Tag Archives: stomach

Bum Body Workouts?

So here’s what happened.  Wednesday, I went to boot camp in the morning (go me!).  Then, I played tennis that night (yay!).  However, in the 5th game of tennis, I got a sharp pain in my left hip (just when my right hip was feeling better), right in front along the “panty line.”  There was no real big movement that caused it or anything, but I limped the rest of the night.  The next day, one would think the pain would have subsided.  When it happened, it felt weird – like hitting your funny bone – or a jammed finger.  I thought for sure I could “walk it off.”  Yet, every 100 or so steps I took, there would be a sharp pain, and this carried over into Friday.

In addition to the so-called injury (I mean, nothing really happened; it just started hurting), I felt some of the normal aches and pains of boot camp, times about 5.  In particular, I had some ankle pains and my bad knee throbbed.  Heavy, heavy sigh.

Where I’ve landed with this: I picked up my workouts, over-did it, and ended up out of commission.

So. Frustrating.  I may struggle with food above all else, but when it comes to workouts, I am ready to give it all I have and I feel like my body continually holds me back.

So, unable to work out, save equipment and places I don’t have ready access to, I did not work out Thursday, Friday, Saturday and as I write this, Sunday is still up in the air.  I’m in the process of researching some other options for now.  I’m sure that somewhere there is a lap pool, or one of those arm cycler things, that I can use, but as of Thursday, I didn’t have a little black book of such resources to call upon.

This got me thinking.  My two main sources of exercise, tennis and boot camp, are both pretty high impact; demanding on the body if you will.  And, though I love them both, when one or the other injures my body, I don’t have many options for lower-impact exercise while I recover.  Even walking was a non option when I hurt my hip.

What’s a girl to do?

Well, I’m exploring gyms.  Budget-wise, I can’t do tennis lessons AND boot camp AND the gym.  I probably couldn’t find the time to get the value out of all three anyways.  I was already contemplating a summer hiatus from tennis lessons just because of the heat, and my commitment to boot camp ends in three months (unless I have a medical reason to take a break… though I’d still need to finish out the 3 months once I’m better).  All this to say, I have budget for a gym membership!

Friday, I visited three gyms, and then three others on Saturday.  I plan to tell you allllll about it (such different experiences!), but the front-runner offers all kinds of classes, including rock walls, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding.  In addition to a pool (low impact!), they have all kinds of weight machines and cardio equipment, yoga, Pilates, spin, pump, pseudo ballet and more.    There is even a dog-friendly path around a “lake.”  Oh, and group swim IN the lake (it’s a quarry, filled with water, ya’ll).  The price is comparable to boot camp and tennis lessons, so I could choose which to replace very easily.  I’m pretty excited about this plan.

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Recognize.

I bought these size 20 jeans around Christmas.  They were a little higher waisted than I usually go for – hitting me about 1.5 inches above the belly button, but they were a color I was drawn to.  When I tried them on, they were snug, but only when I inhaled.   When I sat down for the first time, holy moly help me Jesus!  It felt like I was wearing a 1” belt and cinching it much like cartoon characters that haven’t eaten in months (Sylvester the cat comes to mind).

I would unbutton the top button and literally fold the top inch of the jeans in, so I’d have extra room, but really this just created bulk.  Sigh…

I stopped wearing them for a week or two, but today I just needed a clean pair of pants (know what I mean!?).  It was awesome.  They behaved like a pair of jeans I’d been wearing for a few days without washing – all stretched out and comfy.  In fact, I had to ask myself if they were in fact fresh-washed, or if I’d just thrown them on the hanger (I’m not embarrassed to admit I do that).  (Well, maybe a little).

But no, no, no.  I’m skinnier.  I FEEL skinnier.  Shirts fit me better.  The muffin top is more like mini muffin top (remember mini muffins?  My friend Bryn used to sing a song about them that went to the tune of Pretty Woman – “Mini muffins…. Walking down the street… the kind I like to eat… but I digress…).

I am thinner.  For reals.  Recognize.

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The Changes I Can’t See

Tonight, two amazing things happened!  First, I did a 40 minute elliptical workout.  No, that’s not any particular feat for me, but the way my heart responded and the way I continue to feel post work-out is so surprising.  I rocked that elliptical.  Usually it winds me after just a few minutes.  My thighs and abs are a little sore, but I feel GREAT an hour and a half after.

I think all that working out last week did wonders for my heart and continues to make it stronger.  It’s so interesting to see how I have to work harder to get my heart rate up – it has to mean good things!

The second thing that happened today is I realized my stomach has finally gotten used to less food.  I feel full on less food, and don’t have pangs of hunger an hour later.  I’m satiated on a meal I perhaps would have considered a ‘boring snack’ before.

And just for kicks, I would like to throw out there that not eating out for the month of November has been so rewarding and easy.  I considered doing it for December, but ultimately think I’ll give myself another type of challenge.  I can’t wait to tell ya’ll how November shakes – out :)

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