Feel the Power Friday

**mrisch**[$] · #1 10-05-2001, 02:10 AM

Exercise and fitness are empowering. Take control of yours.

In step class, I often see the new people stand in the back of the class. I suppose they don't want to look bad - I know I started in the back. Here's what I found out - in the back, I couldn't see the steps, and in step class if you are not stepping, you are not exercising.

So, I took control, and I moved to the second row on the right. Why? First, it is easier to look to the left. Also, I had the teacher in front of me as well as a row of experts whose feet I watch.

Boy was it scary - all those people behind me watching me. But I took control of my exercise program and learned the steps. People still watch me, only now it is to make sure they are doing it right, and I move and groove, despite having a terrible sense of dance rhythm.

The NFL has a series of commercials called "Feel the Power". They focus on fans who never missed games, big hits, great catches, the feeling you get when you are in control and successful. And it feels good.

The point of all this? To succeed, you must take control of your program. YOU are the one eating (or not). YOU are the one walking (or not). YOU are the one you are doing this for. No one else knows you walked that extra mile, but it doesn't matter, because YOU do. Everyone else noticing is just a side benefit.

murasaki · #2 10-05-2001, 07:15 AM

My husband and I are sneaking off for the long weekend to celebrate our anniversary. I plan to get in a lot of walking since we're taking the train to New York City.

Other than that, I'm still recovering from aching muscles though I did have a great weight-lifting session yesterday

--naomi
who'll be back on Monday

**taurusmoon** · #3 10-05-2001, 07:29 AM

Back of the room? I'm the one peeking in the door from the hallway.

But that should change soon. I told my possible gym buddy to put up or shut up. But, much more pleasantly that that. She's going to give me her decision today. Next week, I'm either going to sign up at the Y or go for a tour of a place that she recommends. (If she comes back with a recommendation.)

I'm getting very frustrated with the diminishing daylight. I haven't had a decent walk all week. Yesterday was a bit of a departure though. I had heard about 3 guys from work who were getting together to play tennis near my house. I figured I'd walk over to meet them and watch them play for a while. That would give me a short, but somewhat satisfying destination for a walk. And, a few potential chuckles to boot.

Unfortunately, the courts they were going to were locked. I wound up driving around with them searching for another school or park that might be open. Turns out after another failure one of the guys, who needed to hit the road, gave up early and left his tennis raquet with us.

Well we finally found a court. But it was about 30 minutes before dark. One thing I didn't mention is that I totally suck at tennis. I mean totally suck. But.... there was this extra raquet there. So, I joined them in swatting the ball around. Although, most of the time I was swatting at air.

Point is, I forgot how embarrased I was and just had fun. And, got a great workout that made up for my missing walk. Of course, I'm going to get razzed big time when I get to the office today. That's okay. One of the razzers reports to me.

Sara

**taurusmoon** · #4 10-05-2001, 07:32 AM

Have a great time Naomi!

If it wasn't a romantic getaway I'd blast you for not giving me a heads up that you'd be in town.

But it is. So I won't.

Sara

jenninca · #5 10-05-2001, 07:38 AM

SARA!!! Guess what I just bought for $4.99 at Goodwill the other day--a tennis racket! Jon (boyfriend) wants a tennis partner. He doesn't "really" play, but wants to try it. I can't get the ball over the net if following the serving rules, but I agreed to try it with him.

The psychic connections continue...

Cindy

**taurusmoon** · #6 10-05-2001, 07:43 AM

Do do do do
Do do do do

Sara
Who was (prior to yesterday) thinking about taking tennis lessons at the Y in the spring

**pluckyduck** · #7 10-05-2001, 08:56 AM

ROFLMAO!

Guess who else has been thinking about tennis?

Wish I had time for the long story (with me there is always a l-o-n-g story

), but suffice it to say for the moment:

1) I don't have a clue how to play
2) I don't know anyone who plays tennis
3) I certainly don't have any tennis equipment

Why thinking about tennis?

There are tons of tennis courts in my neighborhood. I have always wanted to play tennis (there is the long story). And THINK OF THE STEPS.

Okay, only time to say that

I need to whine today!

Not a bad whine, just

life is crashing in on my time and I have a completely totally packed day

No steps, no time to read any thread other than this....two kids to get off to school and a 9AM sharp meeting at work which means I better dress myself, too.

Hope to check in you guys later in the day.

Andrea

cyndilouwhoo · #8 10-05-2001, 09:07 AM

Well morning all!

I finally have something to whine about.

Although I got in mega steps running around after kids at my daughter's party (and got in 2 good walks in the a.m. getting the kids back and forth to school), rehearsal for my play got me squat for strolling #'s. (although I did run up and down stairs several bazillion times)

And the play is just awful to boot. I am so disappointed. We open next week and it is shaping up to be an unmitigated disaster.

I can hardly wait to see the reviews in the regional paper--one that is small enough so that my friends out of state won't see it, but definitely large enough so that all my in-state friends will.

So not only did I not get a lot of steps in yesterday, I am totally bummed out that I am in a woof-woof of a theatrical production.

Two bright notes tho':

The set is awesome. I was jumpin' up and down.

I could very effectively jump up and down because I am seeing muscles in the front of my upper legs, where no muscles were before.

Hooray for stepping!

Hope your day goes better for you all than I know mine will.

And on a side note: For the record, I have not had even a tiny thought about Tennis--so apparently I have no psychic connection with anyone today...

Cyndi

Head Whiner on Fridays

#9 10-05-2001, 12:06 PM

I am going to take control today!

City laws state that there's got to be a sidewalk on at least one side of any roadway where people might walk. There's crossing signals at one intersection, but no sidewalks or paths. And the jackass construction workers have dug up a pit making my pathway muddy and icky and I have to scrape off my shoes at the end of a walk when I do that circuit. Another place doesn't have a sidewalk because an apartment complex put the fences right up along the street.

I'm writing the city web site and bitching about those two spots. Jackasses!

It may not be control, but I'm letting them know that they've abused their authority and done a disservice to their community and those who use those areas.

AND I WILL FIND EVEN BETTER AND COOLER PLACES DO TO MY DAILY WALKS!

**lynnzop**[$] · #10 10-05-2001, 01:56 PM

Quote:

I could very effectively jump up and down because I am seeing muscles in the front of my upper legs, where no muscles were before.

Mine too!!!!

And my calves don't wobble any more either!

Yay for stepping!

Unfortunately, while I am starting to love running, my knees aren't. I was about 2 miles from home last nite when my left knee (NOT the one that's been damaged in the past) went beyond a twinge and almost buckled on me.

I LIKE to run. Unfortunately, as my WW friend at work reminded me, my knees may betray me.

But I DO like seeing muscles in my legs (and arms)...even when I was skinny, I never had MUSCLES.

Lynn

cyndilouwhoo · #11 10-05-2001, 03:12 PM

Whoo Hoo!

Yay Muscles!!

Cyndi

Who is developing the most awesome biceps and triceps--from carrying my poor old dog up and downstairs 50 times a day.

#12 10-05-2001, 03:38 PM

Oh, yeah... I took control today. For half of my walk/jog it was pissing down rain with a red-yellow on that doppler radar but I didn't even flinch. Went right through it and even extended the walk distance for the sheer f- of it.

Not even GOD will stop me.

**taurusmoon** · #13 10-05-2001, 03:41 PM

Looks like you missed your calling.

You should have been a mail carrier.

Sara

#14 10-05-2001, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by taurusmoon
Looks like you missed your calling.

You should have been a mail carrier.

I'm not qualified. I never gunned down and killed all my co-workers at my last job.

But there's still time.

**taurusmoon** · #15 10-05-2001, 04:02 PM

Well, if you can't go back to the station, there's always McDonald's.

Which is the longer walk?

Sara
Who should know better than to encourage him

**pluckyduck** · #16 10-05-2001, 07:58 PM

SCREAAAAAAAM!

What a 24 hours!!! Nothing bad, I have just been running my not so little ass off ragged. Started with Back to School Night II yesterday evening (lasted 2.5 hours) and ended with me shoving the kids in the car for a trip to Grandma's house for the weekend.

What insanity in between.

Nothing remotely health and fitness got done in those 24 hours. I had no time for any stepping yesterday, no time for dinner before Back to School, ended up eating three donuts

at the school because I was starving...ran around from early this morning getting stuff together I'd promised the school.....had to do laundry for the kids to have clean underwear....actually went to work and did my job....came racing home....

I haven't taken my vitamins, drunk my water, eaten properly or exercised anything in the last 24 hours.

The wheels are falling off the bus!!!!

And believe me, it's a school bus.

Andrea
finding no wine is heading for the Jack Daniels BRB!

*** edited to add -- I forgot my football picks!!!

The irony of this thread being about "empowerment" is not lost on me

**mrisch**[$] · #17 10-05-2001, 08:50 PM

I changed the due date on the football picks. You all have until Sunday AM.

**pluckyduck** · #18 10-05-2001, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrisch
I changed the due date on the football picks. You all have until Sunday AM.

Yay to that! Dennis gave me that good news a few minutes ago in another thread (yes, I'm crossposting!

)

Now, are you going to come out to the East Coast and take some of this school crap off of me?

Andrea
who will mellow out, really, in just a few minutes

**mrisch**[$] · #19 10-05-2001, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pluckyduck
Now, are you going to come out to the East Coast and take some of this school crap off of me?

Most assuredly not. My wife is working 2 jobs at her school (for the price of one!) and worked nights and weekends for two weeks getting ready for Back to School.

Her reward? The first grading period ends Tuesday.

quasar · #20 10-05-2001, 09:45 PM

I was hoping to take a walk to the mall at lunch. I was hoping to go home early.

I am still at work. If I even ate lunch it was years ago and something unappetizing that was here.

I am in the home stretch, but I need to pretend it's Wednesday and WHINE

Okay I'm done now.

Janice

cyndilouwhoo · #21 10-05-2001, 10:00 PM

Excellent whine Janice...Short, sweet and to the point

Unlike some other whines in this thread

Cyndi

Who really needs an editor

**conradd** · #22 10-05-2001, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cyndilouwhoo
For the record, I have not had even a tiny thought about Tennis--so apparently I have no psychic connection with anyone today...

do do do do
do do do do

I hadn't considered tennis either.

Deb
your psychic sidekick

#23 10-06-2001, 02:12 AM

Aside from turning ankles easily, blisters, psycho drivers, and sore calves my walking routine has been pretty much low-impact and safe and productive.

However.

Sitting at my computer chair reading The Onion and showing my wife the Michael Jorden Returns To The NBA graphic is not safe or low-impact. Piper, who had just launched herself up on top of the bookshelf from the back of my reclining expensive German leather chair, decided to come back down instead of waiting for Daddy to vacate the chair. Back of chair gets impact of 7-pound mass of furrystupid, front of chair slides up, feet flip up quickly, instep of foot slams against bottom of solid wooden computer table.

I have ice on it right now.

I AM PISSED AT PIPER. She is on her comfy little throw-rug under the computer table looking up at me thinking I'm going to let her sit in my lap and pet her and give her fuzzyface.

So, how many calories is cat per pound?