Last night's workout was a kettlebell circuit.
20 double-handed swings with the 16kg kettlebell.
20 single-handed swings with the 16kg kettlebell on the right arm.
20 single-handed swings with the 16kg kettlebell on the left arm.
20 single-handed swings with the 16kg kettlebell, alternating arms by switching off at the apex of each swing.
20 double swings with an 8kg kettlebell in each hand, alternating arms each swing.
15 push-up/kettlebell lifts using the 12kg kettlebells. With hands on the kettlebells, jump feet back into push-up position. Do a push-up, jump feet forward and stand up, lifting the kettlebells. Rinse & repeat.
15 alternating presses with the 8kg kettlebells. "Clean" both kettlebells to the chest/shoulder (this is a technique that brings the kettlebell up in one smooth motion without hurting your wrist). Alternating pressing each kettlebell straight up.
15 suitcase squats with two 16kg kettlebells.
15 on each leg of....I forget what this one was called. I think it was using two 8kg kettlebells. Keep your back and leg straight while bending forward and lifting one leg up behind you. The kettlebells hang straight down from your shoulder. What it makes me think of is that my standing leg is a fulcrum, and my body and leg together act as a lever (thus must stay straight and in line with each other). On one end of the lever, the kettlebells are pulling me down so the other end of the lever must go up.
There was supposed to be one more exercise (15 rows on each arm with a kettlebell) but I took too many breaks and didn't have enough time. Still, this workout was killer. I'm feeling it already today and tomorrow will be even worse. x_x
Yesterday morning when I woke up, I got a piercing cramp in my right calf. Surprisingly it didn't bother me during exercise. I could feel it afterward though.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Aerial Fitness
I saw a listing on Yelp for a Trapeze school once and thought that looked cool, if a bit scary. On Ravelry, I just read about someone taking a "silks" class. That's like the cirque du soleil thing where people wrap themselves up in the fabric that hangs from the ceiling and they do cool poses while hanging in midair. Apparently you can take classes for that too. I did a quick search and found this place in Eagle Rock (which is really close to me!!): http://www.focusfish.com/
They've got aerial fitness classes on Saturdays as well as a workout that uses circus props. It's only $10-$20 for one hour so I'd love to give that a try sometime.
I still need to take some time to go check out the archery range on a Saturday morning - maybe this weekend before I go to the Renaissance Faire. :) They have classes 9am-11am, and the first one is free. They ask for a $5 donation for subsequent classes. If you're interested, and have instructor approval, you can sign up for their Basic Archery Instruction Program. It's a 6 week class that meets every Saturday and costs $60. At $10 a class, that is super cheap!
They've got aerial fitness classes on Saturdays as well as a workout that uses circus props. It's only $10-$20 for one hour so I'd love to give that a try sometime.
I still need to take some time to go check out the archery range on a Saturday morning - maybe this weekend before I go to the Renaissance Faire. :) They have classes 9am-11am, and the first one is free. They ask for a $5 donation for subsequent classes. If you're interested, and have instructor approval, you can sign up for their Basic Archery Instruction Program. It's a 6 week class that meets every Saturday and costs $60. At $10 a class, that is super cheap!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Renaissance Faire
The LA Renaissance Faire is taking place now through May. Lawrence said he'd be interested in going with me. :) I'm making a costume and I hope to go to the Renaissance Faire this Saturday in costume.
Sunday the Pacific Media Expo is hosting a Collectors' Swap Meet in Monterey Park. I'm meeting Lani and Rona there, so it should be fun!
Sunday the Pacific Media Expo is hosting a Collectors' Swap Meet in Monterey Park. I'm meeting Lani and Rona there, so it should be fun!
Agility exercises
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.
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.
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. :)
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