Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Me and My Bright Ideas. Again.

The book
My friend Betty, A Glimpse into Midlife, is reading a book that I found so interesting, I bought a copy myself. Whenever Betty quoted the book, the quotes were exactly the things that I have recently discovered myself! I was so excited that I wanted to read more.

Well, the book arrived last week. And, Betty, I am not holding you accountable for what happened next...when I decided to try some of the strength training exercises at the end of the book.

I jokingly told friends, "I hope I survive" when telling them about starting the exercises. Apparently, this was not a joke. Not the funny, get a good-deep-belly-laugh-out-of-it type anyway. Which is fine considering the fact that it now hurts to laugh.

It could have been my fault. I may have overdone it for the first day. I was at it for 6 minutes and 46 seconds after all.

Tuck attacked the ball
The first exercise I tried were the sit ups with ball toss. First, let me just say that it was my brilliant idea to purchase the 8 pound weight ball. I looked right at the 2 lb and 5 lb balls but Noooooo...I HAD to have the 8 pounder. B.R.I.L.L.I.A.N.T. Because of my brilliance, the toss part of the exercise nearly became 'drop the ball on your face' because my arms became rubbery. Speedy quick. The punisher writer wanted me to complete THREE sets of 20, 15, and 10 reps. Right. I completed two sets and said, "Screw it" to the third set.

Ok, I got it. This was not going to be easy. Fine. Nothing on this weight loss journey has been so, no surprise there. I tried a second exercise.

The Pull-over with Leg Vs exercise requires you to lie on your back, hold the weight ball with your arms extended over your head and your legs extended into a V shape. No problem. Until I had to lift my legs and arms (while holding that stupid ball) AT THE SAME TIME until they come together above your belly. Then you return SLOWLY to the start position. Now, if you can lift your legs and arms (while holding that damn ball) AT THE SAME TIME, congratulations. I can't. Enough said.

I moved quickly on to the triceps extension. These required me to hold my legs up with knees bent at a 45 degree angle. I can do that! But I am NOT doing 5 sets of 20freakingreps! Hell to the N.O.

Since, at this point, I couldn't get off the floor, I decided to stick with floor exercises.

After flying past every exercise with the word 'plank' and 'ball roll' (aka, face plant) as fast as was humanly possible, I tried the seated ball chest press and the seated ball chest with side bend and the seated forward reach. These may sound harmless and they really weren't too bad but that woman has lost her bleach blonde mind if she thinks I'm going to even consider 5 sets of 10 reps and 3 sets of 15 reps and 3 sets of 10 reps.

It took me more time to get up off the floor than it did to complete my sets.

My water intake is going to suffer this week because I can't lift my water bottle.There is good news, however. I also can't lift a fork. Hells Bells, I can't walk into the kitchen.

Oh, and I might have a book for sale. I'll throw the weight ball in for free.

30 comments:

  1. Oh I can so relate!! When I started the 30-Day Shred, I did phase I and thought I'd die-but got bored. Moved on to phase II sooner than I should have...and laughed at myself. Went back to Phase I until I was ready!

    I'd say give your book/program another attempt. Maybe your expectations are lessened now that you've given it a try-and it will become easier because you know now how hard it is? It happened to me doing the Shred.

    Thanks for the morning visual, though--I could see myself in your shoes doing the same thing!!!

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  2. Too, too funny. You just made my morning.
    My hats off to you for giving it a go.

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  3. Sorry, I shouldn't laugh but the way you write is absolutely friggin' hilarious.

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  4. Cookie- I'm going to have to check out this 30 day shred that I've been hearing about. Just check it out- not do it, mind you. LOL I'm going to stick with it but it's a pain!

    Fatoutofskinny- Thank you! Glad I gave you a laughing start to the day. If I ever get up again, I'll keep trying. LOL

    TC-I'm laughing too. Now. I wasn't laughing yesterday though. :) Thank you so much!

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  5. You're hilarious girl! I know how is to use muscles you either forgot you had or did not know you had. Ouchy! An interesting toning exercising video I've been using is the Turbo Sculpt by Chalene Johnson. It's from the Turbo Jam series and it came in a disc set. She does most of her exercises standing using dumb bells. I've opted to go at it easy using 3lbs for now. It's been too long since I've done this seriously. By the end of the workout, you are on the floor, but it's nothing too major. The movement is slow, but the workout is powerful. Good luck to your continued exercise and diet regiment!

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  6. Cathy- Thanks! I thought I would NEVER get off the floor yesterday. I haven't tried it again today-yet. I'm still mulling it over. LOL

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  7. If you actually live through this and I ever to the point where I'm doing real exercise again, perhaps I'll give this a go.

    It couldn't be worse than the yoga could it?

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  8. I love reading your blog! I've nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award :)

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  9. Michele- I don't know if it's worse than yoga or not. I've never braved yoga--I know I wouldn't be able to get into those positions much less hold them!

    sterlingsop-Thanks! On both counts!

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  10. If I go down I ain't gettin' up!!!! That's me to a T. You are so brave and funny as all hell. Hugs.

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  11. Barb- Next time I'll call you and you can drive down here and help me up! LOL Thanks! Can't wait to read your Powder Room entry tomorrow!

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  12. Oh my word...thanks for the heads up : )

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  13. Oh my friend, this certainly made me laugh (I know it wasn't supposed to be funny, but it was the way you wrote it!). I hope you've managed to walk into the kitchen by now!

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  14. I was exhausted just reading about it!!

    Pearl

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  15. Joyce- You're welcome. LOL

    Diane- I have made it into the kitchen but getting up is a chore! Stupid book. LOL

    Pearl-It exhausted me too! LOL

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  16. hahahahaha, I´m laughing out loud here!!! Did you start the book at the back?? I haven´t even seen those pages yet and now that I´ve read yours I probably will skip them. Maybe. haha
    I´m really busy and haven´t been reading this week, but I´m glad you got into it. I hope the rest of the book is more useful. :)

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  17. you totally crack me up...I can't stop laughing...so much for the 8 pounder I'm sure a 1 pounder sounds good now...With doing reps..
    don't stop try it with a MUCH lighter ball...lol
    Hugs,
    Jolyn

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  18. Wow . . .8 lbs. is a lot of weight. But I have done way stupider (is that a word?) things than that.

    Seriously cracking up over "I can't lift my water bottle" . . .Hilarious!!!

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  19. Betty- I was hoping you would see the humor! I did skip to the back at one point and saw the exercises---stupid idea! LOL

    Jolyn-Once I can make it in and out of the car, I'll go buy a lighter ball. LOL

    MC-8 lbs is way more than I thought it was, that's for sure! I'm sure stupider is a word- and if it isn't, it should be. LOL Thanks!

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  20. How funny! I love it. I just need to get up off my butt and start walking, to begin with. It's just been so stinking HOT here!!

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  21. Oh girl I know what you mean. Everytime I try something new I over do it and pay for it for days to come.
    A bit of ice on the really sore spots, some sports cream if you have it and a day of rest and try again tomorrow.
    Take care and tell Birdie thank you for her advice.
    Blessings my friend.

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  22. THis one made me really laugh, you're too funny. I think you should write a book about your exercising stories, something like "Adventures in Exercising". My favorite line was the one about you being too tired so you kept doing the floor exercises - I'm still giggling thinking about it. :)

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  23. Hi there....'catchin' up on your blog this morning'!!!

    First that Tucker...isn't he the cutest thing you ever laid eyes on. He melts my heart. And good to know that your mom's surgery is over ---Tucker taking over her pillow in her absence....he's just keeping it warm for her return.

    Love the football scarf!!!

    I know this is a condensed version of my visit with you, but I must go to another to visit and catch up with them---------



    And I must stop to send along my thanks for being such a loyal visitor while I was absent in blog hopping. Much appreciated.

    My link: Baltimore Orioles

    This is an open invitation to stop by and view, if you can find time.

    Happy Wednesday.

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  24. Oh my ... that so sounds like something I'd do! I'm sure it wasn't funny, but the way you tell it, it made me laugh. Hope you find some exercise routine that works for you. (And if you do, let me know!)

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  25. I do the same thing when I start something new...go overboard the first time!

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  26. MD- It’s been hot AND humid here. Luckily I have this little 10 lb dog who gets me up at 5:30 to get started. LOL

    Julie- Why do we do that? And we do it KNOWINGLY! Thanks! I’ll tell Birdie! She’s got me stretching and icing and taking a rest day.

    Alessandra- Thanks! I can laugh now, but I sure wasn’t laughing Monday. LOL

    Anni- Isn’t he a sweetie pie?! So glad you came by girl! I’ve missed you! I’ll be hopping by your place in a few!

    Kathy-It wasn’t funny Monday but I’m feeling much better today. Of course, I haven’t done the exercises yet! LOL

    Jules-And why is that?! I just can’t figure out why I KNOWINGLY do this every single time!

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  27. Well that is why my ball is sitting in my room, unused except with grands come over and play with it. I just don't want to be that sore. I know it would be good to work through it but I am just not in the mode yet. It is still nice outside and so I tell myself it will get cold then I will do it. :)

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  28. FG- Mine is still sitting on the floor by the chair. I left it alone yesterday but tried to do the sit ups today. My abs screamed at me and so I stopped immediately. I guess the good news in all this is that I do still HAVE abs. LOL

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  29. LOL, so funny! I'm sure not to you and your poor aching self, but you got me chuckling! I also did the 30 day shred and couldn't walk up the stairs for two days without moaning. Kick ass video, doesn't look that hard but you will definitely feel it the next day. And you will be cursing Jillian.

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  30. Jessica- I already curse Jillian. But that's just because I hate her. LOL I'm back at it today. Just as soon as I get up the courage.

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