Criss-Cross Applesauce

Being overweight makes some physical things difficult. A basic everyday task like picking something up off the floor can cause a scene for an overweight person. At my heaviest weight of 388 pounds somethings would have to just stay on the floor until someone else offered to pick it up for me. Sad, I know.  Now that I've lost weight it's gotten much easier, but I still am unable to kneel.

Kneeling for most "normal" sized folks seems like an easy task. But, think about it kneeling is virtually a very deep squat. If you have excess weight on your body it becomes more difficult. If I have to grab something out of the bottom drawer or off the bottom shelf instead of  kneeling, I bend. Bending is much easier on my knees, but it's incorrect form. The more active I've become I notice stuff like that. I'm always envious when I see someone kneel down with ease. I think to myself one day, I'll be able to do that too.

Another simple function that I have on my to-do-list is to sit comfortably in criss-cross applesauce position. Again, I can do it, but it's a little problematic. It's the getting up and down off the floor that causes me havoc.

As most of you know, I never learned how to ride a bike because my weight hindered me (read previous blog post here). Today, with my new active lifestyle and renewed spirit, I'm ready to conquer riding a bike. I've decided that no matter what I want to do in life - big or small - I'm just going to go for it. So no more waiting around until I'm smaller, fitter; the time is now.  I'm going make it a point to kneel instead of bend. My wobbly knees will have to eventually get use to it. And, I'm going to practice sitting in criss-cross applesauce more often too.

Exercise is Everywhere

Just in from a nice interval walk along the Columbia Waterfront Renaissance walking trail. Y'all know by now I'm a proponent of walking. It's such a good form of exercise. It's free. And all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other. Most everyone can do that. Best of all, you can do it anywhere. Everywhere. Come to think of it there are so many forms of exercise (squats, push-ups, planks) we can do anywhere.

Living in the Pacific NW makes exercising everywhere even easier with all the beautiful parks and sites to visit and see. So if you can't make it to the gym don't let that stop you. Exercise is everywhere you just have to have the desire to do it.

In between my sprints, I snapped a few photos. From the trails...

Tug-of-war

Squats. Lunges. Push-ups. Typical exercises found in most workout routines. We done plenty of them in yesterday's boot camp, but we also done a little something unexpected, something fun -- a game of tug-of-war. Whew!

When I saw Trevor grab that huge, thick rope my eyes lit up. I haven't played tug-of-war since I was a kid. We anxiously formed two teams, grabbed our spots in line, and started digging in. Tugging back and forth. Tug. Tug. Tug.  My heart was beating fast. It felt like it was going to pop out of my chest. But, I was having too much fun to care I just keep digging.

I never realized I was so competitive. I really started getting into it.  Round two I was first in line. Digging hard. We tugged and tugged. A few times the other team started pulling away from us. I was screaming "PULL." We pulled ourselves to victory that round.

Afterwards we were breathing hard, smiling, and laughing. Feeling like kids again. It's nice to do something different like a game of tug-of-war to break up the typical workout routine. Thanks, Trevor for the unexpected, fun challenge.

I'm really digging my new training studio Northwest Personal Training. It's kinda cool and different.  Wanna join in on the fun and get fit? Email me: farewellfatso@gmail.com for your complimentary pass.

My Post-Recovery Wish List

Hooray! This Sunday, I get to lose my crutches part-time. I still have a ways to go before I'm fully recovered, but with hard work and good favor. I'll be back in action soon. I was thinking of the first things I want to do once I'm able. Here they are:

• Starting with a dynamic warm-up, a kick butt full-body, cardio workout (Including push-ups, squats, lunges, deadlifts, modified pull ups, snatches, and the Farmer's Walk). I'll end the session with a jog on the treadmill with my French rap music blarin'.

2/12/11 - My final jog at Mt.Tabor Park before my accident 

• A visit to Mt.Tabor Park where I'll take on all five hilly miles, and 300+ stairs just like I did a week before my injury.

• Dance the night away at my favorite Reggae club.

See, I really don't ask for much. I'm thinking my wishes will come true.