My friend Bret sent me this story the other day. I think he realized how much Sue's story would remind me of mine.
She woke up to the reality of what she had been doing to her body and decided in earnest to deal with it. She was going along on her own, getting results, but wanted to take it to the next level and decided to get a trainer. The trainer got her into CrossFit and today she is leaner and stronger than ever.
Now, this is where I put my reminder about CrossFit: It's not for beginner's - beginner's puke. (Even some really fit people puke.) Instead you have to have a basic level of fitness before you can meet the tough challenges the workouts put forth.
Now, that being said - if you are ready for that 'next thing' this is a great choice. The workouts challenge everyone, at every level, because they can be customized. It's a great way to break up your routine and have fun. Every time Bret and I do one, it's fun and I feel accomplished - not every workout can say that.
So, if you want to know more and see what it's done for Sue, check out this story.
Yours in fitness, Kate
Showing posts with label Bret. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bret. Show all posts
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Slogging Through Wet Cement
The last two days my workouts have been tough. Not because they were actually difficult, on a good day I would have been fine. But something in me is askew. I am tired. I am sad. Running feels terrible. A number of little things are plaguing my body and I can't pinpoint a single one that is 'the one'.
Two days ago I decided to run an errand by walking and running. I have done this innumerable times. I had to walk home from work to retrieve some checks I needed to deposit in the bank. My calves and hamstrings were as tight as they have ever been. In fact, I found myself thinking I was more flexible a year ago than at that moment. I walked home and back anyway. Then I took the trolley to the bank.
I decided things must be better now that I was warmed up, so I started running back to the station. It was a little better, but my shin and my Achilles began to hurt on my left leg. While the Achilles has a recent history, I haven't had shin splints since about 3 months after I started running 18 months ago. It was disconcerting. I kept stopping and stretching and trying to rub it out.
Yesterday I met with trainer Traci. She is always ready for me because I love it. She tries very specifically to make my workout difficult and prefers that I whine at some point. She got plenty of that.
I was completely out of sorts. I was a couple of minutes late, so when she out me on the treadmill straight away, I faltered. She wanted me to go my usual easy stride of 6 miles an hour and weave in some hills. I began wheezing, just like I did last week when I ran with Bret. Then my Achilles tweaked and my shin started throbbing. I whinced. Traci let me off and took me to the elliptical. I warmed up there.
Then it was on to arms, where I struggled with the usually easy dips for my triceps, pull-ups for my biceps and push-ups for my chest and back. I felt like all of my strength was gone. Like my muscles had atrophied and I was back to where I started a year ago with Traci.
We talked it through. She confirmed what I was thinking - my crappy, sugar-laden diet of the past few months had to go. Luckily I had ditched it on Monday - tomorrow I will cover the corrections I have made in my diet. She says if a couple of weeks of real food and hard workouts don't pull me out of feeling like this, it's time to see the doctor - I agree.
I finished the workout, but barely. It was the kind of workout that I would have shredded just a couple of months ago. My wimpiness made me very angry at myself. I know everyone has an off day, but they are rolling together like crap downhill and it's NOT o.k. I have become a bad example, even to myself.
So, today it's back to the gym to see if I can shake this off before I end up sleeping with the fishes because the cement has dried around me.
Yours in fitness, Kate
Two days ago I decided to run an errand by walking and running. I have done this innumerable times. I had to walk home from work to retrieve some checks I needed to deposit in the bank. My calves and hamstrings were as tight as they have ever been. In fact, I found myself thinking I was more flexible a year ago than at that moment. I walked home and back anyway. Then I took the trolley to the bank.
I decided things must be better now that I was warmed up, so I started running back to the station. It was a little better, but my shin and my Achilles began to hurt on my left leg. While the Achilles has a recent history, I haven't had shin splints since about 3 months after I started running 18 months ago. It was disconcerting. I kept stopping and stretching and trying to rub it out.
Yesterday I met with trainer Traci. She is always ready for me because I love it. She tries very specifically to make my workout difficult and prefers that I whine at some point. She got plenty of that.
I was completely out of sorts. I was a couple of minutes late, so when she out me on the treadmill straight away, I faltered. She wanted me to go my usual easy stride of 6 miles an hour and weave in some hills. I began wheezing, just like I did last week when I ran with Bret. Then my Achilles tweaked and my shin started throbbing. I whinced. Traci let me off and took me to the elliptical. I warmed up there.
Then it was on to arms, where I struggled with the usually easy dips for my triceps, pull-ups for my biceps and push-ups for my chest and back. I felt like all of my strength was gone. Like my muscles had atrophied and I was back to where I started a year ago with Traci.
We talked it through. She confirmed what I was thinking - my crappy, sugar-laden diet of the past few months had to go. Luckily I had ditched it on Monday - tomorrow I will cover the corrections I have made in my diet. She says if a couple of weeks of real food and hard workouts don't pull me out of feeling like this, it's time to see the doctor - I agree.
I finished the workout, but barely. It was the kind of workout that I would have shredded just a couple of months ago. My wimpiness made me very angry at myself. I know everyone has an off day, but they are rolling together like crap downhill and it's NOT o.k. I have become a bad example, even to myself.
So, today it's back to the gym to see if I can shake this off before I end up sleeping with the fishes because the cement has dried around me.
Yours in fitness, Kate
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Would You Like Cheese with That Whine?
I went and did a CrossFit workout with Bret yesterday. It's really way too convenient that he has a gym attached to his house with every piece of equipment you could need. If I had that, winter would be wonderful. No more questions about whether I can get across town when it's snowing to beat the band, so I can lift weights. Anyway, I digress.
The workout with Bret -
Run 1/2 mile
50 sit-ups
50 back extensions
Do this three times, while timing yourself.
The first run I sounded like I was going to suffocate, I was wheezing like I had pneumonia. I found that, at best, ironic, since the day before I had run five miles and didn't seem to be out of breath. Bret actually stopped and looked at me to see if I was o.k. (Very embarrassing.)
Then I did 25 sit-ups, 25 back extensions, 25 sit-ups, 25 back extensions. I just couldn't do them all at once - but I did them. A year ago, no, uh-uh, no.
I took off on my next run, again sounding like Darth Vader's huffy sister. I have no idea what the hell was wrong. Again Bret expressed concern, it was nice, but I was pretty peeved at myself at this point. Add insult to injury, on the way back to his house I am gasping along and space off, turning a street too soon. I ended up running two extra blocks - brilliant.
Then I repeated my core and back. Halfway through I inform Bret, who's about to head out the door for his third round of running - "I'm only doing two rounds". He didn't bat an eyelash, he just ran out the door.
I sat there slowly pushing my way through the sit-ups and back work. I convinced myself that there was nothing wrong with not doing the third round. When Bret came back from running and started his sit-ups I was done with mine. He said, "Off for your third round?"
And I whined, "No, I don't wanna." Yep, sounded just like an impudent 3-year-old who doesn't want to eat their broccoli, it was fabulously stupid. Bret just said, "Oh, that's right, you said you weren't doing a third round" and went back to his sit-ups.
I stood there and looked at the gaping door and bargained with myself - fine, I'll do it, but I am walking. I gruffly swaggered out and on to the sidewalk. Then I realized I was being a whiny baby and started to run. Yes, I interspersed with walking, but I was going to finish the damn thing. And I did.
Afterward I told Bret what he needed to say when I get like that - "Would you like cheese with that whine?" He laughed. I thanked him for pushing me. He said I pushed myself. He's right, but I also didn't want to look like a wimp in front of him.
What kind of cheese do you think goes with being a wimp? Limburger?
Yours in fitness, Kate
The workout with Bret -
Run 1/2 mile
50 sit-ups
50 back extensions
Do this three times, while timing yourself.
The first run I sounded like I was going to suffocate, I was wheezing like I had pneumonia. I found that, at best, ironic, since the day before I had run five miles and didn't seem to be out of breath. Bret actually stopped and looked at me to see if I was o.k. (Very embarrassing.)
Then I did 25 sit-ups, 25 back extensions, 25 sit-ups, 25 back extensions. I just couldn't do them all at once - but I did them. A year ago, no, uh-uh, no.
I took off on my next run, again sounding like Darth Vader's huffy sister. I have no idea what the hell was wrong. Again Bret expressed concern, it was nice, but I was pretty peeved at myself at this point. Add insult to injury, on the way back to his house I am gasping along and space off, turning a street too soon. I ended up running two extra blocks - brilliant.
Then I repeated my core and back. Halfway through I inform Bret, who's about to head out the door for his third round of running - "I'm only doing two rounds". He didn't bat an eyelash, he just ran out the door.
I sat there slowly pushing my way through the sit-ups and back work. I convinced myself that there was nothing wrong with not doing the third round. When Bret came back from running and started his sit-ups I was done with mine. He said, "Off for your third round?"
And I whined, "No, I don't wanna." Yep, sounded just like an impudent 3-year-old who doesn't want to eat their broccoli, it was fabulously stupid. Bret just said, "Oh, that's right, you said you weren't doing a third round" and went back to his sit-ups.
I stood there and looked at the gaping door and bargained with myself - fine, I'll do it, but I am walking. I gruffly swaggered out and on to the sidewalk. Then I realized I was being a whiny baby and started to run. Yes, I interspersed with walking, but I was going to finish the damn thing. And I did.
Afterward I told Bret what he needed to say when I get like that - "Would you like cheese with that whine?" He laughed. I thanked him for pushing me. He said I pushed myself. He's right, but I also didn't want to look like a wimp in front of him.
What kind of cheese do you think goes with being a wimp? Limburger?
Yours in fitness, Kate
Monday, July 14, 2008
Crap! Did I accidentally get a life?
Nope and yes. I have actually kind of created one and become poor at time management simultaneously.
I was looking back and I haven't blogged since Wednesday. I have intended to. Even thought I had at some point over the weekend, but alas, no. Sorry about that.
Thursday I worked, took a nap, worked out, went back to bed. A long week had me wondering if I was getting sick, so I did a little taking care of me, unusual, but effective. I was ready to go on Friday.
Friday - work, workout, clean out car, create toga, go to toga party. Yep, you read that right - I went to the Art Noir toga party at the Des Moines Art Center. It was fun and my date, Bret, was not only very hot in his toga, but game for the whole experience, which made him sexy as hell.
Astoundingly going was my idea. Two years ago me in a piece of barely there cloth in public would NEVER have happened. Not in the privacy of someone's home and sure as hell not out in public! Despite my hard work, I was still nervous as I stepped my sandaled feet into the hall, but I got over it and had a great time.
Saturday - I had slept like crap because I forgot my sleeping pill, so coffee and I were close. It was rainy, but I was interested in watching Bret play soccer, so I threw on jeans and headed to Indianola. He's pretty good for a guy who says he really didn't know about soccer until a couple of years ago. We parted ways and I went to work. Then I went home and crashed. I had taken my workout clothes with great intentions of hitting the gym, but my lack of sleep hung like a wool trench coat in August, so I reconsidered and hit the hay.
It was a good thing because my suggestion of renting a movie and doing dinner at Bret's house was optioned. We watched "Bourne Supremacy" and had a healthy dinner. Somehow, for the second time, forgetting to eat the not-so-healthy popcorn I had brought along.
Sunday - I slept in for the first time in I have no idea how long, it felt great. Then I went to my mom's and went for a quick walk and did some core work. Then we had dinner and that's where I spiraled out of control. I literally made my self ill. Mom made this really healthy dinner and I ate too much of the rice. Then I followed that with WAY too much of the not-at-all healthy dessert she made.
I was, in fact, so ill I couldn't go to meet my dad at a movie for his birthday. Instead I went home and tried to settle my stomach and crawled into bed at 4:45. Sadly, almost two years in, I am still capable of a binge. Admittedly it doesn't take as much now, but it's still sick and pathetic that I can overdo it like that.
Speaking of which, my two year anniversary in the start of this journey is Friday. It will have been 731 days since I started making changes that have added up to big successes. Tomorrow I will begin the countdown to that day, looking back and then finally Friday, looking forward.
Yours in health, Kate
I was looking back and I haven't blogged since Wednesday. I have intended to. Even thought I had at some point over the weekend, but alas, no. Sorry about that.
Thursday I worked, took a nap, worked out, went back to bed. A long week had me wondering if I was getting sick, so I did a little taking care of me, unusual, but effective. I was ready to go on Friday.
Friday - work, workout, clean out car, create toga, go to toga party. Yep, you read that right - I went to the Art Noir toga party at the Des Moines Art Center. It was fun and my date, Bret, was not only very hot in his toga, but game for the whole experience, which made him sexy as hell.
Astoundingly going was my idea. Two years ago me in a piece of barely there cloth in public would NEVER have happened. Not in the privacy of someone's home and sure as hell not out in public! Despite my hard work, I was still nervous as I stepped my sandaled feet into the hall, but I got over it and had a great time.
Saturday - I had slept like crap because I forgot my sleeping pill, so coffee and I were close. It was rainy, but I was interested in watching Bret play soccer, so I threw on jeans and headed to Indianola. He's pretty good for a guy who says he really didn't know about soccer until a couple of years ago. We parted ways and I went to work. Then I went home and crashed. I had taken my workout clothes with great intentions of hitting the gym, but my lack of sleep hung like a wool trench coat in August, so I reconsidered and hit the hay.
It was a good thing because my suggestion of renting a movie and doing dinner at Bret's house was optioned. We watched "Bourne Supremacy" and had a healthy dinner. Somehow, for the second time, forgetting to eat the not-so-healthy popcorn I had brought along.
Sunday - I slept in for the first time in I have no idea how long, it felt great. Then I went to my mom's and went for a quick walk and did some core work. Then we had dinner and that's where I spiraled out of control. I literally made my self ill. Mom made this really healthy dinner and I ate too much of the rice. Then I followed that with WAY too much of the not-at-all healthy dessert she made.
I was, in fact, so ill I couldn't go to meet my dad at a movie for his birthday. Instead I went home and tried to settle my stomach and crawled into bed at 4:45. Sadly, almost two years in, I am still capable of a binge. Admittedly it doesn't take as much now, but it's still sick and pathetic that I can overdo it like that.
Speaking of which, my two year anniversary in the start of this journey is Friday. It will have been 731 days since I started making changes that have added up to big successes. Tomorrow I will begin the countdown to that day, looking back and then finally Friday, looking forward.
Yours in health, Kate
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The CrossFit Date
It's hard to believe it was 17 days ago that I tried my first CrossFit workout with Bret. On the other hand it feels like months ago. However, because it was both challenging and fun, I remember it well enough to go ahead and blog about it now.
I went over to Bret's, he has a very nice house with a gym attached to it. Inside is everything you need to workout. It's very nice, he teaches Judo to friends and acquaintances as a way to keep his personal skills sharp. I like him because he likes to challenge himself and I thrive on that too.
He talked me through some of the basics about CrossFit and then proposed a workout. He took it down a notch for me, since I haven't done one before and he kept it standard for him.
Me -
-3 jumping pull-ups
-7 push-ups
-10 body weight squats
Him -
-5 pull-ups
-10 push-ups
-15 body weight squats
We did it each minute, on the minute, for 21 minutes for a total of 20 sets. In between we got between 18-20 seconds rest. It felt awesome. I didn't even hurt the next day. Bret did a little, but he also did more than I did.
I enjoyed the workout enough I am willing to try other CrossFit workouts as well. I will say however, it's not for beginners. It's really a form of working out to take yourself to the next level or face down a new challenge.
As for the rest of the date, you curious bunnies, it was very nice. We showered (separately, thank you), went to dinner at Torrocco! and then to a movie. Afterward we talked until early in the morning. It was very relaxing and interesting.
Well, tomorrow it's on to that friend's adventure in extreme body shaping. Might I suggest, in advance, that you not eat your lunch right before you read the little story.
Yours in fitness, Kate
I went over to Bret's, he has a very nice house with a gym attached to it. Inside is everything you need to workout. It's very nice, he teaches Judo to friends and acquaintances as a way to keep his personal skills sharp. I like him because he likes to challenge himself and I thrive on that too.
He talked me through some of the basics about CrossFit and then proposed a workout. He took it down a notch for me, since I haven't done one before and he kept it standard for him.
Me -
-3 jumping pull-ups
-7 push-ups
-10 body weight squats
Him -
-5 pull-ups
-10 push-ups
-15 body weight squats
We did it each minute, on the minute, for 21 minutes for a total of 20 sets. In between we got between 18-20 seconds rest. It felt awesome. I didn't even hurt the next day. Bret did a little, but he also did more than I did.
I enjoyed the workout enough I am willing to try other CrossFit workouts as well. I will say however, it's not for beginners. It's really a form of working out to take yourself to the next level or face down a new challenge.
As for the rest of the date, you curious bunnies, it was very nice. We showered (separately, thank you), went to dinner at Torrocco! and then to a movie. Afterward we talked until early in the morning. It was very relaxing and interesting.
Well, tomorrow it's on to that friend's adventure in extreme body shaping. Might I suggest, in advance, that you not eat your lunch right before you read the little story.
Yours in fitness, Kate
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