walk in Arbor Hill Reserve 1/26/07

Maybe December through February is the best time to be in Texas. While rest of the country worries about traveling, shoveling snow every time they start up the car and make a big deal of Groundhog telling how many weeks of winter are left, we normally enjoy warm weather. This year feels colder the last, but now I know I have to savor this weather before warm spring hits. For the last week or so, the weather has been cold, often icy, I took advantage of light Friday and brought ALL the work home and headed to my new favorite spot Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. My dog, Pepper and I must have spent about two hours. It is not a rigorous cardio exercise, but if I go to the gym, the dog doesn't get to exercise. Today was a perfect day.

apple, skinny legs 1/25/07

As I figured out I am an "apple" opposed to "pear", I have taken the approach of showing the strength rather than straightening the weakness (heavy top). So I try to wear clothes that flatter my legs. Although the weight has not changed (at least I should say whole lot), but the legs are still slimming more. So when I wear skirt, when I am not teaching, I like wearing shorter skirts. Probably shorter than ever. My favorite store is American Eagle Outfitters and I realize I clearly don't belong to that store. All I see is both female and male kids that I deal at work and they sell "dormwear". When I wear pants, I try to wear slimmer pants or shorts. I can't exactly wear shorts when I am teaching and the weather is not exactly for then even in Texas. I need petit length, so finding good bottom is not too easy. The second favorite these days is Newport News and they have cute, feminine looking dresses and pants.

running up the stairs 1/24/07

My office is on the third floor and I make it a rule that I do not use the elevator unless I have VERY heavy things to carry. The other day, a Spanish teacher and I were almost walking together and then I got behind because I stopped by the campus post office. Then he opened the door for me saying, "Te gané.", so I got ムキになって ran upstairs. I have only two classes a week in the same building. 3 days of 1st year and 2 days of 2nd year are in Dallas Hall, which I leave 5 minutes earlier and 2 days of 2nd year is even further down. I sit in the office long enough, so moving around campus and going up the stairs is a good thing. I try to hop.

periotization 1/23/07

When I did body age test with a trainer, Andrew (?), he went through extensive interview before hand. I mentioned that I regularly workout, but my weight does not change. I am not too frustrated about it, though. I think what is most important is to keep going. He pointed out I would have to vary my exercises, patterns, sets/reps and EVERYTHING because my body already knows what to expect. He waved at me today, too. Of course having a consultation with a trainer will give me some fresh ideas. But I can do the same from my books and web resources. Besides personal trainer fee is actually more expensive than the monthly member fee. I simply don't feel that I can afford it. So far I am comfortable what I do and that is what keeps me going. In a busy time, I don't always get the machines I want, so I end up using different ones. So let's just call that is a variation for now.

body age 1/22/07

Earlier this year, there was a sign-up sheet for free body age assessment at the gym. The same thing was offered when I first signed up in August 2005. Now it is January 2007, about 1 and 1/2 years later, I went through the same tests. In 2005, I was 38 and I was surprised my body was 43. I had been working out pretty heavily in NM, so I was quite surprised. I am now 40 and my body is 38! My biggest improvement came from cardio function, but my flexibility suffered even more. The analysis sheet says if I improve the flexibility to average, I will reduce two more years. I always thought flexibility to be my strength and thought it was just a bad morning, before doing any stretch, but now I am a little concerned. I have been teaching, sitting and staring at the computer, for a while, so I am pleased with the result. Today, I decided to take it easy and do as a rest day. Lazy day because I had to come home early to pick up the dog. They needed to do pest control spray and the dog couldn't be here.

Happy New Year! 1/21/07

OK, that is even old. New Years celebration is supposed to be the first three days of the year. School even started. I am not going to go on with excuses why I hadn't written. Of course I have plenty to write. For today, I just made myself back here. Stay tuned.