The Pants Don't Lie...

One of the pairs of pants that I couldn't get into, I can get into now- there's still too much hip action going on though. I have faith that I can comfortably fit into them by Thanksgiving.

Tuesday and Wednesday are the hardest days to workout for me, since they are my meeting nights. I can never get up in the morning to work out. I'm going to try my hardest to exercise tonight after bookstudy.

My Russian ballet teacher Elena is really unique when it comes to dance teachers. She knows that the almost all of the children and adults who take her classes do not have their sights set on a professional career in ballet or dance. She teaches our class with a view toward increasing one's body awareness and for the sheer pleasure of dancing and challenging her students with new ballet skills. As any dance teacher, including Elena, will tell you --- I'm actually not ready to go en pointe. In fact, I'm nowhere near it. (You're supposed to have a certain amount of demonstrated strength, turnout, alignment and balance before you qualify for pointe work.) She has encouraged me, however, to buy pointe shoes so she can have me and some of the other students do about 10 minutes of pointe work in each class so we can slowly build up to it. She doesn't recommend it for everyone, but she's allowed me to buy pointe shoes because she knows I'm not going to try and go en pointe at home, without her supervision or do anything that might result in me breaking my neck. I guarantee you, no other dance instructor would be so liberal when it comes to pointe shoes.

Buying pointe shoes involves visiting a trained professional (mine was a former professional level ballet dancer from the Royal Academy in London), who looks at the shape of your foot while your toes are pointed. I spent an hour trying on about 10 pairs of pointe shoes (each are handmade and the fit can vary dramatically even in the same size). I went en pointe near a barre built for 3 year olds (it literally went to my knees), and did demi plies in second position in each pair before she finally picked out the "right" (i.e. most forgiving) pair of pointe shoes for me.

*Note: In this picture, I'm not en pointe, but am positioning my foot so you'd get an idea as to what being en pointe looks like.

Last week, Elena marked on my pointe shoes where I should sew my elastic and ribbons (the stuff that keeps the shoe attached to your foot). As each person's foot is as individual as your thumbprint, sewing your pointe shoes is a very individual thing, and you will need a professional opinion as to where to sew what. Having finished my sewing last week, I was finally ready for my first ballet class with pointe work tonight. After padding my toes with protective silk pads, we spent about 15 minutes doing various pointe exercises. It was really exhilarating doing pointe work for that tiny span of time. It's definitely the next level up and it's given me a new incentive to work much harder. It's also increased my body awareness dramatically. En pointe, you have to concentrate a lot harder and think about what every muscle in your body is doing in order to keep your alignment and balance all your weight on your toes. Suck in the stomach ("more, more, more" Elena barks at me), squeeze the cheeks hard, pull the knees up all the way, relax the shoulders, raise and elongate the arm but break the wrist, pull up your chin and neck but keep them relaxed. There's so much to think about, but it's an exciting new chapter in my ballet hobby. For my own sake, Elena is also cracking down on improving my technique when it comes to the barre exercises. When they're actually done correctly, you feel every muscle working to the pointe of exhaustion. "Oh, it's supposed to hurt like that" was my latest revelation tonight. "Chin up! Chin up! Pull up your knees! Correct your sous sous! Fourth position!" Elena barks. As we're all trembling on our tippie toes, barely hanging onto our balance, Elena purrs "Enjooooy the pain, ladies!" while we wobble and sway like buildings in an earthquake.

The Temptations of Toast

I have been pretty loyal to my twice a week Pilates and twice a week walks. I have been taking all the vitamins I'm supposed to take and some. I've cut the coffee down to one or two excellent daily cups and have upped the fiber intake to make sure the plumbing is working well (sorry). I still have one incredibly evil force working against me. It is the force of toast. I try to limit it to brown breads, of course. I even try to toast it to within an inch of burning, since it is nearly carbon already I'm thinking it will digest easier and cost fewer calories. I think of the thin elegant toast on sliced european bread. I like the thick sliced Sanrio-style Japanese 'Pan' stuff (so 'bread' is the same in Spanish and Japanese? go figure!). I like anything toasted in the oven with butter and or cheese on top. Pumpernickel bagels toasted with cream cheese and lox...sooo good. I can't get these images out of my head. I think it is the crunch followed by the warm soft dough. I have not found a low carb replacement and I am opening up the floor here to ask: what suitable crunch/toast replacement can satisfying this unique texture craving?

Measuring up

It's been about 6 weeks since I started exercising again. When I started out, I measured my arms, my thighs, my waist, my hips and my calves. I've been lifting weights and doing various types of cardio --- swimming, running, and ballet. So far, I've lost 3.5 pounds and it's all probably water. While that might seem discouraging, I decided to measure myself and see if there was a difference. The difference was amazing. I lost about an inch on my arms and a 1/2 inch everywhere else. I can see the improved muscle tone in my arms, so I knew that regardless of the weight number, I was improving my body.

Pilates on the Ball

Last night I was doing my walk in my neighborhood. I was on the phone with my brother. He was getting nervous because it was already dark and he wanted me to turn back and go back home. I did, but I felt like I needed more exercise so I tried one of my DVDs. It's called "Pilates On the Ball." It's difficult but it's also fun. The ball helps to stabilize me and allows me to do movements that are normally too difficult to do without the ball. You really work up a sweat. I made it halfway through the workout and then turned CNN on. My goal is too get better and better at this particular workout.

Keep On Keeping On...

Wednesday night I went swimming. I started with 20 minutes of water aerobics and then I launched into laps. I am staying at a friend's house in the Palisades; they have a good sized pool along with a jacuzzi. Sitting under the stars in the jacuzzi after my swim was really relaxing.

Yesterday I did the Sand Dunes again. I went with my friends Linda and Chad. First we do the stairs adjacent to the Dunes. Then we walk down to the beach and have to walk a good incline back. We go back down the stairs after we return from the beach walk. After the stairs we do the Dune. The Dune is really hard to do. I don't even look up. I only look in front of me. If I looked up I'd be overwhelmed by the distance that I have to cover. Once you get to the top of Dunes, you really feel that you've accomplished something. I don't think that any of this would be possible without the use of an ipod. I need a soundtrack to motivate me and I have one playing in my ear the whole time.

What's going to motivate us this week?

That hike must have gotten us tired. It's quiet out there! Anyone have an interesting workout that they can motivate us with?
Last week was tough. My calves were very sore on wednesday, so my instructor gave my arms and shoulders a work out instead with just a little knee work. I am always looking for a good arm toner. One of those Gilad sessions I tried last week had him doing an exercise that I just could not handle. It looked like a push-up (not the girl kind), but you stay rigid like a plank as you lean in to your feet and keep your elbows on the floor. You stay that way for 60 seconds as you suck in your gut. I think I could only do it for 10 seconds. I am going to challenge myself to get to tht 60 second mark in two weeks. Lets see if I can do it. For more ideas for exercises to do at home I found this show/website: http://fittv.discovery.com/fansites/housecalls/trainertips/trainertips.html
feel motivated?

Pacific Palisades hike 9/3/07

That hike in the Palisades was not as nice as I last remembered it before. I don't think I have had so much dirt in my socks and that was definitely the hottest, most stifling atmosphere I've hiked in a long time. My knees are feeling their age today, but I think everyone did well, though. Even the kids at the back complained more of the flies than of the heat and hike. I stayed at a regular pace and cherished every log or rock stop. I was wondering exactly how long that Temescal trail is, so I looked it up. The website reported 5 miles for that particular trail (you can double check) and a peak at 1000 feet. I think I would like to try it again in cooler weather. The green tea helped. Here is a small photo of the group. Tonight is my 37th Pilate session. I will ask for some mercy from my trainer. We'll see.

Hot Hot Heat

This heat has been killing me. I've had a few migraines in the past few days. I think that it may be due to not drinking enough water. I thought that I had been, but obviously not. This past week I tried the sand dunes in Manhattan Beach with my friend Linda. This sand dune was nearly double the height that I thought it was going to be. I actually really enjoyed walking up it. It's difficult, but it really gives you a sense of achievement getting to the top of it.

Back in the saddle again

Given that I have this horrible history of starting and stopping exercise all throughout my life, I was afraid that I had fallen off the wagon again but only getting in two sessions last week (one was with Guapo, so it's not really heavy cardio). I started again on Monday, fearing that I had completely lost my motivation to continue exercising. Contributing to this blog has definitely helped inspire me to keep going. You guys are doing amazing things. I did get myself to run on the treadmill last night, and I plan on going back to the gym tonight and Saturday night. I'm also ice skating with some co-workers during my lunch hour today. It's been ages since I was on skates, but the coolness of the ice rink sounds just about right in this 100 degree weather.

Green with Inspiration, not envy

These blog spots are truly motivating me. I fulfilled my promise to have the TV/Gilad training thing last Saturday (since no cute Guapo is anywhere to be seen around here!) Today I was ready to relax after getting home from work. I reread the hikingblog and the two new ones about daddy and Guapo and I got into action quick. I started on two loads of laundry then grabbed my sneakers and my fabric shopping bag. Instead of driving to the supermarket, I WALKED to the closest Trader Joes. I did the gas-free environmental thing. I left the house at 6:45PM and returned at 7:47 with a 5-pound bag of groceries. All the shoppers at Trader Joes must have seen me red and huffy puffy because they sure kept away from me in the aisles! Now I know why. When I got home I saw my face red like I had a sunburn or maybe they thought I was having hot flashes or a fit or...who cares. Definitely a useful work out and the laundry is still goin'. Keep the motivation going.

Father Knows Best...

He'll never hear it from me, but my dad was actually right about me weighing myself on a regular basis. I got on the scale Monday evening, I was terrified to see the numbers. When I looked down I realized that I have lost 4 lbs in 3 weeks. I called my doctor's office, I was there 3 weeks ago for an appointment, to see what my weight had been and sure enough, I had lost 4 lbs. It was really encouraging. I'm not going to tell my dad he was right about weighing myself because I dont' want to hear it.

My trainer es muy Guapo!

Having a personal trainer in Los Angeles is about as commonplace as having a nanny in Manhattan. There are so many types to choose from: the boot camp types from Celebrity Fit Club, the Gilad types who use their previous Israeli military training experience to "motivate" you, the touchy-feely granola-y types, etc. Living in the suburbs, my trainer is my dog Guapo. Guapo stays indoors most of the day due to his separation anxiety (he was dumped at a park in East LA by his owners), so his only exposure to the outside world is his daily walk. Usually, my dad walks him and his anything-goes walking style has erased all those months of Dog Whisperer training I did on Guapo when we first got him. Once in a while, when my dad steps out to run errands, Guapo looks at me with those pleading eyes and begs me to take him out. Walking with Guapo usually involves cleaning up after his business, almost having your arm pulled out of its socket when he sees a squirrel running across the street, and prying that nasty neighbor Corgy off of Guapo's neck if the kids forget to close the door leading to their backyard.

Being dragged down the street by 50 pounds of pure muscle is not my idea of fun after a long day at the office, but Guapo just looks at me with those big sad brown eyes and I see the hope intensify in the flapping of his tail. If the people in my life all looked at me with such big sad brown eyes, forgiving people would be a piece of cake.

Up Hill Battle

This morning I did the West Hollywood hike with my trainer. We have not made it to the top of the hill yet. I will say that the entire hike was easier than last week. I'm still huffing and puffing all the way up, but somehow I'm not straining as much as I was last week. On the way back down we passed a stoner who was sitting in front of an apartment complex off of Sunset. As we passed he remarked that we would not be getting up that early to workout if we on the bowl (I believe that was a metaphor for the bong); he clearly was on the bowl.

We ended the work out with sit-ups. Next week we will ascent further than we have thus far.

THE PANTS

I have this pair of pants that I have never worn. I've had them for over a year. They are one size too small. I put them on this morning- they still don't fit. On the bright side, they weren't as tight as they had been when I had last put them on. My goal is to have these pants fit properly by the end of September. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET THE BEST OF ME, PANTS!

Red Faced

I have not yet exercised to Gilad because I keep missing his show on FitTV cable. They sure have a lot of shows. I need a fitness show or routine to aggressively counter-attack the daily stresses of my job! My trainer, Marie, had me hang from my feet for about a minute. It helped, but my fat cheeks squished my face and made my lips and face turned really red. Nice picture, eh? I am having teeth clenching issues and I can really feel it at my temples by day's end (TMJ city). Marie said that acupuncture helps with that. Anybody know if it does?

Chipping Away

Monday night I did a forty minute walk. It was pretty low-impact but I did work up a sweat. Last night I did more weights on the giant ball. I need to take it up a notch this week...hopefully I'll be able to do that. I've decided that when I'm watching TV I must be doing something like weights, or sit-ups; I'm not allowing myself to veg.

Melting as I read

You guys are doing great. Very original ideas for keeping yourselves motivated and active physically. I am really inspired by the exercise efforts and plans during this sticky-wave of humidity and mild heat. I could barely stay awake during the day. Now it is going to be a new week of exercise planning. I will have my planned two weekly sessions (can't afford more than that), but since your examples inspire me to try to be more creative , I am going to add something new and different...?...Maybe I will try a few TV work outs. I love watching my favorite TV jock GILAD on Fit TV cable. His workouts are great, he looks incredible and the background is a wonderful inspiration for visiting Hawaii. Yes, any excuse to watch that guy and the scenery. Let's see if I can at least get one TV workout done too.

"And now, I will torture you guys. . . hee hee"

That's how my ballet teacher likes to open up our adult beginner's ballet class. I've been neglecting my ballet classes for the entire month of August so I could finish the marathon that is the end of the service year pioneer crunch. With that done as of yesterday (woo hoo!), I'm committed to being a regular at my twice a week ballet class again.

Ballet provides a lot of the same benefits as yoga --- increased body awareness, strength building and improved coordination and flexibility. I started taking ballet classes with Elena, a Russian retired ballerina, when she was 5 months pregnant in December 2005. She kept on teaching for the next 3 1/2 months until she was 2 weeks away from giving birth. In that 3 1/2 months, she had gained about 25 pounds and was as big as a house but could still gracefully kick her leg up to her ear and do the splits with ease. Within four weeks of giving birth, she shrank back down to her normal weight and never missed a beat with her amazing strength and flexibility. This woman is a walking infomercial for lifelong exercise --- one that says "Exercise makes me beautiful."

BUNNS OF STEEL

Yesterday I went on an 18 mile bike ride, from El Segundo to Redondo Beach. My friend Linda invited me to go, and I'm very glad that I accepted the invitation. I hadn't been on a bike since 2000, maybe 2001. At first I looked like a feeble old woman on the bike- it was quite embarrassing.

Ridding a bike on the street has always been intimating, and at certain points in the ride we did have to negotiate some streets. For the most part we were on the bike path, and I'm more comfortable with that. About halfway into the ride I thought- I'll never make it. I was going through a rolodex in my head of who I could call to come pick me up in Redondo Beach. Then a resolve came over me that I to finish this ride, and there was no other option. We stopped and had a fabulous Italian dinner and then resumed the ride. The last leg was especially difficult because MY BUTT WAS ON FIRE. All in all I'd have to say that I had a great time and I was so overjoyed to have completed the ride, even if I had to walk my bike up the hill to Linda's house; it was all worth it.

This morning I met my trainer Cindy. We did a hike in West Hollywood that was really steep. She had weights with her and she'd have me do reps as we were walking. This walk was super challenging. At some points I felt like I was on a death-march of sorts; Cindy assures me the more we do this hike, the easier it will become. I felt really great after our workout. MY BUTT IS STILL BURNING from the last two days of activity. I'm going to go soak in Epsom salts right now.

Motivational Algebra

I've recently decided to handle my goal of exercising and eating healthier in increments --- monthly increments, that is.

Last week was week one of dieting and exercising. My goal is to do 4 sessions of aerobic exercise a week (5 times a week would be a stretch goal). So far, I've completed one full week of workouts, or 25% of my monthly goal. The end of this week, week two, would put me at 50% completion rate for my first monthly increment of intense exercise. I'm halfway during week two, and have completed 75% of this week's workouts. That means I've accomplished 7/16 of my total scheduled monthly workouts. Considering I have a history of starting and stopping early on in my previous exercise attempts I find these percentages highly motivating. I guess all that Algebra from high school did come in handy after all.

Pilates Gelato

Yet another Pilates Day (#32). I do get a work out that not only makes me sweat but makes me feel all limber and longer even if it is just in my imagination. My lower back and abdomen are definitely benefitting. I have trouble with very taught shoulders and neck. The trainers are all working on that with me, and I know I am more flexible than ever.
Well, Joe Pilates himself said "In ten sessions you will feel the difference, in twenty you will see the difference, and in thirty you'll have a whole new body." I think that for a clutzy one like me, maybe 40 sessions will do the trick?
I do want to reward myself with a gelato, though. The gelato place on Hillcrest near Los Feliz. I may have to make an excuse to go out there... mmmm

Thursday Night

Last night I did weight work while balancing on one of those giant balls. My trainer, Cindy, said that you can do all your weight work while stabalizing your core on a exercise ball at the same time. I also held the ball between my legs and did lifts. I awoke this morning and did 20 mintutes on the treadmill. Little by Little!

Start Post - Pilates day 31

I went to my 31st Pilates session yesterday with a new instructor named Emory. Not Emery, like the nail file, but Emory. Thirty first lesson definitely does not mean Pilates Master. It means I can aim both arms in the air withou tripping.