Working on an "Alternative"

I am just not feeling it today. I didn't fall asleep until 9 last night, so maybe that is why. I mean I do get up around 2:45 a.m. every day.

I just walked with my friend Chandler. I really need to run. Then go home and do core and some body weight work. My one real fitness accomplishment for the day seems to be sending out an e-mail to see if anyone has heavier hand weights I can buy off them.

I currently have 2 pound and 8 pound. The 2 collect dust kitties and the 8 pound present little if any challenge. I need some 15 and 20, especially since gas has kept me home working out more often. Plus, this winter, when we're butt high in snow - if it looks dangerous I do not want to be wandering across town. If I have weights I can dance some salsa for cardio and lift at home.

It's not perfect, but it's a nice start. If my roomie and I get a house, I want to get one of those things that holds your regular bike stationary. That way I can use it for cardio in the winter. Chandler says he has a weight bench I can buy cheap, I asked him to bring a picture later in the week. That's a handy accidental find.

To quote a great character, "I love it when a plan comes together."

Yours in Fitness, Kate

Did I just hear my thighs scream?

Doing this bike to work thing is going o.k. I bought a lock last night, but neither Lori nor I could figure it out. So, it's going back to be replaces by one with a key lock. Then maybe I won't have to store it in the broadcast studio!

The only thing that sucks is going home. It's up hill. And not just any hill, but those in my Sherman Hill neighborhood. No matter how you go about it, to get to my apartment, you go up hill.

I once thought that was really cool, because in out 3rd floor apartment you can see for miles. There's a view of the governor's mansion, every tree for miles and fireworks from a number of communities on the 4th of July.

Now, not so cool.

But, I will have to get past it and get on with it. It's time to move toward home. Let's just hope after a summer of this, I really do have a butt-o-steel.

Yours in fitness, Kate

From the beginning... Follow Through

Tip - Do what you say you're going to do.

I know that sounds simplistic and when it involves donuts or pilates, it can seem downright impossible. However, the way to increase your self-respect and therefore your positive mental picture of yourself, is to follow through.

That's been a recurring theme for me. I thought for a long time it was just about not disappointing people. But it's also about not lying to myself. No one respects a liar, not even the one doing the lying. And even in times where you haven't made an out and out commitment to anyone else, doing the basics and following through for you can be even more important.

Last week is an example: I bought my bike on Sunday and was able to pick it up on Wednesday. Thursday came and I decided after work I was going to ride for the first time so I wasn't dangerous when I did set forth at 3:40 a.m. some morning to come to work. I went home and was suddenly dead tired.

I went ahead and got ready - sun-block, exercise clothes, helmet - then it hit, I was just too tired to move forward. I sat down to rest my head and ended up with a 15 minute nap. When I woke up it went through my head that I just wanted to eat a bowl of cereal and call it an early night.

Uh, no. The other part of me would have felt stupid the next day, after making a big deal out of my first ride, if I had been asked about it and had to admit I didn't go. So I bucked up and went.

I have to tell you, it was worth it. Not only was I happy right then with the way I had performed, this morning I was WAY grateful I had done a test run.

I rolled out of bed this morning at 2:40 a.m. I ate, got my shower and stared down my bike helmet as I watched the numbers flick by on the weather channel. Yep, 40 degrees. I had the passing thought that I was crazy. But then that other thought went through my head - "Why not? You've made the commitment, now follow through." And I did.

Yes, it was chilly. But I had earned my own respect and that's worth more than a warm commute in my car any day.

Yours in fitness, Kate

Blog or Bike?

For some reason this has been the week when nothing outside of work or working out has gotten done. It doesn't help that I am not really inspired to write anything specific. I want to find something acerbic or interesting to write and I am nonplussed by my impulses. So instead, I am going to try out my bike for the first time and hope tomorrow breeds substantially more creativity.

Yours in fitness, Kate

Biker Chick

Sunday I bought a bicycle, today I am going to pick it up. I would have taken it then, but the store was closing and it needed a different 'girly' (my word) seat installed. By the way, you know it was a man who designed the seat on bikes - they end up in some pretty uncomfortable places.

I was going to pick-up the bike with the help of a parent of some form (they have trucks and such), but I decided to wait and by a bike rack instead. I did just that early this afternoon. So, tonight I am going to grab the bike.

I am quite excited. Not only will I save gas, but it will be a whole new shock to my body to ride a bike on the street for the first time in 20 years. Hopefully that will lead to much fat burning. Dale from the seafood department at the Gateway Market has lost over 20 pounds by simply starting to bike. (Go Dale!)

Lori plans to buy a bike soon as well, so the carrier I got will hold two bikes. I am looking forward to hitting the trail already.

Yours in fitness, Kate

Exercise Stimulus

The economy is a mess, anyone who argues this is an oil executive. So, they are sending out 'economic stimulus' checks. Ah, $600, I don't agree with the concept, but I will take it none-the-less.

Now, I am disgusted by the very idea of using it for everyday expenses - especially gas. I will not be putting a single penny into the oil company coffers with this 'windfall'. I instead have vowed that I will spend my money local and if at all possible not on anything from China.

Then it hit me, there is another way to save gas, the environment AND better my thighs - a bike. I have wanted one for a long time and this is the perfect storm, I have money coming AND I am actually in shape to use one.

That got me to thinking, everyone should use their tax rebate for health purposes. Anything from a bike to the new yoga outfit you have been eyeing to new running shoes. Believe me, if you are fit, you save money. Whether it's medications, clothes (plus sizes are much more expensive) or food (you naturally eat less), it's to your benefit to be fit.

So, stimulate your health journey and spend a few dollars on you.

Yours in health, Kate