My new hero

More writing to follow.

High Intensity Training

In my last post, I wrote that I was ready to start pushing myself hard again. As the subtitle of this blog states: Some exercise is better than none, and more is better than some. For the past few weeks, I had been operating in the "some is better than none" zone. I was hardly exerting a robust effort, but life was a bit hectic and I was glad to even make it to the gym. Any one who knows me knows that half-assing it while I'm there isn't something I'm comfortable sticking with for very long. Although, maybe "half-assing" it isn't exactly the best term. (Actually, it's an odd term if you think about it for too long.) I realize many people loathe working out and, for them, if they can muster the fortitude to even get to the gym, even stay there for 30 minutes, or even walk a brisk 4.0 on the treadmill, then that's their gold star for the day. I think that is laudable.


For me though, it's different. I yearn to sweat profusely. When I'm at yoga, I dare my body to be pushed to its edge. When I'm lifting weights, I want to be assured that my blowdryer will seem too heavy to lift once I've showered and begun to attack my hairstyle. Operating in that realm of mind over body is something I relish. I am inspired when I think of Thomas Edison's quote and applying it to myself. "If we did all the things we were capable of doing, We would literally astound ourselves." What are my limits? If I can do bicep curls with 10lb. weights, can I lift 12 or 15lbs? If I can run quick intervals at 6.0 on the treadmill, am I capable of holding that pace for a full mile? One day will I be able to do a worthy, deep half-moon pose if I keep stretching and pushing my body through space?


I like to ponder the possibilities. Some days I wonder if I'm a control freak and maybe I'm zealous with working out since I believe (sometimes falsely so) that if I am stringent enough, I can completely control the shape of the skin I'm in. Other times, I think maybe I sell myself short when really I am ambitious and goal-oriented. I always want to see what's beyond the next plateau, the next mountain range.

Today I stand at the precipice of a cliff. Each day is a new dawn with the promise of fulfilling a greater potential. Maybe yesterday wasn't my best effort, but only I can drive myself to determining my effort for the next challenge. With that mindset, I spent 60 minutes on sweat and blood-pumping cardio last night. I'm sure it's the most I've perspired while at Planet Fitness. I was soaked, but (yes, Ed) I was listening to some good country and techno music, I felt the fibers of my being working smoothly and efficiently. It's probably trite to say but I felt alive, awake, and proud of myself. When others caved, I persevered. Yes, it was that stimulating of a workout.

Every day is a winding road.

My usual routine was thrown wildly off kilter with some big life changes in the past couple of weeks. I bought a new car (which meant a lot of time spent at dealerships) and I moved in with my boyfriend to a new (rental) house in Northville. I also spent a night or two cleaning the old places to reclaim as much of our security deposits as possible. And a few evening I have had the itch to go out and shop for new stuff or spend time unpacking or organizing, thereby omitting gym time from my day.

But I am determined to get back on track. It helps that my yoga package still has a bunch of classes remaining. And, the best part is that I am within a five-minute walking distance to my gym! I love that I now have no need for a gym bag. I can come home and change and then walk there.

Another reason to force myself back to my old ways is that Jason and I *finally* booked a flight to Florida for May. It's just a quick jaunt but it's an exciting one with palm trees and bikinis nonetheless!! Nothing like the motivator of translucent, Midwest skin being exposed to the blazing sun to keep my goals in check!

I am on pace for a good week so far. On Monday I exerted myself with 45 minutes of cardio and a slew of upper body weights. I hit up a Bikram class last night. Today I plan to just rock out another 60 minutes of cardio. I'm thinking maybe I'll run a bit and maybe I'll throw in the elliptical and the bike to challenge up my system with variation. It's time to jumpstart the healthy living. It's spring!