Inspiration/Perspiration Fridays

Got the Clammy dizzy shake shake shakes

Ms. Bockle: I’ve recently joined a gym, just a small one, with loads of friendly, knowledgeable staff—and plenty of equipment. They give advice on how to move with the weights: sit up straight, knees at right angles to the floor, make my legs do the work, not my arms. They tell me to relax my neck and work with my shoulders. Lean with my heels, not the toes. That kind of stuff. The first time I heard all this advice I felt like a real klutz, plus my mind was spinning—and I couldn’t relax my arms, or neck—or whatever, very easily, if at all.

But I’m not giving up. In fact, even after today I’m not quitting. I used to get on the elliptical and go for 45 minutes—especially if the music was just the right beat, or I was watching a suspenseful film. Today my ‘warm-up’ was 12 minutes on the elliptical, and I was glad to get off after that short time, in spite of the great music. It was time for some weight training on my shoulders and core, holding the weights just so, up a little more—tighten it a bit there, perfect.

Suddenly I felt light-headed and dizzy, shaky all over. Legs and arms felt like noodles. I needed to abruptly quit, so my noodle legs walked me over to a bench, I sat down and put my head on my knees. Five minutes later I was well enough to get up and get on with the day.

Lesson learned? I need to go to the gym more often. And today, I’m gonna do some yoga.

How Bout A Nice Relaxing Ice Cold Bath?

LaFitterina: For those times when you’ve worked up a wicked sweat, here’s some info on ice baths (as opposed to ‘ice bucket challenge’). Soaking in a tub filled with water and ice can reduce inflammation of tissues and joints, relieve soreness, and speed up your recovery after a long run or tough workout.

Steps to taking an ice bath (adapted from About.com):

1. Fill bathtub with cold water, and slowly get in. Let your body adjust to the temperature. (Note: If anyone else is home, you may want to warn them that they may hear some screaming coming from the bathroom. Let them know that you’re fine — just cold!)
2. You can mitigate the shock by wrapping a towel around your upper body, or going in the tub with workout tights and a sweatshirt, and still get the same benefits. Also, sip some hot tea, coffee, or cocoa.
3. Dump one 5-pound bag of ice (or a few trays of ice) into the tub. If you can tolerate that, dump another 5-pound bag of ice in the tub. (Again, the warning to family members or roommates is helpful for this part.)
4. Soak for 10 minutes. If you feel numbness, get out sooner.

Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.

St. Swartz:

You work and work for years and years, you’re always on the go
You never take a minute off, too busy makin’ dough
Someday you say, you’ll have your fun, when you’re a millionaire
Imagine all the fun you’ll have in your old rockin’ chair
Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think
Enjoy yourself, while you’re still in the pink
The years go by, as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think
You’re gonna take that ocean trip, no matter come what may
You’ve got your reservations made, but you just can’t get away
Next year for sure, you’ll see the world, you’ll really get around
But how far can you travel when you’re six feet underground?
Your heart of hearts, your dream of dreams, your ravishing brunette
She’s left you and she’s now become somebody else’s pet
Lay down that gun, don’t try my friend to reach the great beyond
You’ll have more fun by reaching for a redhead or a blond
Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think
Enjoy yourself, while you’re still in the pink
The years go by, as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think
You never go to night clubs and you just don’t care to dance
You don’t have time for silly things like moonlight and romance
You only think of dollar bills tied neatly in a stack
But when you kiss a dollar bill, it doesn’t kiss you back
Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think
Enjoy yourself, while you’re still in the pink
The years go by, as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think

That One Went a Little Wrong

Mizzfit: I searched for funny extreme sports fail videos but all I saw were ones where skateboarders kept running into poles with their crotches. Ouch. So, instead, I give you a small fail by a charming and quite brave English bloke. Cheers.

[Img.Src: womaninbath]