Saturday, June 1, 2013

In Which I Surprse Myself

When the rainbow hair crashed and burned (i.e. blended together) I went back to default pink.


Kitty!


I hit up the gym on Tuesday. My goal was to walk one lap around the track (1/12th of a mile) and ride the bike for two miles. I was nervous to do even the one lap, worried my body would give out halfway around the track and I’d have to hobble back.

Dude. I walked a mile. I WALKED A MILE! I couldn't even do that shit in high school! I just kept thinking, well, let's see if I can do one more lap... After six laps, the bike I use became free so I climbed aboard, not expecting much after walking a 1/2 mile. I actually managed a mile and some change on the bike. Sweating like a horse, legs aching, but almost NO back pain. I decided to see if I could still do a lap after the bike. Well, let’s see if I can do one more lap… And I did that six times. I walked a mile! I haven't been able to walk even a few yards without screaming pain since my fall around seven years ago. (My chiropractors are fucking miracle workers!) At the end of the 12th lap, I kinda wanted to start crying. I managed to shock the HELL out of myself!

I went back Wednesday morning to check out the weight room. My plan was to use 2lb weights and do 10 reps of the arms workout I put together online. Um. Ended up using 5lb weights and doing 45 reps. Next time I’m going to increase the weight and lower the number of reps. I keep seeming to underestimate my own abilities. I felt fine when I left but a few hours later…oy. Combined with the throbbing sore legs caused by the day before, I was a big ol’ achy mess! But a really proud mess. I think, what I'll do is: Monday, Wednesday, Friday = Walk and/or bike. Monday & Friday (I can’t afford the gas to go five days a week) = 10lb weights, two sets of 10 reps. Yes. That’s my plan. Stay with me, broken little body, we’ll figure out what’s best for you, I swear!

 Books Read February - May
The Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker (Oh my god, how have I never read Clive Barker before this?!?!)
Cruddy by Lynda Barry (This is another in the HOW HAVE I NOT READ THIS YET!! category.)
Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison (I don't often cry at books but this one... God, it gutted me.)
The Sum of Her Parts by Alan Dean Foster
Shattered Souls by Daniele Lanzarotta (meh, quit about a quarter of the way in)
The Hollow Man by Oliver Harris
One Jump Ahead by Mark L Van Name
Slanted Jack by Mark L Van Name
Brace Yourself by Alysia Angel
Bright-Sided: How Positive Thinking Is Undermining America by Barbara Ehrenreich
Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Foundlings by Diana Peterfreund

Movies Discovered February - May
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Lesbian Vampire Hunters
Carnival of Souls (Rifftrax)
Brainiac (Rifftrax)
Rob Zombie's Halloween 1 and 2
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter (was super disappointed)
The Warriors
Pink Ribbons, Inc
Prisoners of the Lost Universe (Rifftrax)
Lilo & Stitch (I can’t believe how long it took to finally watch it!)
Friday the 13th (and a ton of the sequels)
Hellraiser (and a ton of the sequels)
Nightmare on Elm Street 2 - 4 (I think)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake aka LOOK! I CAN SEE JESSICA BIELS’ NIPPLES!

TV Discovered February - May
Hannibal

15 comments:

  1. How are you enjoying Hannibal? My sister's really into it but I'm wary. (Partly due to squeamishness, which I suppose I can get over) but also because it has all these devoted fans and I'm intimidated by stuff with fans. Is it good?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really like it a lot! But it IS gruesome. The only issue I've had is that sometimes the particular case being worked on isn't given enough time. I'm interested in the psychology of crime so I do, at times, wish they'd devote more to the specific killer they're looking for.

      Delete
  2. Congrats! :)

    One thing about weights that I always tell women who are starting out: Thing about the things you carry every day. Your purse. A backpack. Your baby or toddler, if you have one. A bag of groceries. A gallon of milk. How much do those things weigh? Then you should start out weight lifting with at least that much weight. Women who start with 2lb weights are totally shortchanging themselves. They lift more than that every single day multiple times a day.

    Good luck with your plan!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a very good point!! I'm definitely going to try to push myself more.

      Delete
  3. Walking is great for the back! So glad to read your wonderful progress!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm super excited about it all!

      Delete
  4. GO HEIDI! Keep up the great work! I worked out last week for the first time in a long time, and plan to work out today! You rule!

    ReplyDelete
  5. If you have access to a bathtub, try a bath with Epsom salts when you have sore muscles. Really helps and you will absorb magnesium (which most of us don't get enough of). Good for you for braving the gym!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sadly I don't. But there is a hot tub at the gym that I've considered using! I think my body would like it if I did so!

      Delete
  6. Attagirl!

    And yes, higher weight, lower reps. If you can do 45 reps, the weight's too light! You might consider, instead of 2 sets of 10 reps, 3 sets of 5 reps (it's the Rippetoe way!). That'll let you see what you can really lift and work at the edge of your ability, and at the edge of your ability is where you want to be with weights.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Fuck yes fuck yes fuck yes!!! Go Heidi!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I need to know what you thought of Cruddy. It's my number one, all time favorite book. My copy of it looks like it's been through a tornado.

    -Ami (oneirocritical)

    Chasingamianne@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete