Poor little abandoned exercise video

[jethrien]

Between the novel writing in November and the general craziness of December, I've badly fallen out of my attempts at an exercise routine. Just made it through my most challenging video. (The embarrassingly named but still surprisingly fun "Crunch Fat Burning Dance Party". On one hand, it's totally lame, on the other, I actually have a really good time doing it.) Oh, my poor shaky legs. Yes, we are out of shape again. Sigh. More exercise needed, lest I stop fitting in pants.

And all kinds of unpleasant exercises are vastly preferable to the horror which is pants shopping.

Comments

[maydove.livejournal.com]

I've always had trouble finding pants that fit. I'm starting to try the leggings/skirt combo, which is pretty comfy.

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

I'm not so much a fan, but it works a lot better on people with your build, I think.

[cubby-t-bear.livejournal.com]

At last, a practical reason to exercise. That, and keeping energy levels up. The vanity-based appeals my parents use to try to make me exercise don't work with me. Special occasions aside, I really don't care that much how I look. That may change some day, but they've been saying that to me since before high school.

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

I do care how I look. I also don't want to replace perfectly good clothes. But I also just enjoy being in shape - I like being able to run up a couple flights of stairs (which I need to do a lot at work) without falling over, being able to walk briskly for long distances without getting sweaty and winded, being able to lift and carry heavy objects without hurting myself (it's especially fun to be able to carry more than my older male coworkers, who seem perpetually surprised that I can heft the conference room chairs over the table without visible strain). I like the feeling when I'm running or dancing that my body can do what I ask it to, and that I can ask a lot more than I once thought I could. I've gotten a much better sense of where my limits are. After awhile of breathing hard and feeling some burn, your body starts to realize that this does not, in fact, mean you're going to die, and stops whining so much. I remember in middle school that if I was out of breath for a bit, I'd start getting nauseated. Somewhere along the way in the last few years, my body realized that nothing bad actually happens when it gets worked hard, and now it's nowhere near as dismayed.

Which is key when you have the occasional emergency. A few months ago, I had a client dinner where the client demanded documents (at dinner!) that we had back in the office. I managed a full three-block sprint to the office and back, in heels no less, and managed to look composed enough handing the documents over that it elicited no comment. (Well, my coworkers commented later - they knew we didn't have the docs on hand, and were hella impressed.) Being able to do routine exercises means that my body's actually ready and willing when I actually need the performance. And I love that feeling.

[chantal1382.livejournal.com]

Have you tried Crossfit? They're quick, intense workouts that don't require a lot of equipment. I refused to try it for months and finally gave in a few weeks ago. The first workout kicked my ass and I had to brace myself every time I went up or down stairs for the next few days. The good thing is you can scale the workout to whatever is reasonable for you.

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

I've heard of it, but I'm kind of intimidated. I am considering trying some dance classes, though.

[feiran.livejournal.com]

If you want a dance class partner, let me know. Dance classes (for fun *and* exercise) have been on my mental to-do list for a few years now. :)

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

...I would never try physical appearance as a motivator for a guy. I've only known a handful of guys that that's a good motivator for. It's the practical stuff that's more appealing.

I like being strong, and fast. (I mean, I'm not super strong or super fast, but I'm content with my two-and-a-half miles in 23 minutes.) Chuckro can lift more than me, but not that much more, and he's got the benefits of testosterone. And he can only outrun me for the first five feet or so - after that, he doesn't have a prayer of catching me. I like that I've got endurance. And I feel like the general fitness really helps with stuff like avoiding backaches and such as well.

[cubby-t-bear.livejournal.com]

It helps you avoid backaches? Hmm. It seems there might be benefits to this exercise thing. I mean, I've known intellectually that is the case, but on a personal level there never seemed to be that much reason - historically the only times I've gotten regular exercise was when it was part of a group-social activity (at a lot of my summer jobs, the interns bonded by playing things like frisbee, or going hiking, and that was very nice).

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

If your core muscles are stronger, it can help with back issues.

[lithoglyphic.livejournal.com]

Your last sentence is spot on.