Archive for the 'Challenge - gym' Category
May 27th, 2008 -- Posted in Challenge - gym |
So, I rode to the gym today again, as par my challenge. It’s getting a little easier each time, as I figure out the best ways to tackle each specific evil hill! However, I realised a few things today..
Firstly, riding home is harder! This is for a few reasons - first, of course, because I’ve already ridden there, done a workout, and I’m getting pretty worn out by this stage! Second, I’m riding against the traffic, which creates a hell of a wind that ends up pushing against me as I ride. Third, there’s more up than down on the way home!
The other concern I have is for my health… I realised today, as I puffed, how bad the air smelt/tasted. I think that riding beside the highway is not the best for my lungs and heart. After doing a bit of research, all of which strongly warned against exercising near heavy traffic, I may go back to driving at least half of the time after this week is out, in order to reduce my exposure to carbon monoxide.
May 26th, 2008 -- Posted in Challenge - gym |
Okay. So I rode to the gym twice last week - as I thought, the stipulation to ride actually discouraged me from going - mostly because of the extra time it takes. Not to mention I was sleeping in more than usual… But Nick has flown out today, and my cello lessons have moved to Saturdays at 11 - so I now have more free mornings.
So - to extend my challenge to another week!
Apart from that, I’m getting more in the habit of walking places rather than driving. Especially now I’ve realised how bloody close I live to a humongous shopping centre, and how nice a walk it actually is at this time of year.
It’s the old ‘doing something for my health and the health of the planet’ thing - and it’s true, it feels great!
May 22nd, 2008 -- Posted in Challenge - gym, The Rental, garden |
Well, I didn’t make it to the gym today, as I had my cello lessons… and a sleep in… so, anyways, I went for a run instead. Nick is going to the UK for five weeks on Monday, so I’m going to extend my challenge to next week - when I’m more likely to get to the gym a few more times rather than trying to store up five weeks worth of cuddles!
This weekend I’m off to the ‘Plant Fair in the Back Paddock’ at the Botanic Gardens - it looks awesome. Though, knowing my history, I’m likely to come home with waaaay more plants than I actually need. Though, when it comes to plants, the more the merrier!
I have to say, one particular plant I’m immensely enjoying at the moment is the zygocactus. For those of you who don’t have one… here’s one of mine in full bloom.
Most of the year it’s a rather boring succulent - but when it flowers, it does a proper job of it!
They come in all sorts of colours - pink, white, red, variegated, and apparently some yellow and orange, but I haven’t seen these. I’d love to collect them all. They are fantastically easy to propagate - just break off one of the stems and stick it into some good soil, and like any good succulent, it will eventually take root and form a new plant. I plan on having a big collection one day! Just a few years and a little patience.
I shall update you on what I succumb to on Saturday…
May 21st, 2008 -- Posted in Challenge - gym |
Today was my first day to the gym this week - and yes, I rode! I quite enjoyed it today - it’s a lovely bright autumn day with a gentle sun in the sky. The only downside was when my bike chain slipped off… three times! Very frustrating, but I got to the gym, had a good workout, and made it home less puffed than I was on Saturday. So basically, it felt good!
The only concession I may make to ‘bike culture’ is to buy a pair of cycling gloves, as my hands are red/raw after my ride - that, and I’d like to keep the sun off them. I’m already clothed neck to toe to wrist to keep the sun off me when I ride, but my hands are getting fried at the moment.
Some of you may think this concern a tad strange - but as a born and bred Queenslander who had my first skin cancer cut out of my lip at the age of 21 (by a very skilled plastic surgeon, thankfully) I am a tad paranoid about sun exposure! I’ve always got my gardening shirt/hat/sunglasses/long pants on when I’m out pottering around. I’ve tried to convince Nick to wear a hat, but as an Englishman who barely saw the sun until last year, he’s still enjoying getting tanned. Oh, well, perhaps I’ll get the fear of the sun into him one day 
May 17th, 2008 -- Posted in Challenge - gym |
And boy, was it evil. It took me 22 minutes to get there, and 26 minutes to get back. Now, there were some nasty hills on the way there, but even nastier ones on the way back! I spent about 25 minutes at the gym in the middle - so it was a good mornings work out. Mentally, I feel good for having done it, but it certainly took all the willpower I had to get to the top of some of those hills! Even though I’m reasonably fit, I certainly felt cranky at all the lycra-clad ’serious’ cyclists with their ultra-light racing bikes as they whizzed by me on my heavy old mountain bike!
However, I shall do my challenge! One week, riding to the gym every time I go.
May 16th, 2008 -- Posted in Challenge - gym |
For a few months now, I’ve been going to the gym four or five days per week. I’ve found that I really enjoy it, and I’d hazard to say that I has even become a habit. Why do I go to a gym? Well, it has many different cardio machines, a pool, more weights machines than I can ever possibly use, and classes. When I go there, I know that I’m there to exercise, and I put my whole self into it. Having a place to go to helps keep me motivated and focussed. I want to be an old lady who can still cart around bags of potting mix, not stuck inside because my body’s given up on me.
However, while I’m doing something great for my health, I feel guilty about my journeys to and from the gym. Why? Because I drive there. This morning I timed my drive - 8 minutes there, 6 minutes back. Now, that’s not a lot, but it still makes me feel a bit uncomfortable.
But today, a possible solution finally popped into my head. Now, I happen to live next to a freeway, and my gym is a few kilometres down the same freeway. And next to the freeway is a fantastic bike path. Last time I rode that way it almost killed me, as there are some heinous hills. However, I’ve decided that tomorrow morning I’m going to ride my bike to the gym and see how long it takes me, and how exhausted it makes me! So, this is the pre-challenge test… and if it’s viable, I’m going to ride my bike to the gym for a week. Wish me luck!
