Shape Up Shoes

I wore my new Skecher Shape-ups today. The shoe company claims that "Shape-ups® shoes are a great way to exercise while you go about your busy day! Walking in Shape-ups can help burn more calories, tone muscles and more." I just didn't want to look like an idiot in them. I love that the shoes make me an inch or two taller. The shoes challenge balance so I had to give walking some extra thought. I didn't want people to think I was drunk. The shoes remind me of my roller blades which had a habit of veering me into bushes.

Gym Update

I've been averaging 3 to 4 times a week at the gym, sometimes during lunch, sometimes at night. I'm really proud of myself, mostly, because I haven't grown to resent the grind yet. :)

During my three months at the gym, I've learned 

• One bathroom stall won't latch.
• It sometimes takes forever for warm water to come out of the showers. Seriously, the pool would be warmer at times.
• How annoying it is when people talk on their cell phones while exercising.
• You can't hear the TV through some of the machines. A real problem since the tube helps distract me from my grueling jog.
• How much I enjoy getting back into shape.  

The toning continues. My tush is definitely more toned. I'm jogging 30 minutes at a time and not passing out.

After church tonight, one of my fellow communion ministers asked if I had lost weight! (Not really, maybe 3 to 5 lbs but who's counting, right?) He said my face looked a little different. He wondered if I had been working out.

Whoo hoo! I just hope I can stay motivated. I sure love feeling a little leaner and the extra boost of energy I receive from the workouts is great!

From the Redwood Forest to the Alpine hills

The gym was crazy crowded again tonight. So, I first tackled a bike. It was an Expresso bike which means it has a hard seat, no creature comforts, but it also has a screen where you can pick from biking in the Redwood Forest or chugging up and down the Alpine hills. Despite the literal pain in the butt I felt, I did both of those treks. While you're biking, other bikers speed past you. I guess it's for motivation. In the beginning, I was just happy to keep the bike on the trail because I wanted to watch TV and realized I couldn't do both at the same time.

Now, it's confession time. During the two or three times I came upon a bicyclist I ran into the person. I was almost giddy with myself. I'm sure the people on nearby bikes were wondering about me.

Gym Lessons Learned

I joined a nearby gym through a reduced membership program offered by work. It's been awhile since I've been to a gym. I still feel like I don't have much time to devote to it and, frankly, I feel guilty when I'm not with Jack even though he's in Mike's capable hands.

 

I've been to the gym twice since the beginning of this year and these are the lessons I've learned. 

• Airlines give out free headphones for a reason. They're insta junk. I tried to use one tonight and it busted on me.
• If you're wearing a black bra to work, it's probably a good idea to bring a different colored bra (say white) if you wear a white t-shirt to the gym. AKA I don't want to do the Bridget Jones thing. It's a good thing my t-shirt was a thick one.
• The track is like a race track for bi-pedals. I use the walk lane to cool down after a jog on the tread mill. Others use it as a passing change to run past another runner who is too slow for them. Good thing the walk lane is wider than the runner lane.

Despite feeling guilty when I'm away from Jack, it feels good to be back at a gym, although it really feels like a workout, not so much fun.