Today’s bootcamp was tabata central. We ran from the steps of the Y about 1/2 mile to a grassy area where we quickly stretched then got right to it. Instead of doing 8 reps of the same exercise, we would incorporate 2 exercises in each tabata, alternating the moves until 4 minutes were complete (reminder: tabatas are 20 sec work, 10 sec rest, repeated 8 times)

• squats/180 degree jump squats
• alternating front lunge/alternating side lunge
• one legged hops (over lines in the parking lot)
• spiderman planks/ plank ups
• mountain climbers/quick feet
• sit ups/reverse crunches

We stretched, then jogged back to the Y. It was a great workout because the work periods spike your heart rate and the rest times allow you to take one (or two) breaths before going back at it.

I had a few other tabatas planned, but we ran out of time. Shucks. I intended on completing them myself, but the clouds came, and rained on my parade. Literally.

Tomorrow’s workout will consist of more prolonged cardio bursts. It is super duper important to continually change up your workouts so that it keeps your muscles guessing. The last thing you want is for them to get comfortable with your exercises, otherwise you’re doing all those lunges for nothing (assuming, of course, that lunges would be all that you’re doing). Muscle Confusion!

As I am typing this, I just received one of those FWD emails from my mom and I thought it was cute to include in this post. Here it is:

WOMAN’S WEEK AT THE GYM

Dear Diary,

For my Valentine’s this year, my Sons purchased a week of personal training at the local health club.

Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobicsinstructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.

Friends seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

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MONDAY:

Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Christowaiting for me. He is something of a Greek god– with blond hair, dancing eyes, and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!

Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines… I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!

Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!

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TUESDAY:

I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Christo made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. His rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT! It’s a whole new life for me.

_______________________________

WEDNESDAY:

The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn’t try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.

Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members.. His voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.

My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put me on the stair monster. Why would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Christo told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other crap too.

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THURSDAY:

Butt hole was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn’t help being a half an hour late– it took me that long to tie my shoes. He took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. He sent some skinny witch to find me. Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine– which I sank.

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FRIDAY:

I hate that jerk Christo more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic, little aerobics instructor. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it.

Christo wanted me to work on my triceps. I don’t have any triceps! And if you don’t want dents in the floor, don’t hand me the darn barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutritionteacher. Why couldn’t it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

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SATURDAY:

Satan left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing his voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

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SUNDAY:

I’m having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my SONS will choose a gift for me that is fun– like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!! 

So, that, my friends, is what I will leave you with. Keep at it at the gym, or wherever you get your groove on. Exercise is so good!

This post is brought to you by the awesome s’mores parfait I just ate. (Chocolate pudding- made with almond milk, graham cracker crumbs, and fluff). As soon as I hit Publish, I will be bounding down the hall-scaring Tyler and the dog- and jumping up and down/doing ab work on the stability ball until I pass out.