When you're feeling good, you want to shop
I’ve completed a week’s worth of ‘brisk’ walking, just under 2kms and 12 minutes.
Normally, I would think of a million excuses, but lately, in this pandemic, when it seems that you have all the time in the world, you get a sense that it’s a lie. You do it now, or it’s all lost, simple as that. Sometimes I feel great after and sometimes, it’s the same. But I guess, that’s what you call an investment; the cumulative rewards are in the end. Or so you hope.
But then, what else is there to do? It’s definitely more positive that agonising over Christmas; that you’re aching to watch Dune at the movies; that a restaurant meal would be nice; or go on a bus ride at 4pm; or sauntering into the supermarket. But it’s not your job to be angry at the bigger picture of why you can’t do these things. Leave that to the stupid politicians (FUCK YOU Judith Collins, FUCK YOU David Seymour) because that’s what they’re paid for.
Your job is you, and it’s not an easy one.
But thank God for small victories- studies have shown that exercise no matter how small, makes a difference- and I thought, hmmm, maybe I will reward myself.
But no I didn’t- this is just online window shopping- but who knows? You’re investing in yourself remember and that shouldn’t be a wasted purchase.
Monday: 62nd (?) day in Covid-19 lockdown
I hope it doesn't sound genuine, but I have to say- and this is important that I say this- that I’m fortunate. So I feel less guilty (not that I’m doing anything wrong to be guilty about) that I’m spending it taking care of myself no matter how selfish and self-centred that sounds. What use would I be too anyone if I was sick (all it takes is a KFC meal two days in a row) and depressed? I could be sick but depressed, I don’t think so. I think I’m wired for enthusiasm and good cheer 24/7.
I’m not suddenly like The Rock lol- I don’t even want to be that huge, gross (no offence to The Rock). But my body has stabilised. I don’t get the aches and pains on the 2nd day after a work-out, which sort of sabotaged whatever gains I’ve made because it would make me stop, then resume a couple of days later.
Because of the extended lockdown, I was able to weather the pain and lethargy of those days and plowed on, increasing the intensity of my work-outs and the frequency to the point where I do two rest days in seven days- not going to be stupid and not rest.
I’ve bought some weights, but knowing how quickly the body gets bored by the same work-outs, I’ve thrown in a huge variety of work-outs- decreasing push-ups; yoga and dumbbell circuits. I’m still very much house-bound by choice, and really haven’t done much cardio outdoors. Haven’t really been doing targeted ab-work, but…it’s definitely been 201% better than the last time. The whole point is NOT being comfortable- comfort is complacency .
My goal is that when it’s finally safe to go out there, I can transition easily to going to a gym and getting professional advice- yeah, I can afford personal trainers now! (you pay a little bit to eliminate the guesswork that comes from figuring out things by yourself).
Currently obsessed with..
I feel awfully unfit
Run. For your life
I've never been fat. I've maintained my weight and my waist-line for the last 20 years. I'm fit and toned and I wouldn't be embarrassed at all if, for some weird reason, I would need to take my shirt off in public (!!!???).
But my actual fitness level is atrociously bad. My blood pressure remains quite high in spite of medication, breathing apps, goddamned pitchers of hibiscus tea and garlic tablets. Sure, I'm genetically predisposed to be hypertensive, but that's not an excuse to try and look for a solution.
I think you have White Coat syndrome said my cover GP the other week. So I had to stay in his office for about 20 minutes, lying on my back to relax while he tried to get another reading. It did go down quite significantly, but inwardly I seethed; I always did significantly well on things that I set out to do and I was losing this badly in spite of what I thought were my best efforts.
So how often does one need to exercise in a given week? Apparently, not enough; walking to and from work from the train station/bus stop, 100 push-ups every other day, the occasional gym.
So I guess I need to step it up.
“The American College of Sports Medicine has two basic recommendations for cardio exercise. The first suggests 30 minutes of moderate cardio five times per week, and the second recommends 20 minutes of intense cardio three times per week. Each is adequate for general health and weight maintenance.”
I wish I lived near a better gym but lately, I've learned to stop complaining and to pay attention to the treadmill.
Tools to make the run better; get an Apple Watch!
Tools to motivate; get really great cushioning like Nike Zoom All Out Low
Find the perfect ideal place to run; New Zealand as it turns out, is that place.
A few new things I've discovered about myself today
I've started running again, by accident. It was a weekend when everything fell into place; the weather was fine, I finished the laundry, blogged a few things. And I felt fine. So I put on my running shoes, stepped out of the house and did about 3.5kms the first time- the first two kilometres being alternating bursts of brisk walking and sprints. The second day, was about the same distance and while I dropped my pace, I ran all the way. I guess I was distracted by the houses as I ran past wondering who lived in them. Day or night, you never really see the people who lived inside.
The last time I actually ran was sophomore year at university. I took running as a physical education class and we ran around the track in Diliman for the whole semester. For our finals, we went over to the Ateneo and ran around the campus. I've always been realistic when it comes to my physicality and I guess I passed that class even if I can't remember what my final grade was, or what I learned from it. When you're 17, youth affords an invincibility, an imperviousness that unfortunately also applies to life lessons.
So when I got an email for a muscle balance assessment from a local physio I thought, it's never too late to know- and this is what I found out:
1. My right foot is nearly half an inch shorter than my left (8 versus 7.6)
2. I have weak glutes! (aaaarrgggggghhh)
3. Running or even walking, my feet tend to collapse quickly on their arches which explains the quick shin pain and tightness of my outer thighs.
4. I tend to favour my right foot even while standing up
5. My left foot is over-pronated.
Coming back for corrective exercises..