Exercise 3/6: Tae-Bo
Time: 45 min
Learning the new moves. :-)
Cleaned the bottom of my runners beforehand , so I could work out in my living room. Hope I didn't bother the people downstairs too much ;-). At least it is low-impact compared to aerobics.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
2 for 1
Sunday, Sept 24th.
Exercise 1/6: Karate
Time: 1:30
Monday, Sept 25th.
Exercise 2/6: Tae-Bo from my new DVD's!!!!!!
Time: 45min
Yep, my problem of being "housebound" by darkness and children is solved! It would seem that Colin had ordered the exercise DVD's that I wanted a long time ago. They arrived a couple of days ago! Thanks Mom, for shipping them over. :-)
I tried the first video out today. It was just the intro video in order to learn the proper techniques. But it was fun! And ALOT of it matches with Karate (I guess the instructer on the DVD, Billy Blanks, being a 7-time world martial arts Champion would have something to do with it...:-/) Anyhow, I am amused.
Exercise 1/6: Karate
Time: 1:30
Monday, Sept 25th.
Exercise 2/6: Tae-Bo from my new DVD's!!!!!!
Time: 45min
Yep, my problem of being "housebound" by darkness and children is solved! It would seem that Colin had ordered the exercise DVD's that I wanted a long time ago. They arrived a couple of days ago! Thanks Mom, for shipping them over. :-)
I tried the first video out today. It was just the intro video in order to learn the proper techniques. But it was fun! And ALOT of it matches with Karate (I guess the instructer on the DVD, Billy Blanks, being a 7-time world martial arts Champion would have something to do with it...:-/) Anyhow, I am amused.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Sports Day #2
Exercise 6/6: Walking/Tugging/3-legged running ;-)
Time: 40 min (walking)/other stuff...throughout the day
Today was the kid's school sports day in the morning and the town one in the afternoon. For those of you faithful readers, last year we attended 4 seperate sports festivals. Our town merged with the closest big city in April, so some things have been restructered. This year, the town and the school shared the festival and it ran very smoothly...not much differently actually.
Last year, the Madlands loved this day...except Mixon, who was still in the throes of culture shock. He shed many tears last year and wouldn't let us out of his sight (it was very hard to participate in some things...) . Today, last year was barely a memory :-). We hardly saw both kids all day, except from afar, and then they were waving huge flags or organizing OTHER kids into groups for the next game. My neighbours were keenly watching the mouths of my children during the cheering contest to see if they knew the Japanese. They still can't get over the fact that our kids are fluent and have no accent! ;-)
We have come to learn, this past year, that this little town does very little changing in general. I think our presence here has been quite an experience, not just for us, but for many of them as well.
It was a good day.
Time: 40 min (walking)/other stuff...throughout the day
Today was the kid's school sports day in the morning and the town one in the afternoon. For those of you faithful readers, last year we attended 4 seperate sports festivals. Our town merged with the closest big city in April, so some things have been restructered. This year, the town and the school shared the festival and it ran very smoothly...not much differently actually.
Last year, the Madlands loved this day...except Mixon, who was still in the throes of culture shock. He shed many tears last year and wouldn't let us out of his sight (it was very hard to participate in some things...) . Today, last year was barely a memory :-). We hardly saw both kids all day, except from afar, and then they were waving huge flags or organizing OTHER kids into groups for the next game. My neighbours were keenly watching the mouths of my children during the cheering contest to see if they knew the Japanese. They still can't get over the fact that our kids are fluent and have no accent! ;-)
We have come to learn, this past year, that this little town does very little changing in general. I think our presence here has been quite an experience, not just for us, but for many of them as well.
It was a good day.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Friday and Early don't go together!
Exercise 5/6: 100 squats/5 hindu push-ups (previously called yoga-push-ups...)/60 crunches ( in 2 sets of 30)
I did NOT want to get up this morning. But once again...y'all came to the rescue. I was convincing myself to work out after school...but knowing at the same time that I probably wouldn't...being Friday afternoon and all. Then I remembered I would have to post 6 times this week...and that leaves only Friday and Saturday to get the last 2 in. So, I got up and worked out this morning.
This accountability (the threat of having to put out money for failure...) really works! :-)
I did NOT want to get up this morning. But once again...y'all came to the rescue. I was convincing myself to work out after school...but knowing at the same time that I probably wouldn't...being Friday afternoon and all. Then I remembered I would have to post 6 times this week...and that leaves only Friday and Saturday to get the last 2 in. So, I got up and worked out this morning.
This accountability (the threat of having to put out money for failure...) really works! :-)
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Tired Kiddies
Exercise 4/6: Karate
Time: 1:30
Karate was chaos tonight. All the kids in elementary school were out to lunch. The one kid still in kindergarten cried for the first half and then spent quite a bit of time in the toilet pooping. (I only mention it because it was a big deal...) Selah spun in circles and rarely paid attention and Mixon sat on the side with an upset stomach. They are all exhausted from being back to school AND practicing every day for undoukai (sports festival). None of them really wanted to be at Karate.
Anyhow, I had a fairly decent workout AND enjoyed myself...at the very least, the kids were amusing. ;-)
Time: 1:30
Karate was chaos tonight. All the kids in elementary school were out to lunch. The one kid still in kindergarten cried for the first half and then spent quite a bit of time in the toilet pooping. (I only mention it because it was a big deal...) Selah spun in circles and rarely paid attention and Mixon sat on the side with an upset stomach. They are all exhausted from being back to school AND practicing every day for undoukai (sports festival). None of them really wanted to be at Karate.
Anyhow, I had a fairly decent workout AND enjoyed myself...at the very least, the kids were amusing. ;-)
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
100 in a row!
Exercise 3/6: 100 squats in a row! 50 crunches. 3 (in a row) yoga push-ups.
(NOTE: Previous squats were done in sets of 10 with 2 yoga push ups at the end of each set...)
Wow, my quads felt like like big knots after that was done! I surprised myself by getting to 100! (this seems to be a running theme in my work-out journey....)
Now, if I could just walk... (ha ha, just kidding)
(NOTE: Previous squats were done in sets of 10 with 2 yoga push ups at the end of each set...)
Wow, my quads felt like like big knots after that was done! I surprised myself by getting to 100! (this seems to be a running theme in my work-out journey....)
Now, if I could just walk... (ha ha, just kidding)
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
いたい です!!!
Exercise 2/6: 70 squats/14 yoga push-ups/ 35 sit-ups on the ABS ball (& I don't mean crunches!)
The title today is "itai desu" which roughly translates as It Hurts!!! Yesterday, I was still recovering from back catching and Karate the night after. (How embarrasing! ;-) So, I took the day "off". It was a national holiday in Japan, so I REALLY took the day off! :)
Today we have an interesting dilema. Colin has decided to drive to school from now on. That means he wants to work out in the mornings before work, too. But we can't both go riding and neither of us is willing to get up at 5:00 either...but the point is moot because it is too dark to ride then. After school I could go except I can't. The kids need their mom and Colin doesn't get home until it is almost dark. hmmmmm. How to (both) get a cardio workout is the question of the day.
The title today is "itai desu" which roughly translates as It Hurts!!! Yesterday, I was still recovering from back catching and Karate the night after. (How embarrasing! ;-) So, I took the day "off". It was a national holiday in Japan, so I REALLY took the day off! :)
Today we have an interesting dilema. Colin has decided to drive to school from now on. That means he wants to work out in the mornings before work, too. But we can't both go riding and neither of us is willing to get up at 5:00 either...but the point is moot because it is too dark to ride then. After school I could go except I can't. The kids need their mom and Colin doesn't get home until it is almost dark. hmmmmm. How to (both) get a cardio workout is the question of the day.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Typhoon Humidity
Exercise 1/6: Karate
Time: 1:30
Wow, is it humid tonight! There is a big Typhoon heading north between Japan's West Coast and Korea. This morning, the forecast said it would be over top of us by tomorrow. But when I checked a couple of hours later, ShanShan had changed course enough that we wouldn't be in the danger circle. It is cloudy, rainy and VERY HUMID though. I hardly had to move tonight and I had sweat pouring off of me. The air is thick and heavy. But, at least we don't have to deal with a typhoon here over the next couple of days.
btw: i am down another kilogram...which means another 2.2 pounds. :-)
Time: 1:30
Wow, is it humid tonight! There is a big Typhoon heading north between Japan's West Coast and Korea. This morning, the forecast said it would be over top of us by tomorrow. But when I checked a couple of hours later, ShanShan had changed course enough that we wouldn't be in the danger circle. It is cloudy, rainy and VERY HUMID though. I hardly had to move tonight and I had sweat pouring off of me. The air is thick and heavy. But, at least we don't have to deal with a typhoon here over the next couple of days.
btw: i am down another kilogram...which means another 2.2 pounds. :-)
Softball
Exercise 6/6: Backcatcher!
Time: 1 hour
Last night I was wondering how I could legitimately post softball as a work-out. Standing at 2nd base and then batting once in a while just doesn't get the heart-rate going. Then, they made me back-catcher! Now, I have NEVER played that position before (first handicap), I speak very elemenary Japanese (2nd handicap), and I am not well-versed in the details of Softball rules (3rd handicap). I was very grateful to my Dad last night, for all the times we went and played catch at the field down the street while I was growing up! I held my own pretty well. I kept hearing my team-mates yell, "Nice Catchie" (that is the Japanese accent...they actually have a lot of 'English' words in softball, here). And, it also happened that we, as a team, sucked! So, I was behind home plate for most of the evening. When we were up to bat, it was only for 3 batters, usually. By the end of the evening I was soaked in sweat. I had had a full work-out: squat, catch, stand, throw, squat, catch, stand, throw, squat, catch (nice catchie!), stand throw, repeat all evening!
Kudos to all back-catchers out there. I had no idea!
I am also sporting a beautiful war-wound this morning. I caught a ball with my calf last night and this morning I have a lovely contusion that hurts with every step. But I am proud to bear it! ;-)
Time: 1 hour
Last night I was wondering how I could legitimately post softball as a work-out. Standing at 2nd base and then batting once in a while just doesn't get the heart-rate going. Then, they made me back-catcher! Now, I have NEVER played that position before (first handicap), I speak very elemenary Japanese (2nd handicap), and I am not well-versed in the details of Softball rules (3rd handicap). I was very grateful to my Dad last night, for all the times we went and played catch at the field down the street while I was growing up! I held my own pretty well. I kept hearing my team-mates yell, "Nice Catchie" (that is the Japanese accent...they actually have a lot of 'English' words in softball, here). And, it also happened that we, as a team, sucked! So, I was behind home plate for most of the evening. When we were up to bat, it was only for 3 batters, usually. By the end of the evening I was soaked in sweat. I had had a full work-out: squat, catch, stand, throw, squat, catch, stand, throw, squat, catch (nice catchie!), stand throw, repeat all evening!
Kudos to all back-catchers out there. I had no idea!
I am also sporting a beautiful war-wound this morning. I caught a ball with my calf last night and this morning I have a lovely contusion that hurts with every step. But I am proud to bear it! ;-)
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Yesterday
Exercise 5/6: cycling all over town
Time: about 1 hour
It is a long weekend!!! Monday is Respect for the Aged Day in Japan.
Yesterday after school, we biked to the next town to get videos and then back to our Plant 6 (like Superstore) to get groceries. I remember last year when we got here, we found it SO overwhelming to have to go to Plant 6 on a bike to get groceries for 4 people. Mind you we only had 1 bike at the time...
Now that we have 4 bikes (actually 6, but that's another story) we use Selah's basket, my basket and one backpack. That does us for half the week, so we go 2 times. Not bad...and we get exercise and family-time out of the deal. (the kids have resisted initially because this cuts into their playtime with friends, but they are getting used to it. AND once we are actually on the way, they like it...I was the same way as a kid ;-)
Time: about 1 hour
It is a long weekend!!! Monday is Respect for the Aged Day in Japan.
Yesterday after school, we biked to the next town to get videos and then back to our Plant 6 (like Superstore) to get groceries. I remember last year when we got here, we found it SO overwhelming to have to go to Plant 6 on a bike to get groceries for 4 people. Mind you we only had 1 bike at the time...
Now that we have 4 bikes (actually 6, but that's another story) we use Selah's basket, my basket and one backpack. That does us for half the week, so we go 2 times. Not bad...and we get exercise and family-time out of the deal. (the kids have resisted initially because this cuts into their playtime with friends, but they are getting used to it. AND once we are actually on the way, they like it...I was the same way as a kid ;-)
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Karate
Exercise 4/6: Karate
Time: 1:30
I enjoyed it...but the kids are tired. Getting back into routine makes Thursday nights seem long.
Time: 1:30
I enjoyed it...but the kids are tired. Getting back into routine makes Thursday nights seem long.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
A Trip for Coffee
Exercise 3/6: 2 stints of cycling
Time: 35-ish min X 2 = more than 1 hour
Sports Day yesterday was a blast. :-) I ran with some girls in a 5 legged race. We were anchors for our team and our team fell way behind so when we ran we were totally on our own...all eyes on us. We chanted 1-2-1-2-1-2...in English and got around the pylon without falling. :-) If you have to lose...lose big! ;-)
After supper, I rode to Ogaki on my bike. I was out of coffee beans! Desperate times call for desperate measures. Anyhow, I went to my favourite coffee shop in the mall (Tully's) and met a friend there. We chatted (far too long!) over a peach smoothie and a banana/acai yogurt shake and then I rode home again.
One thing I am looking forward to back in Canada is wider roads and sidewalks! (Mind you, the vehicles will be going twice the speed...). I read the other day that Kamloops is well-known for its Mountain Biking trails! Those will be nice too!
Colin has all but given up on cycling all the way to work...again. After investing in better quality tires, he went to get on his bike yesterday morning and found a flat.:-| There is one section of the trail that is littered with debris (glass, metal etc) and he seems to pick something up everytime he rides by. Anyhow, he only cycled to our local train station today. It is about a 15 min ride for him. The commute will take just as long.
Time: 35-ish min X 2 = more than 1 hour
Sports Day yesterday was a blast. :-) I ran with some girls in a 5 legged race. We were anchors for our team and our team fell way behind so when we ran we were totally on our own...all eyes on us. We chanted 1-2-1-2-1-2...in English and got around the pylon without falling. :-) If you have to lose...lose big! ;-)
After supper, I rode to Ogaki on my bike. I was out of coffee beans! Desperate times call for desperate measures. Anyhow, I went to my favourite coffee shop in the mall (Tully's) and met a friend there. We chatted (far too long!) over a peach smoothie and a banana/acai yogurt shake and then I rode home again.
One thing I am looking forward to back in Canada is wider roads and sidewalks! (Mind you, the vehicles will be going twice the speed...). I read the other day that Kamloops is well-known for its Mountain Biking trails! Those will be nice too!
Colin has all but given up on cycling all the way to work...again. After investing in better quality tires, he went to get on his bike yesterday morning and found a flat.:-| There is one section of the trail that is littered with debris (glass, metal etc) and he seems to pick something up everytime he rides by. Anyhow, he only cycled to our local train station today. It is about a 15 min ride for him. The commute will take just as long.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
AM Strength
Exercise 2/6: 60 squats/12 Yoga push-ups
Today is Sport's Festival Day at the high school. I am on the white team this year and get to run in the 6 legged race (5 people)? Anyhow, I'll let you know how it goes. ;-)
Also, I am going to ride into Ogaki tonight for coffee with a friend. Going car-less tonight.
Today is Sport's Festival Day at the high school. I am on the white team this year and get to run in the 6 legged race (5 people)? Anyhow, I'll let you know how it goes. ;-)
Also, I am going to ride into Ogaki tonight for coffee with a friend. Going car-less tonight.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Karate
Exercise 1/6: Karate
Time: 1:30
Tonight was a stretching night...literally! We always do stretches, but tonight we worked with partners to stretch out our legs. I stood with my back against the wall and Colin stood facing me. He did a horse stance (in a squat position with feet parallel but far apart and knees out...like straddling a horse) and I put one leg on his shoulder (in various kicking positions...one front kick. another was a side kick) and then he stood slowly until I couldn't take anymore..and froze. Then we switched. A couple of the kids from one family are super flexible and they can do the splits in any direction. There is much difference between them and I in this exercise! ;-)
Colin has bought new tires that seem to be more durable. So, we shall see how they hold up during this week's commute. Ganbatte, my love!
Time: 1:30
Tonight was a stretching night...literally! We always do stretches, but tonight we worked with partners to stretch out our legs. I stood with my back against the wall and Colin stood facing me. He did a horse stance (in a squat position with feet parallel but far apart and knees out...like straddling a horse) and I put one leg on his shoulder (in various kicking positions...one front kick. another was a side kick) and then he stood slowly until I couldn't take anymore..and froze. Then we switched. A couple of the kids from one family are super flexible and they can do the splits in any direction. There is much difference between them and I in this exercise! ;-)
Colin has bought new tires that seem to be more durable. So, we shall see how they hold up during this week's commute. Ganbatte, my love!
Cutting it close!
Wow, my deadline is 1 1/2 hours away!
...but that is okay cuz I finished my workouts. :-P
Saturday AM
Exercise 5/6: cycling
Time: 40:13
Av. HR: 142
Saturday PM
Exercise 6/6: Neo River (climbing/hiking/river-walking...on my feet all day etc)
We took the ALT's from our area out to our favourite swimming hole. We rented 2 vans (which was a feat in and of itself) and drove out together for the day. It has been raining heavily this week (and terribly humid) so the river was quite high! Our usual place to set up "camp" was under water and the current was quite strong...
...to read more, check out our family blog, Stories of Cultural Vertigo. (I don't want to have to type it all twice ;-) )
...but that is okay cuz I finished my workouts. :-P
Saturday AM
Exercise 5/6: cycling
Time: 40:13
Av. HR: 142
Saturday PM
Exercise 6/6: Neo River (climbing/hiking/river-walking...on my feet all day etc)
We took the ALT's from our area out to our favourite swimming hole. We rented 2 vans (which was a feat in and of itself) and drove out together for the day. It has been raining heavily this week (and terribly humid) so the river was quite high! Our usual place to set up "camp" was under water and the current was quite strong...
...to read more, check out our family blog, Stories of Cultural Vertigo. (I don't want to have to type it all twice ;-) )
Friday, September 08, 2006
Too many flats
But they weren't mine! I didn't go riding Thursday morning for 2 reasons...1) it was pouring and 2) I have Karate in the evening. But, Colin called from some town on his way home from school, after his 2nd flat. (Thank-goodness for cell phones!) All his patches were used up (because he has had a flat almost everyday this week!). Then he tried a different tube and it allowed him to "limp" home by 6:30. So, I didn't have to take the car and try to find him. Needless to say, we missed Karate and he was just a little discouraged about riding to work. On Sunday, he will take some time to go buy quality tires.
So, yesterday ended up being my day off of exercising.
I chickened out of riding this morning cuz it was pouring.
I will have to do a workout after school. Maybe I will risk bugging my neighbours, put on some Aerosmith and do my own version of a Karate/Tae-bo work out in my living room.
More later...
So, yesterday ended up being my day off of exercising.
I chickened out of riding this morning cuz it was pouring.
I will have to do a workout after school. Maybe I will risk bugging my neighbours, put on some Aerosmith and do my own version of a Karate/Tae-bo work out in my living room.
More later...
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
uuugh.
Exercise 4/6: 60 sqats/14 yoga push-ups/ 20 sit ups
Woke up this morning on time but felt really queasy. So I opted for a strength work-out instead of nothing at all. [It is shorter in length and closer to the toilet ;-) ]
Woke up this morning on time but felt really queasy. So I opted for a strength work-out instead of nothing at all. [It is shorter in length and closer to the toilet ;-) ]
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Riding
Exercise 3/6: Cycling
Time: 34:52
Av. HR: 146
A little slower this morning...but no harm in that. At least I was out there. I had no source of inspiriation either (like Asahi man yesterday...or Colin the time before that...or tunes)
Colin and I are going to invest in an iPod Nano...but we are waiting until after Sept 16th or so. The rumor is that Apple is coming out with a new version that is aluminum (won't scratch so easily), has more memory and costs less. We are going to TRY to share one. ;-)
Time: 34:52
Av. HR: 146
A little slower this morning...but no harm in that. At least I was out there. I had no source of inspiriation either (like Asahi man yesterday...or Colin the time before that...or tunes)
Colin and I are going to invest in an iPod Nano...but we are waiting until after Sept 16th or so. The rumor is that Apple is coming out with a new version that is aluminum (won't scratch so easily), has more memory and costs less. We are going to TRY to share one. ;-)
Monday, September 04, 2006
Eeeeearly!
Exercise 2/6: Cycling
Time: 33:25
Av. HR: 151
I set the alarm for 5am. It was still dark so I reset it for 5:30. Yuck. Anyhow, I got in my ride before Colin had to go to work. Now if I can just get myself into bed at a decent time on a regular basis it shouldn't be too bad. (If the grammas here can be up and gardening by that hour, I can haul my hynie onto a bike).
I had fun trying to keep up with a university racer this morning. He was wearing his Asahi University cycling uniform...and he was fast. So, it was more like, "let's see if I can finish this length before he laps me...again! ;-) Seriously, he was fast.
Time: 33:25
Av. HR: 151
I set the alarm for 5am. It was still dark so I reset it for 5:30. Yuck. Anyhow, I got in my ride before Colin had to go to work. Now if I can just get myself into bed at a decent time on a regular basis it shouldn't be too bad. (If the grammas here can be up and gardening by that hour, I can haul my hynie onto a bike).
I had fun trying to keep up with a university racer this morning. He was wearing his Asahi University cycling uniform...and he was fast. So, it was more like, "let's see if I can finish this length before he laps me...again! ;-) Seriously, he was fast.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Karate Night
Exercise 1/6: Karate
Time: 1:30
Fall is in the air! Not like back in Canada, but the evenings are definitely feeling cooler (sometimes goes as low as 23˚C!) and its getting dark earlier! Woohoo!
Time: 1:30
Fall is in the air! Not like back in Canada, but the evenings are definitely feeling cooler (sometimes goes as low as 23˚C!) and its getting dark earlier! Woohoo!
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