exercise - The Seventh Sphinx

It’s been pouring rain here in Cambridge.

But I don’t mind a bit of rain.

Even a lot of rain…

I don’t actually run with my hair down (that would be silly/disastrous) but doubtless you have been wondering, what does a sphinx’s hair look like when it is wet? You see how I am always thinking of you.

Here it is freshly washed, with a bit of conditioner and oil in. This is the stage just before it goes into its habitual bun. I will leave it down now and then (to air dry – blow driers are impracticable) but it’s always something of a crapshoot, how things will turn out (especially good days live on in memory).

I’ve historically kept such a tight reign on my hair that I need to make a conscious effort to let it be, and embrace the chaos. It’s a good exercise, though. And after all, if it seems messy in a way I do not like (as opposed to strategically messy, within a range of what seems to me to be acceptably, stylishly messy), no one cares. I’m not even sure it’s an observable distinction for others. The inexorable familiarity with oneself seems always to be causing such discrepancies.

I was decidedly damp by the end of this little documentation session.

Ever since I started playing tennis a few years ago I’ve come around to the virtues of proper activewear (as opposed to, say, retired pajamas). There are so many brands making good, fashion-conscious activewear now. Yet another arena in which one need not suspend one’s style to participate.

I’ve been on the lookout for a pair of bright sneakers (to encourage the wearing of said sneakers, and the activities when wearing) but haven’t found one I like yet. Isn’t it always the way. It is just one quest after another, this life.

Climawear top, New Balance sports bra, Soffe shorts, Saucony sneakers, Adidas Duramo watch.

Great running track: Cut Copy – Lights and Music

OK, don’t make fun of me.

I needed exercise! Cheap exercise! I don’t like running! I try but it hurts!

Yes. These are 3 lb weights.

3 lb weights are cheaper than 5 lb weights! 5 lb weights are pretty heavy, eventually!

[So are 3 lb weights, for that matter, 20 minutes in.]

I basically did this every other day for a month (a few months ago now), and saw pretty prompt results. I’m a good candidate in a way, because I’m not trying to be especially ripped or the queen of stamina or anything, I just want to be healthy (you could absolutely get ripped doing this, but I mean a good candidate for a DVD, which can be turned off and abandoned at any point, and probably is). Gaining muscle tone isn’t my goal, not losing muscle tone is my goal (and the recommended goal of those over 30, according to lots of sources that seem sound to me). I can take a desultory approach and still maintain good cardio health and muscle.

With my approach the regimen has only a moderate effect on weight (diet is much more significant than exercise) but I can see that if I were doing it every day, and seriously attacking the exercises, I could have all of the abs a girl could want. [I could have way too many abs.]

I don’t mind Jillian Michaels, either. She’s business-like, and not overly friendly. I do it less often now, maybe once a week, or not even that depending on what else I do that week. At first, in fact, it was a little too effective. My thighs were getting boxier than I wanted, which allowed me (conveniently) to justify doing it less…

So. Yes, I bought the 30 Day Shred. I am keeping it.

Tag: exercise

the rain run

working it out