism at him. Everyone else has all these interesting stories...
On the one hand, I'm glad he didn't try to pursue the issue with me any further. On the other hand, I'm kind of disappointed I didn't get to loudly declare my atheism at him. Everyone else has all these interesting stories...
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Another tiring workout
Last night was another tiring workout
30 swings on each side with the sledgehammer. Last time we did circular swings where you bring the hammer behind you, over your head, and then down onto the tire in a circular motion. This time the swings were directly overhead. Starting with the sledgehammer straight in front of you, you bring it up and directly over your head, taking care not to hit yourself in the back, and then you swing it down straight in front of you again.
20 one handed swings on each side with the 26lb kettlebell.
15 reps on each side with the sandbag. I'm not sure how many pounds the sandbag was. First you pick up the sandbag by the "waist" and lunge forward. On the side of the leg that is bent behind you, you bring the sandbag forward, up, and around in as large of a circular motion as you can manage. Bring your forward leg back.
This time it was the sandbag exercise that was killer. I had to rest each time I finished 5 reps on each side. Lawrence agreed the sandbags did it for him as well. I could also tell I had a difficult time using my left hand on the sledgehammer swings. It was difficult to not have it rest against my head when it reached behind me.
30 swings on each side with the sledgehammer. Last time we did circular swings where you bring the hammer behind you, over your head, and then down onto the tire in a circular motion. This time the swings were directly overhead. Starting with the sledgehammer straight in front of you, you bring it up and directly over your head, taking care not to hit yourself in the back, and then you swing it down straight in front of you again.
20 one handed swings on each side with the 26lb kettlebell.
15 reps on each side with the sandbag. I'm not sure how many pounds the sandbag was. First you pick up the sandbag by the "waist" and lunge forward. On the side of the leg that is bent behind you, you bring the sandbag forward, up, and around in as large of a circular motion as you can manage. Bring your forward leg back.
This time it was the sandbag exercise that was killer. I had to rest each time I finished 5 reps on each side. Lawrence agreed the sandbags did it for him as well. I could also tell I had a difficult time using my left hand on the sledgehammer swings. It was difficult to not have it rest against my head when it reached behind me.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Muffin pictures
Here are some pictures I took of Muffin.
Sitting/sleeping on the star-shaped blanket I crocheted:
Playing with the bumble bee toy I knit:
Sitting/sleeping on the star-shaped blanket I crocheted:
Playing with the bumble bee toy I knit:
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