Wednesday, March 27, 2019

WWU - Exercise...More Fun Than You'd Think!

You know those television commercials that show the athlete gritting through exertion and pain, sweating to get that weight lifted, or that tennis ball smashed, or the one who's jumping across something while running really fast?  They make exercise look both inspiring and aspirational to me but at the same time, not a whole lot of fun.  I don't have the mental fortitude to workout like that, but I'm not going to get down on myself because honestly, I do believe that you can get a good workout in and have fun at the same time.

Case in point:  Basically all of the workouts we do at BCS Fitness.  They are never the same, which keeps it interesting - you don't get tired of doing the same thing over and over.  And while it is challenging, it's also crazy and pretty entertaining.  A couple of weeks ago coach Jared had us doing bear crawls using dumbbells.  I laughed as I channeled my inner Thor, having recently seen Chris Hemsworth doing the same thing on his Instagram page.  Why yes, I follow a bunch of knitters, yarn dyers, some succulent growers, and Thor (ok Chris Hemsworth) on Instagram.  It's all I need.

Last week the weather was beautiful so Jared hauled the sleds outside and we did a tag team sled push.  This was my first time ever doing that and my heart was pounding with the exertion which was interesting because at first it didn't seem hard - until you pushed it a long way!  I hope we do it again soon.
Fun Jared and me.

Oh and because I'm not doing as much leg work at the moment while we try to get my arthritic hip and knee to calm down, I'm getting in a lot of core and arm work.  Last week I was doing the bench press after spending time doing a lot of arms, and on my second round of that my arms were shaking so much that my legs even started shaking.  Jared was right there and had me just hold the bar up for the short time remaining, and even though I was shaking like crazy and feeling weak, it was still an exhilarating feeling.

Second case in point:  Running.  I've been changing things up lately - it all began when Diane suggested that we do sprints after a long run, and the adrenaline rush that came with that has led to more sprints, some runs where we push the pace for a mile, and running without doing intervals.  It's quite a change and not easy, but it's weirdly enjoyable.

We changed it up even more for our run yesterday - Jeff and I met Diane at a park at 5:30 am and ran a two miles, finishing with a loop that goes up and down.  We had the hard part of running up but then got the pure joy of flying down and boy do we ever enjoy that!  Then we did sprints on the flat section afterward, because it's fun to end with speed.

Tomorrow we'll work on pushing the pace, but in my neighborhood, where the roads are dead flat.  And Saturday, we're planning on running 4 or 5 miles at an easy pace - hey, we still need to get our talking in sometimes while we run!

So if you are like I used to be, a non-exerciser, a non-athlete, someone who thought that the only way to get a good workout was to be miserable, try it my way.  Do whatever you can to have fun while you workout and leave the suffering to the professionals on TV!

18 comments:

  1. Awesome post! It reminded me of how much I do love that exhilaration of a good exercise!!! I had forgotten...I want to get back to that!!!!

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  2. You have good ways of changing things up to make them fun and having that support group of runners helps. I sometimes get into a rut because it's just me.

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    1. Oh for sure, having different people with different ideas helps tremendously!

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  3. Thanks for the reminder that exercise is supposed to be fun. Sometimes, I think I forget that. Also, any update on how your hip and knee are doing?

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    1. Never forget the fun! ;)

      Hip and knee have been not great this week. Coincidentally I finished my round of steroids when the worst of the pain returned (it never fully went away). Going back to my ortho on Tuesday to see what else we can do.

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  4. It's said that variety is what keeps you going and keeps your body improving. When I was a new runner, I didn't believe that because all I wanted to do was run. But, I have to admit, like you, I'm finding that I'm enjoying my exercise more now that I've added in some other things. Nothing like a good boost of endorphins! (Plus, you know, cute Jared up there).

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    1. The endorphins are REAL, yo! (yes I'm still channeling Jesse from Breaking Bad, how long has that show been off the air?)

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  5. I love how much you're enjoying exercise!!! Finding something you love is so awesome! I've never understood people forcing themselves to do exercise they don't actually enjoy, because they'll never stick with it that way. I've known far too many people that think they "should" be runners, for example, and make themselves run even though they clearly don't enjoy it (or maybe they did once and don't now).

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    1. So with you on people forcing themselves to do an exercise that they don't like...why? This is the beauty of being an adult, you get a choice in the matter!

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  6. When I first started Weight Watchers, I remember reading a book that said you needed to change up your exercise, because your body got used to one kind of exercise and didn't get as much out of it. Its so good to hear you're having fun and changing your exercise a little. I do tend to be a stick-in-the-mud with my exercise. But lately, I have added back in a few arm exercises :)

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    1. I'm pretty sure all of the changes are why I'm enjoying this so much...and why I got so bored with going to Planet Fitness and just doing the 30 minute circuit over and over.

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  7. Dang, you are kicking butt with the strength and running! I love hearing it!

    Ha, I totally was reading the second paragraph and thinking "Chris Hemsworth" just posted that (then Jack Black (I think?) pranked it lol) then you mentioned him. Ha. His workouts are INTENSE! But fun to see!

    I think it's so so so important to make strength classes fun. Some people like going to the pain cave and being miserable, but not me, so that is not how I teach it! Please keep sharing what you do so I can get ideas, ha! Or let me know if you want some to share ;)

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    1. Oops, "Chris Hemsworth just posted that," not how I wrote it. I am not implying Chris Hemsworth belongs in air quotes.

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    2. Don't you wish you could edit comments? I sure do!

      Too funny that you knew exactly what I was talking about with the bear crawls and Chris...and Jack, that was more along the way I did them, LOL.

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  8. Yay for fun exercising! I'm glad you are enjoying it :D

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  9. Should we call you Miss Thor? LOL

    You're doing awesome with all your running and exercises.

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  10. That is great about enjoying exercising. I think I would if I had the time to do it.

    Having someone to run with and motivate you is the best. It really makes a difference. You are very lucky.

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