Focusing cardio 11/5/04

I haven't been able to do weight training for close to two weeks. My yoga class always leaves my muscles sore and I don't want to take a chance. So I have been focusing more on cardio these days. Today I decided to get on whatever cardio machine for 45 minutes. Because both ArcTrainer machines were taken, I got on my good old Elliptical. What a difference! My legs were stronger and I was doing faster. Oh, so you ask about my weight? Ahhh, the scale in the locker room seems to have been fixed for a while. I just haven't had guts to get on it. Grrr.

Spring semester 11/2/04

Yesterday I found spring catalog in my Main campus mailbox. Today I found another one in Montoya. I like working out in the morning and just can't imagine doing in the middle of the day. My options in Montoya is the same Intro to yoga class TR 7am or Debbie's step plus class on MWF at 8am. I like to look into Tai-Chi class because it probably doesn't interrupt my weight training schedule. But it is in the middle of the day. Should I just give up student status and just stick with going to the gym for cardio and weight training? Grr.

Nutrition tips from "Dumbbell Fitness" 11/1/04

I read Dumbbell Fitness: It's Amazing What a Dumbbell Can Do while traveling this weekend. The book has no-nonsense attitude towards fitness and weight training using dumbbells. I particularly liked their nutrition tips.

1. Avoid adding salt to your meals. As a Japanese, I can never stop reminding myself about excessive sodium intake. It leads to high blood pressure.
2. Avoid frying foods. As much as I love てんぷら, I keep this in mind. I grill French fries.
3. Be careful not to overcook vegetables. Japanese love to cook vegetables and don't serve as raw often enough. I am just lazy so I don't cook enough.
4. Drink plenty of water. I have been trying to drink 8 gallons of water upon 殿様's advice. He says people in Texas drink 10 gallons a day and get me compete with Texans.
5. Do not eat within two hours of going to sleep. Ahh, this is the only one I have not been keeping up. At least I don't eat anything heavy, right? Grrr.

Swimming in Chapel Hill community swimming pool 10/31/04

Don't be mistake just because I am off Internet, I am off fitness! I was visiting North Carolina this weekend and asked Kubota sensei for good after-conference fitness activities. She said she can take me to the community center pool she frequents. So we went. There were only a few people at the pool and I got to swim in the far lane all by myself. I proudly showed my goggles with corrective lenses (see its late August entry) and got ready with my water-proof watch with lap counters. First thing I noticed was water temperature. It was rather chilly. But I kept going and realized that there was even a spot towards the end that is even colder. I thought maybe because it is deeper. Then the next thing I noticed is that I am about 5 seconds slower than usual. I thought, ah, maybe I am tired after the conference. (yeah, right, what exactly did I do?) But as I go along, I noticed that I am constantly 5 seconds behind. Normally about 5-7 laps are the hardest part. After 10, I get into the rhythm and each lap feels quicker. Still I was more than 2 minutes slower when I got done with my usual 20 laps, usually 30-minutes swim. I got into the free-swim lane to talk to Kubota sensei and she said that is probably 25 yard while my gym goes by something else. Grrr. I usually swim breast stroke-like to the deep side without dipping my face in the water and come back with back stroke. Kubota sensei teased me that I really don't need any goggles. About half-way through when I was doing the 20 laps, I noticed that number written on the side of the pool. The depth of the pool says 11 feet on one side! At the gym pool, I can barely stand on one side, but I can still stand. I really got scared! Once Kubota sensei took off to do a couple of more laps, I dipped my face into the water and I noticed the pool is extremely getting deep and her body is barely covering the surface. Oh, my.