November 18, 2000

Kickin' some ass (my own)

Disclaimer - consult your physician before starting any exercise or diet regime. I didn't, but don't follow my example.

AcronymCo, conveniently enough, has a fitness center. It's quite well equipped, and prevents me from having to drop a ton of money on Balley's or LA Fitness or The Q - I used to be a member of LA Fitness. Let's just say I didn't get my money out of it.

My current routine seems to be working well for me. I work out on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tuesday is my full circuit workout (see below). Thursday is weights only. Saturday is a full circuit workout. Sunday is cardio only. I'd like to say I fill the non-workout days with walks with the dogs, bike rides, rollerblading around the neighborhood... but that hasn't happened quite yet. The best of intentions, with complete lack of gumption.

A full circuit workout involves high-intensity cardio interspersed with weight training - upper and lower body - stretching, and ab work. That way my heart rate stays up there throughout the entire workout, which usually takes me 45 minutes to an hour. I like it a lot, and it seems to be doing me a lot of good, but it completely kicks my ass. That's why I only do it two days, and do solo cardio or weight training on the others. So, if you're interested, here's what it involves:
  1. Warm Up - Low-intensity cardio (elliptical, stair climber, treadmill, stationary bike, etc.) for two minutes.
  2. High Intensity (HI) Cardio - on your machine of choice, increase speed and intensity as much as you can bear. One minute (decrease to 30 seconds or increase to 90 seconds depending on your ability).
  3. Tricep extensions - using free weights, 3 sets, 10-15 reps, each arm. Pause 30 seconds between each set.
  4. HI Cardio - one minute.
  5. Leg presses - using leg press machine, 3 sets, 10-15 reps. Pause 30 seconds between each set.
  6. HI Cardio - one minute.
  7. Flys - using free weights, 3 sets, 10-15 reps, simultaneously using both arms. Pause 30 seconds between each set... (assume this for each weight training cycle).
  8. HI Cardio - one minute.
  9. Stretch out - use stretch routine of choice. Hold each stretch for 10 seconds. Stretch out for at least three minutes.
  10. HI Cardio - one minute.
  11. Calf presses - using calf machine, 3 sets, 10-15 reps.
  12. HI Cardio - one minute.
  13. Bicep curls - using free weights, 3 sets, 10-15 reps, both arms simultaneously.
  14. HI Cardio - one minute.
  15. Leg Extensions - using leg extension machine, 3 sets, 10-15 reps.
  16. HI Cardio - one minute.
  17. Arm Rows - using free weights, 3 sets, 10-15 reps, each arm.
  18. HI Cardio - one minute.
  19. Leg Curls - using leg curl machine, 3 sets, 10-15 reps.
  20. HI Cardio - one minute.
  21. Abs - 10-15 reps, crunches to the front, to the left, to the right, and reverse crunches.
  22. Cool Down - Low-intensity cardio for three minutes.
Of course, mix it up with the type of lifting you'd like to incorporate, with whatever areas you're working on. I fid this mix works pretty much every muscle group of my body, which is what I'm going for - overall toning. Four upper body movements, four lower body movements, abs, and stretching. I also like doing cardio, upper body, cardio, lower body, cardio, upper body... it makes it less boring that way. I'm one of those folks who finds exercise to be incredibly dull. I don't jog. I hate being stuck on one machine for twenty minutes, plugging away. This way makes it entertaining - call me crazy.

So, I worked out this morning. Came home at about 10:30 and it's been non-stop movement ever since. I ate breakfast, paid bills, ran to the store, made lunch, threw together yet another crock-pot wonder, cleaned the kitchen, dug out the bathroom stuff out of the garage, organized it and put it away, started some laundry, swept and mopped the floors, cleaned out the fireplace, cleaned out the cat box (eeeew...), cleaned the bathroom, folded and put away all the clothes, and now I'm writing an entry. If only I had the motivation every day to be this productive. But it's short lived - I know myself. These spurts only last a day or two, then they're gone for a couple of weeks. So I try to take advantage of them when I can.

No, I won't come over and clean your house. Don't ask.

Hang on, I'll be right back. Calvin is singing in the living room...

I just had to pause and fill Calvin in on a little fact. It's "Wrapped up like a deuce!" Wrapped. Up. Like. A. Deuce. Sheesh.

Your Mission, should you choose to accept it...


Donate to your local food bank for the holidays. There are people out there who desperately need and deserve a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving meal!

Results From Yesterday's Mission


I had no beef with anyone yesterday, but a couple of gents in TGI Friday's did, with each other. Calvin and I went there for dinner after dropping Marie off skating. We were enjoying our meal when a ruckus started in the bar. Heads prairie dogged up over the booths everywhere. I'm convinced the only type of curiosity left to humanity is the morbid type. Fists were flying, women were screeching, noses were bloodied, lips were split. One woman had one guy around the neck, the other guy was being restrained by the bar tender (who did this Superman flying leap over the bar and into the fray). There was absolute silence in the place, then a renewed buzz of conversation erupted as the fight was controlled. "Did you see that? He roundhoused the guy!" "The little guy won, didya see?" "Sorry about the commotion folks..." "Sit down. How many times do I have to tell you?" "Aw, man, that was so cool!"

Feh. Whatever. Men can be such children sometimes.


I grabbed the design idea for the box thingy from Anna.

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Original content belongs to ME. Exceptions are noted.
©Laura Charon 2000.