February Status Update & Exercise

In this day and time, how is it possible for a whole section of a neighborhood to be without phone/internet service for almost a week?  Well, that has been the case in Twelve Oaks.  When there is no phone service we don't have internet service.  When there is no internet service, there is no updating blog postings.  Fortunately, full service was restored around noon today.

February Plans Status Update

I thought I would give you an update on my "February Plans" from my last posting.  I did find a new hairstylist!  YIPPEE for me!  Hubby introduced me to John at the gym last week, and he took one look at my hair, and moaned a bit and assured me short hair was his specialty.  I made an appointment that day.  I went today, and am very pleased.  So pleased in fact, that I made another appointment for 3 weeks away.  So, if you live in the Shreveport area, I recommend Alexander & Co. in Pierremont Common.

Handbell Choir:  I attended my first rehearsal yesterday, and remembered why I loved it years ago.  This will be something to look forward to each week.

Daily Picture Taking:  I've managed to take a picture almost every day.  I'll have to admit to needing a bit of inspiration for this one.

I'm still working on some of the other goals, but feel I'm making progress.  That's an accomplishment!

Exercise

Since retiring, I've been going to the gym with hubby every weekday morning.  Now, you must understand that hubby was accustomed to opening the doors there at 5AM.  After a few weeks of this schedule, we had to have a come-to-Jesus meeting .  I told him that I didn't retire to continue being startled to death by an alarm at 4:30 every morning.   Being the sweet understanding, eager to please guy that he is, he did agree to sleep in three days a week.

On Tuesday and Thursday mornings we continue the alarm setting so that I can get to my Pilates class.  I really enjoy this class and feel it is helping to keep my aging, stenosis-inhabited back supported and moving.  Following this hour long class, I do water jogging and upper body work outs in the pool for an hour.  The other three days of the week, we do treadmill for 35 minutes, bikes for 15, then stretching, Pilates, and weights for an hour.

But, a couple weeks ago a Pilates buddy suggested we take a class of Body Pump and Ab Core at the local college one afternoon a week.  "Sure," I said, "Why not!"  So three of us started that class.  Now, I want to remind you that I am 67 years old with the mind of a 20 year old evidently.  When I'm not completely naked standing in front of a mirror, I have a particular vision of myself and it looks something like this:

Well, need I say that 1.5 hours on Monday evenings in a dance studio with young college students pumping to loud, gyrating music has had an impact on how I now view myself?  When I can catch my breath, I realize the instructor and half the class has already moved to another stance and I'm still trying to make my muscles do the last one.  By this time, I'm a few routines behind and trying to remember which is my right and left side.

I told one of my co-hearts the other afternoon, that I think I'm really making progress until I have to do a crunch and actually see all that tummy fat still I'm having to crunch.  I'm assuring Dick that my six-pack is in there and just waiting to be revealed.  We both can hardly wait.

I read an article today from the Wall Street Journal, written by Jason Gay on the "27 Rules of Conquering the Gym."  Several of these rules are really good.  For instance, #3:

"Develop a gym routine.  Try to go at least three times a week.  Do a mix of strength training and cardiovascular conditions.  After the third week, stop carrying around that satchel of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies."

These are good ones too:

#18.  "Be cautious about any class with the words, "sunrise," "hell," or "Moby."

#26.  "A successful gym membership is like a marriage.  If it's good, you show up committed and ready for hard work.  If it's not good, you show up in sweatpants and watch a lot of bad TV."

So, based on what I've read and on my own personal experience, let me share a few suggestions for working out.

• Don't buy $150 running shoes to spend 30 minutes on a treadmill set at 2 miles per hour.
• Don't buy $100 yoga pants unless you are the instructor and weigh 100 lbs soaking wet and have zero fat.
• Don't wear muscle shirts unless you have muscles
• Don't wear short shorts unless you have two awesome gluteous maximus
• If you are over 20 forget the "Bikini Body in 3 Weeks" workout
• If you are over 50 come to gripes with the fact that there are NO secret weapons to fight cellulite.

I will close with my inspiration.  I understand with the hamstrings I have been given this is an impossibility, but nevertheless, I strive.