I am so not a morning person. Getting up an hour and a half early so that I can go to the gym (especially when it’s cold outside) is not my typical idea of a party.
I love sleep. Snuggling between the covers, head resting on the soft comfort of my pillow, with my dog curled up against me is one of my favorite pastimes. And then that annoying little buzzer goes off and implores me to get up! Needless to say, I did not get up in time to make it down to the gym this morning.
On a side note, I can’t set my alarm clock to go off with music or even just the radio. I won’t wake up after day two or so. My subconscious likes its control, so it tricks my brain into thinking that whatever sort of music I’m hearing is part of my dream and thereby I mentally ignore it. Fun times.
So I didn’t go to the gym. And that’s no good, because if I don’t go to the gym I won’t lose the weight, and I need to lose the weight because I need to fit into a dress by April. Earl’s mom is getting married and I don’t want to have to buy a new dress. I hate dress shopping.
So I think I’ve convinced Earl to try a night-time workout strategy (hopefully) because I really don’t think that waking up early is going to work. Ever.
So we’ll probably try for at least the Monday, Wednesday, Friday thing… I’d like to try for Thursday nights too. (Tuesdays are out because of Game night with our friends in the building.)
So I’ve got a schedule down (sort of) but one of my biggest difficulties in working out is cardio. I used to run a lot (even though I hated it), Katie and Birdy can back me up on that (high school aerobics class anyone?) but in 2006-ish, or maybe it was ’07, I fell off a curb and landed smack on my left knee. No I wasn’t drinking, it’s called I was tired, in heels and I don’t walk well to begin with. I ended up in physical therapy over it, having bruised the cartilage under my knee cap.
But even after months on end of physical therapy, my knee is still nowhere near where it once was and thusly, running on a treadmill is far from a pleasant experience. Another small setback for Cardio is the fact that I cannot use an Elliptical trainer. My hip joints are all messed up after I had a run-in with some penicillin when I was about two – not only did I blow up and turn bright red like a tomato, I ended up with joint issues, wonderful, no?
So I try to use the treadmill as long as I can anymore, because I really do feel better after I’ve run, but mostly I’m relegated to the stationary bike – joy of joys – and let me tell you, they really should make those seats more comfortable.
One of my biggest problems with the bike is that I’m short. I never really thought I was short, until I realized that most exercise equipment seems to be made for men of an average height. I am obviously neither a man, nor am I average height. So everything has to go to the bottom peg if it’s adjustable. The Bike is no exception.
Well, now that you’re done listening to my workout woes, feel free to voice any of your own.
The brain soup of a geek girl who doesn't know how to smile, adores her ewok, and is figuring things out one cup of tea at a time.
So far our whole working out in the morning thing is going pretty well. I think it's a huge help that we use an exercise video at home, so I can stay in my undies and not wear workout pants (tmi?). Of course, the health issues are also a big motivating factor for me, which cause me to have more of a willingness to fight my deliciously warm and soft bed in the morning.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would have been right with you in the evening, but especially when Jesse's at school, we just don't have much energy for it by then. I do love how my body is already warmed up in the evening though.
And I have bad hips and knees as well. My sister also has bad knees (not looking forward to growing old with these things). Did you know one of my legs is longer than the other? Hence hip problems. Which, *sigh* I should really go back to a doctor and get inserts for my shoes, but do you know how old lady-ish that makes me feel?
Can you just walk fast? That might spike your heart rate enough. . .
ReplyDeleteI can never find shoes that fit right, even when I go to a specialty store. Waaahhhh
Yes, stay away from the treadmill and the elliptical. They're so bad for joints and knees. Does your apartment have a pool? Swimming is so good on your joints and a great aerobic activity. The key is at least for me, a workout partner to keep you accountable. So, if you and Earl stay on each other's case, I find that's what keeps me motivated.
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