Getting in Shape

7/27/2010

 
The two best parts of summer are eating and drinking.  And we are professionals in upstate New York.  If you’re looking for local beverages, we have breweries, wineries, and cider mills to quench our never ending thirst.  There are some restaurants, but grilling becomes a sports event during the summer.  Hot dogs and cheeseburgers are a staple, of course; however, we’ll grill just about anything:  vegetables, seafood, steak, potatoes, grain.  The list goes on and on.  Unfortunately, so does the tire around my waist.  And it’s time to get it under control.

I wanted to start doing Yoga.  I thought it would be good for me, especially since I am the least flexible human being alive.  However, I can’t sit-up straight with my legs extended.  I am incapable of this simple task to stretch, and now I’m a little scared that Yoga would just be an embarrassing event.  And it’s at 8 am 45 minutes away, so I might try it later this summer, although it’s not going to be my main source of exercise.

Luckily when I was at the store and looking for a Yoga matt, in hopes of starting to do some physical activity, I found Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD.  I know exercise videos are sorta lame, at least I think so.  And I wasn’t sure that this was the right answer for me; however, at least 5 of my friends have sworn that this video is the real deal and really works them hard.  It was only 10 bucks, so I bought it.

When I bought it I was feeling a little sick, so I didn’t exercise with the video right away, but I did watch it.  And I thought, “Well I can do this.  It doesn’t look that intense.”  Please remember I haven’t exercised at all in months, and when I do it’s basically only cardio.  So yesterday I woke up at 9:00 am (much better than the 7:00 am wake-up I’d have to do for Yoga).  I put on my gym shorts and a T-shirt.  I filled two diet coke bottles with water to serve as my make-shift hand weights, and I turn on the DVD.

Holy crap was I in pain.  I was huffing and puffing after circuit number one.  The program is split into 3 circuits, and each circuit is comprised of strength training, cardio, and an ab workout.  It’s not easy, although it’s only 20 minutes long.  I knew my body was going to hurt the next day.  And I was right, but I didn’t expect it to hurt immediately and the rest of that day.  I felt like such a wuss.

Well, today is Day 2 and I woke up to do battle with Jillian again.  I wished it would be miraculously easier.  It wasn’t.  I’ll probably have to wait for day 10 before that happens.  Oh and the video has 3 levels, and I’m only on level one.  Ah well, at least I’m doing my best to get in shape, and I think I’ve found something that’s going to work for me.

Hopefully, I’ll still be able to walk after Day 3.
Ann
7/27/2010 12:08:19 pm

woo hoo for new beginnings. I tried a 10 minute solution with a yoga mat and a resistance band this summer and have been suitably impressed.

7/29/2010 04:40:57 am

dude. yoga. not embarrassing. not painful. do it.

7/31/2010 01:45:25 am

oh man. So, inspired by you, I just bought this dvd on Amazon...and am now convinced it will sit comfortably on my shelf for the rest of its natural life. mamma mia.


Comments are closed.