Shaking Things Up (And Feeling It)

This week has been extremely busy for me, and I haven't yet been able to do my usual jog/walk in the evenings as a result. It has also been super HOT, so it's kind of good that I haven't been out dealing with all of that!!! I hate being super sweaty--even though I know that I am going to sweat anyways during workouts, I would rather minimize it with a running fan holder or something (anyone want to volunteer?). Seriously, I don't mind treadmill running for that reason when it's hot outside. Unfortunately I don't live in a place where there is a free onsite gym available like I did in law school. :( And I don't like the thought of paying for gym memberships just to avoid the sweat factor, especially since I'm trying to save money--and outside jogging/walking is truly more interesting anyway since there is more happening out there (and it's often pretty with general scenery and that). I just can't justify the cost of gym membership. But if I had a treadmill at home, I would have all sorts of fans blowing at it. As far as I see it, sweat is just water weight anyway, so it's not like the biggest sweat producer is the biggest calorie burner or anything. This doesn't mean I don't work hard and push myself when I jog (or do other workouts, for that matter). I just want to be as cool as possible.

Though I'm planning to go for the usual jog/walk tonight, I have had a lot of variations in the workout regimen this week. When I was out of town this weekend, I did the Wii short run (2 times), long run (2 times), and Island long run (once). Then I did the beginning and advanced step game (2 times each). I got the top scores for all of them and, though I entered my height and stepped on the game scale for my weight and such, I had to have Michael Jackson as my icon picture and name because he was all that was available (and I don't know how to create my own)! :) So Michael Jackson was the winner, I guess. (Side note: I really want a Wii myself for the Wii Fit (I loved using it!), but it is out of the budget at the moment. :( ) Sunday night when I got home (since I had gained and hadn't done anything besides the Wii over the weekend), I did a dance Crunch video. Ever heard of the Crunch series? I have several videos/DVD's (had them for a while). They have dance, Pilates, yoga, bootcamp, abs, cardio, and all sorts of other workouts. I find them fairly challenging. At any rate, while I felt fine Sunday night, the next morning until yesterday (all day), I was holding onto walls, railings, whatever to get down stairs, etc. In the bathroom, I NEEDED railings. I was seriously sore. It didn't even feel like I was doing that much when I was working out, but I guess I was working different muscles than normal. Oh, and I neglected to mention that I did all of that (all the Wii workouts and the video) on Sunday, so maybe the vigor of that day was catching up with me. Whatever the case, YOWSERS, I hurt!!!

The Undercover Killer :)

(on the picture there is what you use for the step workout and what you use to weigh yourself)

Monday night, I did another Crunch video--Burn and Firm Pilates. I couldn't do all the lower squatting things they did or jumping because my legs were killing me, but I did get through the video. It probably even helped me because I was able to stretch my legs and my body some--though I was feeling the burn part of 'Burn and Firm Pilates' for sure!!! I have been a little sore in upper back and upper legs for about a week anyway (don't know why???), but adding the new variations on Sunday, I felt like someone had beat the heck out of me all the way up my legs and back.

I was visiting some family in town on Tuesday and Wednesday nights but was able to swim with them last night (in addition to almost winning Mario Brothers--the first game--got to Level 8 and had one hammer brother and the big dragon thing until I saved the princess; ARGH! I'm not a video gamester girl or anything, but I've never won that game although it was my generations' big gift to video games). So back to swimming, I don't remember swimming ever being that difficult. Holy Cow! I was panting and breathing hard but hardly did any laps or anything. What gives? I feel like I am completely out of shape but have been walking/jogging 3 miles several times a week for a few months now. What the devil?! The swimming wasn't even supposed to be a 'workout'!

Aside from the unintended water exercise, I did keep track of my steps with the pedometer and logged over 6 miles on Sunday but only a little over 1 and 1/2 miles on Monday (with a 50-minute video; I think that the lunging and such, while burning, take away from the overall steps). At any rate, even though I was inside (with fans and A/C on super cool), I was sweating like a racehorse. Maybe I just sweat a lot?