Swing it

Flatmate and I made another round in the forest today, and guess who won doing the plank? Yes, I am proud to say I did. However, there is no way in hell I can do what he did, i.e. swing myself up using just arm strength.

So I guess we'll call it a tie. Or win-win.

Fit as a man

Today I feel really good. Started out in the morning doing a vitaparcours round together with my flatmate. He's around 20 years younger than me, a non-smoker, and I kept up with him! Ok, we didn't exactly exhaust ourselves, but still, we were jogging at a steady pace and did all the stations.

I bet he's gonna feel it tomorrow :).

In the forest

I was out doing the vitaparcours round this morning at 7.30. I woke up early because it's so friggin hot still, with all of July being between 30-40°C, the heat sits in the walls of the house.

I wasn't completely alone, there were a few dog people and another few runners out there. But I noticed one thing, they all seem to have professional gear, like clothing bought in expensive shops just for sports.

I run in a pair of swimshorts for men, that I bought in South Africa many years ago (why mens shorts? 'cause I couldn't find any for women), socks and a top from H&M and shoes for 20 francs.

Guess what I'm saying is, sports doesn't have to cost a lot, and that I'm now only 1.9 kg's away from my new goal weight. Proud!

30K+ steps

You know what happens when you exercise six days out of seven? You gain weight. At least I have done. It is super irritating. But I won't be defeated.

Today I was dogsitting again, doggie slept overnight and it went fine. Everybody slept in their normal places, and it was peace in our time.

This morning dog and I went vitaparcours'ing for an hour of so (saw two Bambis today!). Then in the beautiful early afternoon we went for a leisurely walk in the sun for another hour. After that the owner were supposed to pick us up, but I decided that we'd walk to his place instead. One more hour walking.

Then of course I had the riding lesson this evening. Got my new fav! The owner was there and had responded to my plead on email ("here's my new fav, would appreciate if I could ride him again", with a pic attached). She smiled when she saw me, and said "you got your fav". Hurray!

And it went fine. I must say that I feel that I'm making progress, even if I'm far from being good. I mean, the teacher sometimes hops on one of our horses to show us how to do certain movements, and it all looks like a breeze, like there is nothing to it, whereas when we try the same thing it is super difficult.

But it was funny today while leg-yielding when she repeated "Annika, look in the corner" and I almost shouted "BUT I AM" and I was, but what she meant was that the whole head had to be directed there, not only my eyes. Why didn't she say so in the first place? Has to do with showing the horse the direction by your own weight and movement I guess.

So according to my pedometer I have walked 30,529 steps today, translating into almost 21 km's and burning of 1,123 calories. I'll be damned if I haven't lost anything tomorrow morning!

Singing in the rain

It is funny this with sport. I used to like it in my youth, or more like thinking it was part of my life, without realizing it was healthy and good for me.

Nowadays I wake up, looking at the weather, and thinking I wanna get out there, sweat a bit, and feel better afterwards. And not only that, I actually enjoy being out in the forest, breathing fresh air, look at the view of Zürich and move my now healthier body.

But ok, today when I came back from the vitaparcours round, where I skipped a few stations 'cause of pouring rain (I mean, who wants to lay down on a wet wooden beam to do the plank?), I decided to jog the 6-min round before I headed home. It was humbling. I was kinda jogging/powerwalking but when I for the third time saw the same guy running in the opposite direction, I realized I have a long way to go.

Mind you, he was probably half my age and it's not like I'm competing. And no, I wasn't singing.

Nordic walking

I come from the far north, but never ever will you see me walking with sticks, so called "Nordic walking". Since I started to be more active I have noticed that this particular way of movement is very popular here in Switzerland.

I go powerwalking/jogging and all of a sudden in the middle of the forest I hear "click-click-click-click". Extremely disturbing, plus it looks ridiculous.

Mind you, they may think the same about me 'cause I bring my (light) weights, walking and flexing my arms (bingowings goodbye) up and down while at it.

Still, walking with sticks ain't my thing. But the person who marketed a ski pole to be used for something as silly should get a medal. Clever, to invent something totally unnecessary and get rich because of it. Thumbs up.

So close

Today I thought I had it. I did the jog/powerwalk/run in 18 minutes. 17 minutes is the goal for getting to the "outstanding" time. Pissed me off. But to be perfectly honest, I have more in me, and can push harder. I just wanna be able to do it once, then I can tick the box and put it behind me.

But seriously, it ain't bad for a person my age who smokes like a chimney and drinks like a fish.

Above average

I was around 21 minutes around the vitaparcours without the stations today. Average is 22, but I have to check the seconds next time. Plus today I did "run" a 6 minute-round before I started.

But that ain't bad for somebody with my previous lifestyle. I am pretty proud of myself!

I'm a libra

I can hardly believe it myself, but two days in a row I've been out for an hour doing the vitaparcours run. Well, run is stretching it, 'cause I mostly powerwalk but I do all the stations but one.

Apart from the station with beams which you're supposed to heave yourself up from, I can do all of the others. And even the walking backwards balancing on a wooden beam is getting easier.

It made me think of the time when I was out fishing at Tenerife, decades ago. It was a pretty high sea, and I was the only one having lunch together with the crew. The rest were up on deck emptying their stomachs. So my balance should be pretty good. It's just I haven't used it in a while.

I'm not at the stage of being a training maniac, but I must admit I enjoy it. Especially afterwards :).

8,000 steps

I knew it! 50 minutes riding lesson gives around 8,000 steps on that pedometer I bought, even if my friend claims that the horse does all the work. So not true.

Yesterday I did around 6K steps, it was a quiet day and I didn't move around that much. Today I'm up to 18K until now, which will be the end result, since I realized that putting the thingie in my underpants ain't the best idea. It falls on the floor, or one time it was a close call with the toilet.

I don't aim to use it every day, but to see how much each sport gives in terms of steps.

Anyway, had a new horse today which was a darling. She was lovely, putting her head on my shoulder, wanting to be caressed and being very obedient when it came to prepare her for the lesson.

However, good thing they have stable help, since I'm a bit of a technical idiot sometimes, and couldn't figure out which way the cover went. You know, after you've taken the saddle and everything else off, you cover them up to prevent them from being cold.

So yes, I have a new second fav. A white Andalusian beauty of "normal" size.

Sporty morning

So today I tried the vitaparcours for the first time. It was fab weather, the sun was shining and the temperature was just right for exercise. No excuse.

It took me exactly one hour from leaving my house until I was back. That included the powerwalk to and from, the actual round, also powerwalking, with fifteen stations (I did fourteen) with various movements. The most difficult was to balance backwards on a beam, especially at the turns. Funny that, since the beam was broad enough to encompass my foot.

One time I wanna try to jog the round without the stations. There is a sign at the end, saying that in my age an outstanding time would be 17 minutes, 19 would be good and 22 is the average. I wanna see where I'm at. The problem is I do not have a watch.

Thinking of buying one of those thingies which measure the number of steps, the time and maybe the pulse or something else. Didn't find anything on the net, but am sure a sports shop would have one.

PS. 2.7 kg's away from my goal as of this morning. However, not sure the paella we plan to make later will help :).

Zumba - not for beginners

So today I went zumbaing all the way. I had asked the teacher beforehand to go easy on me, since I don't feel superfit.

To my delight we were only five students, and three of them were my age or older. All women. The fourth one was one of these you really should hate. Young, perfect body, did everything exactly like the teacher, and in general a person that would be on my hate list. Until I spoke to her, and complimented her for the moves. Then it turned out she was very nice too (how's that possible, there should be a law against it!), and told me she's done zumba once a week for three years and that it's all about practise. Phew! That made me feel better.

'Cause the zumba itself was very difficult. Ok, the teacher told us beforehand that there are no rules, and he's not gonna correct any of us. It's about having fun and move at the same time. Suits me.

It was loud music (the only one I recognized was Take on me with Aha, tells you how old I am!), a fast beat and swift movements in a gym hall with mirrors. So you looked at the teacher, tried to mimic his movements and by the time you had, he was changing to something else. It felt like I was always a bit behind.

But it was actually fun, and it's hard to not be happy with an energetic teacher who smiles and even looking around at the others, I saw them smiling too.

In the end it slowed down a bit and we stretched, and the teacher told two of us, the beginners, that it actually hadn't been a beginners lesson, it was a full on one.

So after one hour I walked out of there, tomato-red in the face but with a smile on my lips. Yes, I'll definitely do this again!

Zumba

A long time ago I had a conversation with a friend, and we decided to try out a zumba lesson together. For reasons unknown that didn't happen, but a couple of months ago I got a flyer in my mailbox about a free try-out in my hood.

So on Wednesday I'm off. And I especially liked the swift answer I got. I registered and within 5 minutes I had an answer, addressing me with my first name and welcoming me on Wednesday.

Oh jeez, what have I gotten myself into?

I'm faster than google

Today, through a combination of greed and bad conscience, I walked all the way to a friends place. Greed, 'cause it pains me to pay for a ticket, and bad conscience 'cause I haven't done any sports since being sick last week. Also a bit of laziness I guess, like "I'm sick, I cannot push myself".

Anyway, google maps told me it would take 44 minutes, and I made in 41. And I was walking fast! Door to door it was like 56 minutes. Then of course I indulged in food and chocolate, but nevertheless, it did me good.

And as of this morning I was only 3.6 kg's away from my ultimate goal. What I'll do if I ever get there? Oh I dunno, probably eat a whole bar of chocolate :).

Vitaparcours

I live next to a forest, but until today I didn't realize there is a vitaparcours there. Actually, I didn't even know what a vitaparcours is.

Turns out to be a walk/jog/run trail with workout stations along the way. This is excellent news.

Today I walked the trail with a friend and a dog, which meant it took maybe three times as long as it would had I been alone. Lots of interesting things to sniff, according to doggy.

So now I'm waiting for some warmer weather, and I'll be out there. Something I'd never thought would happen, much less that I'd look forward to. Just goes to show, you never know what's around the corner.

Sport: cleaning

Lately I have been doing my own cleaning. I know, it sounds weird, but one of the things I always thought was worth it, was to buy cleaning help. I hated to clean. Washing, ironing, cooking, all the stuff that needs to be done, was never an issue for me, but cleaning was. It felt like a chore.

But no longer! I have discovered that cleaning is a sport. You move, you sweat, it's not something you particularly look forward to, but you feel so much better afterwards. And I know it's been done properly, when I've done it myself.

It's amazing it took me this many years to find that out.

Riding gear

Went shopping for riding gear today. I needed a helmet (as well as a healed tail bone), so that I don't have to borrow a dirty, god-knows-what-with-possibly-lice-in-it helmet I previously used. Had one when I was young(er), which unfortunately I threw away.

I also needed riding boots, or at least "chaps". That's what I learned they are called. These are thingies you use on your legs, if you don't have proper long boots, in order to prevent the leather straps to turn your inner legs to blue. Which happened to me all three times I took riding lessons so far.

Good thing I had a friend with me today. For two reasons actually. First, I didn't wanna splash out too much money on a helmet, since I don't plan on being professional, and so went for the 59 francs one. It fit, and felt great. But when I asked my friend if I looked good in it, he responded that nobody ever looks good in a helmet. Fair point.

Then we came to the cashier, and it turned out to be 119 francs. Twice the price. Not ok. My friend stepped in, and told them that if they advertise 59 francs, 59 francs it is. After some discussions, and "I have to call the manager" they offered me 20% off. I wasn't sure, but my friend told me to take it. After all, it was a great fit and he thought it would be safer than buying a cheaper one. Fair enough, even though I would've been happier with 59 francs. However, I melted a bit when I got free plastic bag. One of those that lasts a long time, and that had very pretty pictures of all kinds of animals on it. I know, I'm a cheap date.

Then I bought some "chaps", which to my great delight only fitted in small! And even they were not tight! When have I ever bought something in small since I was like 13? These days I seem to be happy for the smallest (haha) things.

And then the second reason I was happy my friend was with me. I was trying on some boots which would fit with the "chaps", but wasn't sure. I was thinking I could get something cheaper in a shoe store, and I don't need to look all that when taking riding lessons. He then said "stop now. I'm buying you these as an early birthday present!". I nearly kissed him then and there. But being me, of course I didn't.

In the evening we had dinner at my place and I was parading around in my new gear!

Biggest loser is back!

After enjoying fifteen seasons of the US version of biggest loser on youtube, I thought I was gonna have to wait another year for the next season, but whaddayaknow, the next season is already there. I guess there is always somebody who's willing to share quicker than anybody else. Good for me.

What is not so good is that my weight loss the first four months this year was on track, then four months maintaining it, and now I planned for the last four months of the year to lose another 3-5 kg's. Not going to plan. One day (after I was out drinking with the date) I lost 800 grams. Great, fantastic, I should do this more often. A few days later I gained 500 grams. One day I was gaining 400 grams even after doing sports morning and evening. Then another day I lost 400 grams doing nothing special. And last time I was riding I lost exactly 0 grams.

I think the body get used to the exercise, and that you have to shock it in order to lose more weight. Not that I'm overweight anymore, but I wanna stretch it and lose more. I know, I'm never gonna look like a greyhound and have no aspirations thereto, but maybe a slim dachshund?

Fat war

I am really p'o:d. Since I started my weightloss journey (as they say on Biggest loser, which btw sounds really stupid), I kinda reached my goal weight. But then I was going up, going down, and I wasn't sure where I would be at the next day.

So I decided that another at least 3, possibly 5 kg would be good to lose. That way I would have a bit of leeway. But the plan didn't work out, despite my efforts.

All of a sudden I was up 2 kg's. That didn't make sense. I was sporting every day, I was careful with what I was eating, and morals did rapidly go down the drain.

This was three days ago.

I had to up my game, so two days ago I did not only do half an hour on the spin bike in the morning, but also half an hour in the evening. Sweating like a pig (I really don't know if pigs sweat, but that's what you say), doing the up-and-down-program, starting out light, then a bit harder, then really hard, then light again and so forth. According to the bike I burned 300 calories and biked around 9 km's every half hour. So in total 600 calories and 18 km's of biking.

Next morning the scale showed exactly the same as the day before. How is that even possible?

But I'm not a quitter, so yesterday I biked half an hour in the morning and did two sessions * half an hour in the evening. In total 900 calories burned and around 27 km's of biking. And I didn't eat anything after three in the afternoon. At all.

Guess what? The scale didn't move one inch this morning. WTF?

I am really pissed off. I try so hard, and nothing works. I bet if I stop working out, I will lose weight. Maybe this sports thing is overrated, which would be fine with me.

Phew!

Wow, that bike thing required much more effort than I thought. This morning I biked 7.4 km's in 22 minutes and burned 219.7 calories. It was different resistance, there are about 10 programs to choose from.

But the worst thing was the saddle. I no longer seem to have an extra cushion at my bum. This is indeed good training before my next riding lesson.