Huh? Running, fun???? What??

Today I am confused. Or delusional. Or insane. Or all of the above. I'm not quite sure and I don't know if I want to figure it out.

Since I was laid off, I have been back to exercising regularly. I took Zumba because they offered it at the YMCA and it's something I was interested in. I also believe in changing up your workout because your body becomes used to the same thing.....anyway, I digress ( I do that a lot, I warned you a while ago).....

In my Zumba class I made a friend, Ashley. My sweet friend Heather suggested I make a friend at the Y and ironically, it was right after I posted this blog, Ashley suggested we start making dates for the Y & working out together. Coincidence??? Maybe & it's been great!! We work out hard & it's fun. Yes, I said fun. Wait until you read what else I have for you, ya might want to sit down.....

I've started back up with the Couch to 5K program because next September my lovely friend Leah and I are going to run the Tunnel to Towers 5K together. Knowing how I operate, I had to start this October for next September. Go ahead, roll your eyes, I have at myself, I should really be able to do the program in the 9 weeks, but I know me......

Anyway, Ashley has started it with me. It's been much easier to do it with her next to me. Plus, we make it a point to meet up. We plug our headphones in to my musical selection, I have loaned her my other iPod, and we set the treadmills & go. Trust me it isn't easy, I'm huffing & puffing & sweating. My feel my ass jiggling, EVERYTHING jiggling, but I'm doing it & I'm having fun & loving it!!!

That prior paragraph is the lead in to my point. Yes, I have been encouraging you all to try something new since I've been having such a good time at Zumba. Well, while it was new, I didn't feel uncomfortable doing it. This whole wunning/wogging/jogging/running thing is very new to me. I never thought I would ever wanted to run. In fact, I think I swore I would NEVER run. Well guess what? I'm doing it. Please don't think it is easy for me because it isn't. It's very hard. My bum cheeks hurt, from running. My abs are sore, from running. Sure, I tried the C25K before & didn't successfully do it, but I'm trying again. I'm pretty sure that means I'm not truly a quitter. Maybe just a delayer....hahahahaha.......

My point is I'm doing something outside of my comfort zone. It's hard & I struggle, but I'm doing it. I think my confidence is building, because I am doing something that is a little harder for me. It helps to have a friend with me. Grab a buddy, heck, if you want to join Ashley & I you can, or if you want to do something else & invite me, call me up!! I feel so good afterwards, after any exercise. I wish I could bottle it & share the feeling, it's divine. I have so much energy throughout the day. Oddly, all the things you hear or read about exercise are true!!!

I also have something else that is making me very happy. Back in my old life, my home world & my NJ world were always separate. The ex didn't know anyone from home. No one from home knew the ex. Now, Jay has met several of my childhood friends & it's starting to seem as though some of my childhood friends are going to be meeting my NJ friends. I'm going to be seeing my friend Leah in a few months, my friend Sunny lives close to me.....the fact that my "worlds" are starting to be just one, makes me happy to tears.

Sure, I have some stress & things on my mind, but in reality, life is pretty great for me & I have a lot to be thankful for. Lungs that feel great, legs to carry my, a heart that beats, people who love me, people I love, Hailey, the boy, Jay........Me.

This weekend is going to be nice. As I mentioned before, I'm doing some hiking tomorrow. Get out, do something, anything. Just enjoy & live life!!!

Elizabeth

Zumba - Week #8

Today Zumba was tough this week. My legs are very fatigued. I've done 2 days of the Couch 2 5K program & I did it yesterday. I think I need to get into a better sleep pattern. Probably a better eating pattern too.

This was after lifting some pretty heavy weights on Monday. I'm going hard. Sticking to an exercise regimen. Now just to get the eating part right...... Being on a very tight budget makes it difficult lately. I don't have the extra cash for the fresh foods, or meats for that matter. Right now I have to get what I can afford which sort of defeats the purpose of exercising so much. But anyway....

As usual, Zumba rocked. It really is so much fun. We do have an awesomely good time!! I am so happy I took the class. I completed my Financial Aid application for the YMCA & have to run back to drop it off. I am still encouraging you all to try something new & to please share it!!! You never know who YOU might inspire!!!!

Zumbaliciously yours,

Elizabeth

Which Way to the Beach?

That phrase makes me laugh. Which Way to the Beach? Jay says it to me (he changes his voice & everything) & does the pose. I don't have a picture of Jay doing the pose, but I should get one. Anyway, here is a picture for your viewing pleasure:

Ok, off my digression....

I've made a friend from Zumba. Her name is Ashley & we've been meeting & working out together. It's been nice just to have someone there. She started doing the Couch to 5K (C25K) program with me yesterday. Ironically, it made it much easier to do. Well, today our asses were sore. Yeah, from jogging. I think the total jog time was about 7 minutes too. Can't figure it out & who cares, we know we are working our asses off....literally. Anyway, I suggested that we go hard with the weights today since we started off great yesterday. I told Ashley her ass will call me to thank me. I flexed my arm, doing my best "which way to the beach?" impression & we laughed & we worked it. I will be walking like Frankestein later, that you can count on.

Anyway, I've started the C25K again because I have a goal. It's kind of far off, but it gives me time to keep up with the program. I think, since Ashley is doing it with me, I won't be stopping, which is kind of refreshing. My "Big" goal is to do the Tunnel to Towers 5K with my friend Leah from high school. She has two blogs, both worthy of being read too. Storybook Ranch and Life by Me. Please give them a peek!! Well, Leah is coming to do the run with me. You can read all about Stephen Siller if you click on his name. This year will be the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Centers and what a better way to give tribute than to participate in the 5K. Consider this an invitation to join Leah & I that day.

So that is a longer term goal. Ashely & I talked about finding some local 5K's to do in the spring, after we've been jogging together for some time. I'm actually looking forward to see how far & well things progress for me.

I know I'm always saying to try something new. This weekend coming up, it's going to be nice. By nice I mean high 50's to low 60's & sunny. Jay & I are going to do a little hiking. We are going to check out Buttermilk Falls & possibly the Dingmans Falls again. There is one difference. Each of the waterfalls has staircases that climb to the top. I swore I'd never climb to the top. Ever. I do believe I actually suggested to Jay we climb up both staircases. I don't know how many steps are involved, but as you all know, I will report back to you!!! So that's my trying something new. Climbing stairs. For fun. Yeah.

So tell me about the new things you're doing, different stuff you're trying. Hearing stuff like that helps to keep me motivated. Apparently I've inspired 2, yes 2!!! people to try new things. What's the worst thing that could happen? You don't like it? I'd bet you'd be surprised & you might actually enjoy yourself just a little.

Thanks for reading!!!

Elizabeth

Zumba - Week #7

"Boom Boom Shake Shake & Drop, that's what your momma said"

I have that lyric running through my head from Zumba today. We do shake shake & drop too.

Have I mentioned my calf muscles since I started Zumba? No, I didn't think so. I'd like to dedicate today's Zumba blog to them.

My calves are starting to get some definition when I flex the muscles. That is from 1 day a week, during a 45 minute class. We spend a lot of time jogging in place, doing Latin rhythms/steps, just a lot of movement, on our toes. I think my point here is if you think by doing 1 class a week, it won't be worth it, you are wrong. If that's all you're capable of then you should do it. Today I am very happy I took Zumba for a lot of reasons. I did something outside my comfort zone and I've made some new friends.

I took the advice given to me by my friend Leah last week & I spoke with the YMCA about financial aid. I picked up an application and will be filling it out to see if I qualify. Even if my monthly membership is covered, that's a big plus. I'm going to ask if they will cover at least one of the classes that are for a fee for me, so I can continue Zumba & take hip hop in January.

I've also been thinking about continuing Zumba for lots of another reason. I love it so much, I'm considering keeping up the whole exercise work, weight loss blah blah blah & becoming a Zumba instructor. Jake makes it so much fun, we really do have a good time. I like that feeling, a lot & I want other people to have that too.

Last week is the last week for my session of Zumba. The next session doesn't start until November. Hopefully, I can get the aid, otherwise, I have to find the extra cash to take the class!!

Thanks for reading!!

Elizabeth

The Human Machine

I. Am. A. Machine. Not such a finely tuned one, but I'm getting there. Hey, aren't we all works in progress?

I write this with a belly full of plain non fat Greek yogurt, sweetened with some honey & some chopped walnuts for texture. I forget how much I like that. Being on such a limited budget makes it tough. I just can't go buy fresh fruit & vegetables when I'm out. I don't have any cash to spare. I'm sad to say I won't be able to take Zumba during the next session at the Y, it's just not in my budget. Anyway....

Yes, I am a machine. I remembered that today, with great pleasure. I've been lifting weights regularly for 2 weeks. Yeah, I know, it hasn't been that long, but that's the most it's happened in probably almost 2 years and that is a really good thing. It's funny how quickly the body responds in a positive way to exercise, any form of it. In 2 weeks, I've increased the amount of weight I have been lifting during particular exercises. I'm no where near what it once was, but I will get there. It might sound weird, but I pay attention to my muscles and how they work when I lift weights. The feeling of the stretch you get, the burning, the shaking, I really love all of it. My shoulder has been bothering me for a few weeks. I don't know if I slept funny, moved funny or worse but as I continue to lift weights, it feels better and better. Funny, huh?

After I did my weights, I then did 45 minutes of cardio on the cross trainer. I don't work as hard on the cross trainer on a weight day because my legs would burn out too quick. I do maintain a moderate pace & I noticed today that with my heart rate at 135, I was breathing through my nose. That's right, my lungs & body are performing better than they have been so at the pace I keep, I didn't need to huff & puff. Awesome, but I need to step up my work. Makes me happy. When I got home, I did some planks & some ab work with my awesome weighted bars that Jay made me. So I had a good 2 hour workout today.

Today, I feel good. My whole workout today was a good reminder of what I am capable of & who I am. I am feeling confident & a little sexy. Lately, I've been feeling down-in-the-dumps & dejected. So today is nice.

Happy Monday Everyone, enjoy your day!!!

Elizabeth

Zumba - Week #6

I'm gonna need someone to come help me change my shirt. Oh, and my pants too. Jake flipped it up on us today, which I will get to.

I have been lifting weight again, well, I've done it twice in the last week, which a lot more than it's been for a while. I've been meeting my friend at 7:00am & we work out together. It's been great. Well, Monday, I lifted weights & I did a nice full body train, then I did 45 minutes of cardio on the cross trainer. As the day wore on.....I could feel it.....I could feel my workout....

I used the adductor machine. It's a machine where your legs are spread.....well, let me just get you a picture. Click here to see the machine. You can change the amount of weight you do, I think I had 90 pounds on there. It works your inner thighs & your groin muscles.

Then, after that I went & did the leg press, two sets. I also did 90 pounds there. Then I went & did my cardio, the cross trainer, where I raise the incline on the machine so it works your butt more. 45 minutes. Fabulous.

By the end of the night, I was groaning because standing up, sitting down, changing seated positions, not sitting with my legs spread......all painful. You see, the muscles on the inner thighs, that attach your thighs to your bagina, that's where the pain is. The stairs were/still are painful. Yesterday it was worse. It's bad today, too. Usually the worst pain is not the day after you work out, it's 2 days after. That means I had to do Zumba today, 2 days after I tortured myself.

Jake changed up Zumba. He changed some of the moves in a couple of the songs. He also added weights in. Yes, I said weights. I picked 5lb weights thinking they'd be light enough. Yeah, right. Try swinging those suckers around at a fast tempo. My arms were BURNING!!! Then we added some different leg moves, think squats & my bagina muscles started burning EVEN MORE BECAUSE THEY WERE ALREADY ON FIRE!!!!!! Hence the reasons why I will be needing help dressing & undressing!!

I do have to say, Jake makes the class so much fun. We really do have a good time, so while everything is burning we are all smiling & laughing & having fun. What a frickin' gimmick, I tell ya!!!

Jake is teaching Hip Hop in January at the Y. I'm really excited for that. I can't wait to see what it's like. I think it's going to be so much fun! If I have a job by then, I'm hoping they offer the class in the evening so I can still take it.

I also have some info to share. Dance Expressions in Hamburg, which is right in front of where I live is offering Zumba.......for $3 a class!!!! Click here for the info. I plan to take some of these classes. If anyone is interested in going too, please let me know, it will be fun to do it together!!!!

Thanks for reading!!!

Elizabeth

Zumba - Week #5

I still love Zumba. A lot. More than you could ever know. It makes me happy. It's such a fun class. I smile throughout the whole thing.

Last week I asked for you all to try something new. I'm happy to report that I apparently inspired someone to try something new. My friend Leah. We go way back, back to high school. Leah has her own blogs she writes. I haven't shared them with you because I didn't ask her permission first. Hopefully she will let me share them as I think they are pretty great!! Anyway, here is Leah's comment from the last Zumba blog:

"Me! I've tried something new thanks to you. Zumba isn't in my budget at the moment, so we've improvised and been trying out some of the dance/exercise shows on the exercise channel and have been having so much fun. The kids actually bug me to do them & we usually end up dancing around for over an hour. I totally don't even realize that I'm working out, it's so fun :) Thanks for the inspiration!"

I think it's just wonderful that Leah & her kids dance around & check out shows on TV. I know Leah will agree with me that any movement is good for you!!! What's great is she and her kids do it together, what a great way to spend time & get a little workout in without realizing it!!! You go girl!!!!

I'm also going to share with you a couple of videos, for the songs, that we dance to in Zumba.

The first song is a Celia Cruz song - La Negra Tiene Tumbao. I have lots of Celia Cruz on my iPod for some time. I like Latin rhythms in general. Yes, we gyrate, booty pop & shake our hips, throughout the entire class. Anyway, we move & shake it to this:




Another song we dance to is Daddy Yankee - Impacto ft Fergie. Again, another song I had on my iPod already. What can I say, I have an ear for good beats!!!




The last song I will be offering you today is by Beenie Man. I have a lot of Beenie Man on my iPod but not this particular song, yet. I'm going to do my best to describe the "movement" that we do throughout this song. As you listen to the song, you hear "gimme gimme gimme" over & over again. During these parts we do this quick jogging, on our toes to the rhythm., I'm sure you've seen football players do it. We move forward for 8 counts, then back, then left, then right. At the end, we do it in place putting our arms up, then down. Also, this song doesn't come on until the near end of the class. So imagine, jumping, shaking, popping, gyrating for about 35 minutes before doing this. Fun Stuff!!!!



I hope you enjoy those & they inspire you to move. I also have an offer for you. If any of you would like these songs, or just need some new music to get you inspired, I will be more than happy to send you a mix CD. I'd just need your address, which you can message me privately at grazingthroughlife@gmail.com.

Enjoy!!!

Elizabeth

Zumba - Week #4

Sorry this post is a little late. I've had a busy few days....job interviews!!!

Before I get into my Zumba post, I need to vent off a bit.

Yes, Zumba is a lot of fun!! We have a good time dancing around & chit chatting. This is not license to sing during the class. Singing off key, tone deaf high pitched to the music is just not acceptable. It's distracting. YOU distract those of us trying or best to keep up because all we can hear is YOU. Please keep all of your singing in your car or shower & preferably when you're alone, by the sound of it.

Also, if you're going to take a fast paced exercise class please act like you want to be there, as in, try moving. Period. Why would you take a class if you are barely going to move? We know who you are too. The whole point in taking an exercise class IS TO MOVE, so MOVE!!

Ok, on to Zumba. This week I work different pants. They were much more loose than normal. I actually found it difficult to move in them. No wonder when you see the Zumba commercials there aren't a lot of free flowing clothes. It's back to the yoga pants I have. Also, I wore different sneakers this week. I've been wearing my new sneakers with a thicker sole. I wore older, more broken in sneakers, but the sole isn't nearly as thick. I had a much easier time bending & moving my feet. I don't know why, it was just easier.

Jake changed class up some this week. He added in a new song. Usually there was some slower stuff, not this week. Fast paced right to the end. I still think it's fun.

I really hope that someone becomes inspired to try something new. Get out there & move!! It's good for you & you will feel better for it..... your feeling better might not be until a couple of days after, but you will feel better ;)

If you try something new, please share!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Elizabeth