Saturday, May 31, 2008

Getting Back Into Shape

Wow! Just after a week, I can already say that my legs are a good 50% stronger than last week. I have ridden 4 times in the past 8 days. It’s amazing how quickly the human body develops. Then again, I come from sturdy stock. I’m the kind of girl that cannot lift weights because my biceps would erupt and split my shirt. Then I would look like Mr. Heat Stroke instead of Mrs. Heat Stroke. My husband thinks this is great (so long as I never, EVER, ever lift weights) because he envisions our future son. Said son is sure to have raging muscles, thanks to me. Boy, isn’t it great to be a woman? Sarcasm off now.

I do want to get back into shape. I am a yo-yo dieter. I can easily drop 30 pounds, but on the same token, I easily gain back those 30 pounds. Seeing as how I have gained again, it is time to lose it. This is yet another reason that I need to motivate myself to ride. It really helps my cardiovascular, which is sorely out of shape at the moment. My office recently relocated to the third floor and you can hear me coming a mile away. I start out trying to quick walk the steps and by the second floor, I get much slower. The third floor comes and I’m dragging myself up. At the top, I’m breathing so hard that I am convinced I resemble a beached whale screaming in his dying agony. Do whales even make a noise when they are beached? If so, that’s what I sound like.

My goal is to start doing crunches every other day. The trick is to start slowly. Never over tax your body. It can actually have the opposite effect if you over due your workouts. I usually start with 10-15 crunches and after my body starts thinking that’s easy, I increase by 10 crunches. If you can brave the pain, crunches really can help strengthen your core for when you’re in the saddle. Squats REALLY burn and I hate them beyond all measure of life, but they also truly help for getting those legs of steel that come in handy when your horse decides to spook at plastic bags.


See these girls? What a fine example. Don't we all want to look like one of them? Look at their balance. Amazing! Personally, I'd like to see them on a bucking bronc. *Evil laugh* Sorry, that just slipped out.

Back on topic, if you happen to come across this post, do yourself a favor and try adding in a few crunches and squats here and there. Even if you HATE working out, just add a few in a day (nothing too serious). Just doing 5 and 5 a day will make a difference. You might decide you like that difference and start adding more into your daily life. Here’s to HATING to workout!

9 comments:

cdncowgirl said...

OMG is that the stupid iGallop thing those girls are on? Saw it on TV and LMAO.
I too am a "too out of shape for this" rider.
Tried to decide between a weight loss blog or a horse blog... the ponies won (of course! lol) Check it out if you have time.

Tralee said...

I love your blog! I am also an out of shape rider! I am just beginning to ride again after 8 years off! Waiting for my horse to get into town is agonizing! Thanks for posting your progress, I'm hoping I will have some of my own!

Heat Stroke in FL said...

CDN - I left a comment on your blog.

Tralee - that is great news! Did you buy a horse online? Is she being shipped in? You will have to start a blog when he gets there :-D

Laura said...

Hi - another out of shape rider here! lol

I just started blogging again a couple of weeks ago.

Here is to getting into shape and lots of riding! :-)

Gingey said...

Me four! I'm trying to sort of blog my process, but I tend to get distracted quite easily. Amazing what getting a green horse does to your fitness level.

verylargecolt said...

I should be doing crunches! I am awful. I HATE working out. I just starve for a few weeks if I know I need to look good for something. It's so much easier to not eat than it is to find time to work out. I am terrible.

Heat Stroke in FL said...

VLC, I would love to not eat, but I am a foodaholic. I stuff my face like there is no tomorrow, haha!

Crunches really help me a lot. I might still be chunky, but crunches tone me up and I look SO much better.

Glad to see so many new people :-D Sorry for the lack of updates. HM has a nasty bruise and I have not ridden in a week. I will update tomorrow.

dp said...

Yo-yo dieter? Can I recommend the book "Then 10 Habits of Naturally Slim People"? I used to yo-yo between 120 and 180 lbs. I have been 140 (size 10, and I'm OK with that) now for years thanks to this book. Can't imagine going back to the old routine. Good luck with the fitness and the riding!

foodforfounder.blogspot.com

Andrea said...

we have those iGallop things at the gym. i SOOO want to try it but know i will look like a tool.