Showing posts with label workout hell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label workout hell. Show all posts

Friday, January 16, 2009

Debbie: Bootcamp Ain't for Sissies (from Jan 9)

Boot camp ain't for sissies so why am I going to one? Therein lies the rub - I'm trying to do something I'm totally under qualified for. I've been three times now and it isn't getting easier - yet. The first night was awful. I was having a terrible time trying to keep up with the trainer. Trainer, that's Latin for Evil Spawn of Satan.

The first night I'm thinking we would be doing this stuff at a level appropriate to our abilities - not so much. ESS had us up and down the step things, doing crunches, then up 6 flights of stairs, then stretches, push ups, step things again, crunches, push ups, and again with the six flights of stairs! Only one or two "water breaks" - 2 minutes which he timed! Oh yeah, and no smoke breaks - not a single one!

The second night wasn't quite as bad, by then Chris had told him about my previously broken bones and related injuries from the car wreck, so he modified what I had to do so it wouldn't hurt so badly. Mind you, it still hurt - just not as badly! We had to do lunges, weighs, more lunges, more weights, skipping rope, lunges, squats, crunches, push ups, and again with the six flights of stairs. Yeah we were feeling the burn!

The third night was freakin ridiculous - which is ridiculous squared. This time we had a bit of stuff from the previous nights, weights, lunges, stepping things, jumping ropes, crunches, throwing a heavy ball back and forth to a "fitness partner" (broke 2 nails on that one),
running relays up and down the hallway and of course those damn 6 flights of stairs!

There was a difference the third night - ESS came over to me and modified things that may hurt my previously broken bones, told me to slow down on a couple of exercises so I don't hurt myself "too much" and complimented me for sticking it out so well. He was actually very nice to me, quite compassionate in fact. It made me sort of bad about pushing all those long hat pins in that Rick doll I have. I pulled out a few of them when I got home - I can be compassionate too.

I've learned a lot of things since beginning this boot camp. Things I never knew before, like you have muscles in your arm pits, sports bra come in low, medium and high impact, and even your ear lobes can sweat. Anyway, that's how its been going. Thanks for all the support, encouragement and kind words. Its meant a lot and guilted me into trying a little harder and sticking with it a little longer.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Debbie: WTFO - that's Air Force for WTF - Over!

So now I've completed, a term I use loosely, 2 more sessions and I'm rethinking going for a third. In the meantime, I did hear back from the Geneva Convention folks and they turned down my request for a review - apparently if you are free to leave its not really their definition of torture, details!

Monday night was all about the cardio. I had forgotten to pack my sports bra (high impact) so I was trying to squeeze one more hour out of my 18 Hour bra. We did the nothing but cardio which means non stop motion with varying degrees on intensity sprinkled in just often enough
to keep you from EVER catching your freakin' breath! During the thing called mountain climbers, when you're down on all fours as you alternate which leg is in back - my left shoulder seized up and died. It knocked me to the floor for a nano-second or five. First I just sat there in
the sitting fetal position, rocking back and forth, fighting the stars in my eyes, sirens in my ears, the room spinning, the lights going on and off for no apparent reason and trying not to puke on anyone I like.

(Chris was in front of me and Pat was on my right side which left the stranger on my left as my only possible target). That's a lot to grasp all at once! Pat had to help me up, my body just wasn't responding to my commands but I think I mentally shot about 5 more pins in my Rick
doll. ESS came to check on me, and again he was being nice, even compassionate. But I digress - long story short - the rest of the session ESS told me to go easy so I slacked off a bit. When it was finally, mercifully over I went home, took drugs, a hot shower and crawled into bed, to sleep perchance to dream. . .

Tuesday I started feeling bad for having slacked off on Monday so, after finding out that Pat was going to the 5:30 session, I suited up (including my high impact sports bra) and went on down there. ESS seemed surprised to see me, inquired about my shoulder and said he'd modify his planned session so as not to hurt my shoulder. His weirdly timed compassion is really starting to grate on my nerves! The guilt over the Rick doll and the long pins passed quickly though. We worked on legs and abs. Squats, lunges, crunches, leg lifts, walking lunges, stair climbing squats, stretches, squatting stretches while you lunge - the pain was magnificent, I know he was proud! He was bouncing around with that big ol' smile of his, talking about how much this is helping
us, how its gonna improve our health, our looks, blah, blah, blah - made me want to slap that smile right into next week! When my arms don't hurt so bad I may just do it too!

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Kim - Cake is not a stop in the Game of Life

So Monday and Tuesday were absolutely grueling, and I realized that the Grim Reaper's alter-ego is actually Rick Cain, or vice versa. The major diet changes that I've made so far have been giving up soda (Coca-Cola, I mourn thee) and re-introducing whole grain substitutes instead of regular bleachy carbohydrates. These types of carbs burn more slowly, thus keeping my blood sugar on an even playing field, which prevents the munchy attacks.

Yesterday I realized that being late to Rick's class, no matter HOW late (3 minutes my watch, 5 his) earns either a locked door or six flights of steps. Seriously, ya'll. I've never been more winded in my life. During the third trip up at the end of our workout when I was seeing the Pearly Gates, Rick was right there with me. This has taught me two valuable lessons: 1. to never, ever, be late again; and 2. that I've really gotta concentrate on the cardio.

Today I didn't have time to get to the class so I went to the riverwalk and ran (jogged) and walked the entire way. I'm really feeling it, and knowing that even on a day when I couldn't make it to class I was still able to get a workout in makes me feel all the more positive.

Post again soon!