"To Save Our Lives"

Yesterday, Exercise Technique class was all about the pull-up. For some reason, I was so pumped up during the class session. Maybe because I like to see folks get gritty and limits being pushed. Pulling your own body weight certainly fits the bill.

After watching demonstration after demonstration of all the variations of the pull-up and there were many. I asked my instructor why we do pull-ups. She simply answered, "To Save Our Lives." That's HUGE. Think about it...If you were drowning and a rescue crew threw you a rope...In your current physical condition, could you pull your body up? Hmm...most folks probably couldn't. I know, I couldn't. Gotta go, it's pull-up time.

Check out my classmates in ACTION:

Go, Amiah -- the only female in the class to take on the BIG bar, Kipping Pull-up




My boy, Will hitting the One Arm Pull-Up

 

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. 

Smart and balanced

A couple of months ago I wrote a blog post, “Scared and a little stupid.” At the time I wasn’t feeling so good and my body was giving me all the signals to slow down. But, I was hard headed and I didn’t listen. I forged ahead to the gym on an empty stomach, light headed, and dizzy. I nearly fainted in Pilates and had to leave class prematurely. That incident was one of my first wake-up calls to take better care of myself. Sometimes it’s important to just STOP. RECOVER. REFUEL. Coming from a person who avoided exercise like the plague and ate whatever foods I wanted. I admit, I have turned my obsession in quite the opposite direction. I eat and breathe health and fitness. It consumes me. I want out of this body so bad and sometimes I just can’t and won’t sit still.

Last weekend, my body, mind, and soul were tired. I was - I guess you could say - tapped out. So I decided to take the weekend off from exercising and thinking too much about it. Time to just chill and relax. I realized after some self-reflection what my life needs is balance. Here’s a recap of my week:

·      Monday – I worked with my Megan, my trainer. Accomplished things I never accomplished before: 33 pushups and 25 modified pull-ups.

·       Tuesday - I hit the gym HARD. I was moving around like Agile Abigail. I tell you I had full command of the gym. I was a Rock star.

·      Wednesday – A vigorous cardio workout followed by a return to Yoga class. In Yoga I discovered my body is in need of TLC. Despite being stronger and fitter my body is really wacked. A blog post about Yoga is forthcoming.

·      Thursday – A tune-up type workout with Megan and I started my pre-training jog for the half marathon I’m participating in this June.

·       Today, Friday - It seems I have hit another brick wall. I’m physically tapped out.

After reviewing my week I guess maybe I still missed the mark in the area of balance. But, to make good on the week I’m not working out today. And, I’m not going to beat myself up about it. Heck, I work hard. My body works hard. I give all of myself when at the gym or with Megan. I respect and cherish my body and its limits. Today I grant my body the rest it deserves. After all, slow and steady wins the race. This is about the overall, big picture and I’m destined to win even if I take a day off here and there. I’m smart and balanced.

"...Life’s a great balancing act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.” ~Dr. Seuss