Off The Couch....
Fods, I love waking up and reading what you Fiends have been up to in the night!! This is something I do even before TEA, kid you not. (Well, to be honest if I had someone to bring me tea, I'd read you with tea, most likely snorting it in the process...) But there it is every morning, Bengals all over the bed, and Fiends on the Blackberry.
Not a bad way to wake.
I've been thinking a lot about fitness this week, and think I need some Fit going on in my life. It's that really hard time of year when it is dark all the time and grey, and cold. I don't want to go out, and when I am home, I want me some couch, and for dinner, the only thing in this town someone will bring me, PIZZA.
Horse started me thinking on this last week, and oddly enough, Kat Von D and her co-horts in her shop. I really want to go out to LA in the spring and get my first tattoo, I know what I want for a tattoo and now I know where I want to get it. Any of them can do it for me, I've been watching the show, and quite like them all, they make people so happy. They have this really great, friendly, cuddly, loving, anti-snob attitude going on. Could almost be the Midwest. I like them. A lot.
But back to my point, and I do have one, I want to be really fit and feeling strong and good when I get it. And it might help with this whole Winter Dark Ick Sleep Feel Like A Pudding thing that seems to be once again creeping in.
That's what I am thinking about this morning. And begging the question, the First Tattoo? Freaky Venus, first Bengal. More than anything this year, in a year when a lot has been going on, it's the Bengal rescue and work that has been most important, and I always thought that when I found something important enough to me, that I would want on me and with me for the rest of my life, I would get that first tattoo.
Found it.
Love and fitness,
Lorraine
posted by FabulousLorraine @ 6:55 AM
76 Comments
76 Comments:
I am trying hard with the fitness thing...lately what has been working for me is going to a Curves. It's a circuit of machines and you go around in a circle staying on each machine for 30 seconds then 30 seconds of walking in place. It's women only which I'm not crazy about, but it does mean that there is no primping and it's folks I feel comfortable exercising with.
For me, I have to exercise right after work....I can't stop at home or I never leave.
Well, recently I've taken the Chest Infection diet which has meant that I've lost half a stone in weight by coughing and being ill. This is not a good way to lose weight. As it is, none of my trousers fit properly at the moment.
But seriously, I've found that cycling is one of the best ways to get fit.
I'm cheating a bit at the moment by using an electric pushbike (kindly provided by work), but also have just bought a mountain bike to really get the thighs going when cycling up hill (and here in Surrey, UK there are a few..). Mind you, it's all no good when you can't be bothered to cook and eat fish and chips at the end of the day..
Both goodideas, and you are both right, it is that going home, if I havent' worked out before that, ain't going ot happen, and if I don't have some sort of food plan it it's going to be pizza.
I think I will set the goal of No Pizza until Thanksgiving, Kitty comes to stay then, and that's what we decided we wanted for our Holiday Dinner.
And SOME sort of MOVING every day. Heck, I have a Horse and a Dog, for Fods sake!
we have wii fit and are cleaning up our apartment to make room to use it again.
i also wake up and read emails and blogs. i used to make he mistake of just reading your blog in the Google reader, but now i know better and read the comment section as well, since that is just as interesting and lively as the blog.
Hee-hee, Vampi, the comments are WAY more interesting than the blog! Fiends have it going ON....
I am off to work. And hopefully tonight I can say I did Something.
Yep, the whole Planning thing is another huge hurdle...my latest attempt at that is freezing single portions of chicken breast or beef or whatever with marinade and then putting it in the fridge for the next day. That way, when I get home there is something thawed that I feel obligated to eat. Plus, with a George Foreman grill or something similar it actually takes less time to cook than it would to have pizza delivered... so far so good, but I'm only on day three :)
I am actualy amazed that you do not have a tattoo already. Covered in kitties! (you could have a nice bee too).
i want a small bat tattoo on one inner wrist and shalom on the other. small and where my watch band r bracelets are, so i know it's there, but not on display for everyone.
alas, i am terrified of needles and afraid the pain on the wrist would be excruciating. i am such a wuss
Feeling like a pudding: yes. I know this feeling. Well put.
I also desire the fitness, and the strength of an ox. I don't move around enough either. I mean, there's walking to the bakery and the Wine Shop, but I'm not sure either really counts for exercise. ;P
I want to Get Bendy again, like I was when I was twelve. I was doing hatha yoga for a while last year-- from a book. I can't stay motivated on self-instructed book yoga. Need a class. I know where I can take them, too-- but it's pretty expensive. So I dunno.
Martyn, I'm with you on the Chest Infection diet -- I've lost a bunch of weight from the coughing fits as well. Not quite the ab workout I had in mind...
Food Planning is insanely hard when you get home and are tired and the couch is calling you.
My way around it has been to spend my Sunday afternoons cooking the food for the week, making a big batch of soup, or stew, or roast, or... hell, just about anything. Then when I get home after being gone for 14 hours, I pop it in the oven or on the stove/microwave to heat up.
I have to work out when I get up. In my pre-coffee stupor, I can't talk myself out of it. I also need to walk or swim when I get home, because my metabolism needs a stupid amount of exercise. It's all good, and I do enjoy it. Most days.
I also set myself the goal of finishing the Camp Pendleton Mud Run this spring. I set this just before I came down with inhalation pneumonia, of course, but I am determined I will get my wind back and learn to scale those freaking walls by June. I'm hoping my cousin, who's a captain in the Corps, will be back from Iraq in time to run it with me.
I'm not so talented at 'planning' food. Good luck with the activities... you certainly do have enough animals that will help you.
I failed at Curves. Finally threw my tag away yesterday actually. I think I prefer to just walk. But then there's that whole single female walking alone at night in the city thing... and me feeling guilty that I'm worry others by doing that. And it's ALWAYS night now because it's winter. Sigh. Oh well. What can you do? Go out into the dark jungle and assume you make it back, I suppose.
I walk to work, so that's 4 miles a day regardless of other exercise. That REALLY helps, and the only allowable exceptions are injury, wind chill below -5F, or the need to be at work ridiculously early. I'm pretty obsessive about it - I had minor surgery last year and walked to work the next day, much to Nick's dismay.
Walking isn't enough - no flexibility, no upper body strength - but I've been a slacker about other forms of exercise lately. The bellydance teacher quit having advanced classes, and intermediate is at an inconvenient time. I also like yoga, but forget to do it.
As for food, Nick does nearly all of the cooking, which has good and bad points. I'd eat a lot more healthily if I were cooking for myself, but then experience suggests I wouldn't be cooking. So it's probably a wash.
I actually remember a discussion going on where Lorraine was telling you, Kristina, how you should plan food so you could make more time for yourself and the things you like doing...
And right now I have a silly cat who thinks that white hairs on my fuchsia sweater is the cat' meow (in short, she want a cuddle, some food and thinks I am spending way too much time on the computer and demosntrating her point by chewing the cord).
Hannah is from Chicago, she IS the MIDWEST.
we will discuss VERY carefully your tattoo, this is serious. I am bringing you some fake ones to test spots, so you don't "change your mind"...
S-law, i love that you are amazed about Q's lack of permanent marks, but i will say again, they are only for those that can COMMIT. it is a lifetime commitment, and even lasers won't erase all evidence. so choose wisely...i know of what i speak.
ok to PIZZA, but i will Make it myself for YOU.
you will be enchanted.
this is a promise.
Martyn, the bike works extra well, and sickness will do the trick, but i have found, the ONLY surefire DIET?
the break-up diet. guaranteed to lose twenty pounds..that said: me am so happy, not breaking up to fit better in my jeans...my guy is a keeper.
signed luckiest kitten in universe.
ps it is my Mom's birthday, and i did a little bday blog for her....
Congratulations on finally deciding on a tattoo!
I am very much a walker, love roaming the neighborhood like a phantom, and thus absolutely hate wintertime (although I wasn't able to take any walks this autumn anyway because I broke my toe). Yoga is a good option but I've found it hard to discipline myself with yoga (since it's not as immediately gratifying as some other forms of exercise -- sometimes I just need that feeling of having worked my body hard). I like push-ups.
I'm not really allowed to do much exercise post-hospitalization, though. I'm getting itchy to move.
~Emily
Yes, I recall that discussion... any my promise to walk more... and the reasons why it was a good idea... and ideas for good motivation for me to do that.
I remember it clearly.
The days are darker now and the motivation seems far away. And when I walk I always want to just keep on walking and not come back... see just how far I can walk until my legs stop and I lay down and let the frost do its work. It is very tempting, especially on the railway tracks... with their ties rolling on into the distance surrounded by quiet spindly trees and tarnished buildings.
Emily, sorry to hear about your autumn mishaps. I hope you are able to get out there and active again soon.
Happy Bday to Kitty's Mom! And congrats, Lorraine on new commitment to Fit and Tattoo, and Kitty is the best to help decide, hers are absolutely beautiful. I have never been able to decide on them, I think many are lovely, some of my students have nice ones, but hesitant on how to find a good artist, just don't know much about the artform. On fit, tho, I do ok, dance twice a week - and irish step is really vigorous, run, and work out with weights, walk and bikeride, play wii fit. I am religous about it as it helps keep my spirits up during the dark months. my job is extremely active too, i have never been one to be able to sit still for long. diet however, don't cook much, tend to grab whatever, unless the kids are home. i adore junk food i'm ashamed to admit, and ugh, love french fries for dinner. not the healthiest. We should all embark on a life enhancing change program - fiends unite!
Okay, I'm getting on my soapbox:
Don't let fear stop you from living!
Over the last couple of weeks, I keep seeing Fiend after Fiend posting about how they wish they would've done X, or were able to do Y, but they're too old/out of shape/tired/afraid/untalented/have to powder the cat instead. That is such utter bullshit. I know that complaining and being self-deprecating's a way to bond with people. I know it's hard to walk that line between being proud of your accomplishments, and stuck-up. No one wants to look like they're bragging, or like a jerk.
But dude. This is getting to be lame.
The great thing about us Fiends is our support for each other. However, agreeing that another Fiend is too something to do what they want? That's not true support, and I'm not going to play that game.
I will, however, encourage you to take your own power back. Stop giving it over to fear and your negative ego. You are here for a reason, and you have been given gifts, and the power to use them to make your life one of service and beauty.
So let's support each other in THAT, yes?
CX
That was perfectly lugubrious, Kristina. I fear for you.
I love tattoos - when they are nice - I find them fascinating but I don't think I could find one I could commit to for the rest of my life. My mood changes a lot, so better temporary tattoos.
Have you guys read "Until I find you" by John Irving? The story takesplace in the world of tattoo parlours in the world and it's fascinating.
I got really good at treadmilling (i bought one when i was trying to get pregnant with ben) when i was listening to the graveyard book audiobook. And also Charmed Life (i'm in the middle of the chrestomanci series). But haven't gotten on teh treadmill since i finished those.
I got a bike that i can ride even though my wrists are hosed and have been riding on the weekends but haven't gotten on it on weekdays yet. I need to get a bike lock so i can ride to the store and stuff.
Tattoo--very important decision. I have one on my foot, under my ankle, it's a peace sign over the earth. I still love it but love that i can hide it very very easily. It hurt, i have no desire to get another (usually) but I'm glad i got the one.
Well said Val :)
Hey there Miss Spectacular, I've been checking out the blog, as you've asked. It's great!
I am oh-so-familiar with "winter = gross" syndrome myself, and I have to say that excercise really does help. Personally, I love the crap out of Yoga, but not everyone does.
I'm sure riding in and of itself will help a lot, too! You've found such a pretty friend to work with, makes it easy to keep your spirits high.
Anyway, thanks again for all your fabulousness on Saturday. I hope your neck feels better and know that Kat's offer of dinner extends to me as well! Let us know when you're in town.
-Ellyn
What Val said. Don't wish. Do.
And happy birthday Kitty's mom.
Now for the unfairly selfish bit of this particular comment, which I hope you'll all forgive: my grandmother died about twenty minutes ago, very suddenly (though peacefully, I'm told). I just found out. I'm okay-- I think. Just rattled. Mainly I needed to say it to someone else (or many someones in this case), as I'm not sure I'll really believe it till I have said it.
Thanks. Now: distract me! Think I need distracting.
Jess, I'm sorry for your loss. Were you and your grandmother close?
Yikes, Jess! I'm sorry to hear that. There's something to be said for peaceful and sudden, though it doesn't leave any time for goodbyes. Still, sudden can be very hard to encompass.
Lugubrious: doleful, dolorous, mournful, plaintive, rueful, sad, woebegone, woeful, bleak, depressing, dismal, dour.
Hmmm.. had to look that one up since my brain wasn't working when I read that.
I been hangin' on the railway tracks
I been hangin' in the dark
With the owls and rats and skunks
The tracks are kinda lonely
But it's better than the empty lot
The forest lot is empty
But for bums and ghosts
And angry city trees
And broken creeks
And rotting stumps
I been hangin' on the railway tracks
I been hangin' in the dark
I wanna walk until my legs don't work
I wanna walk until the sun comes up.
I'm sorry Jess. That's hard.
Makes me glad I went to the nursing home the other week. We weren't close, no. But. Well. You know.
Thanks, you guys. I'm sorry-- it's very unfair of me to dump on all of you like that.
Awww... Hugs.
kitties
Yeah, Bjork cats! That's more like it.
There's no dumping here... there's just sharing... and speaking as someone who is on here more than I should be... I don't think anyone thinks of this kind of stuff as 'dumping'.. and personally I'm kinda honoured you are willing to share your grief and your personal moments with us. I think we, on this blog, WANT to be there for each other when one of us is going through something.
I know I wish there was more I could do for the lovely folks who post on here. I wish I could say something to make you feel better. I wish I could say something to ease the pain. I know that I can't really because I don't know you, really, and because NOTHING can make something like this better.. but please know we are here for you.
Music, maybe?
Thanks, Rubius.
Like your poem, by the way. :)
Thanks Jess,
Let's see...distractions... Jess, have you been to Lisa Snelling's forum? She has an interesting (and distracting) new collaboration arty type project going. I think the artsy folks on here could be of good help over there.
It is about balancing your creative and mundane life. We have a lot of input on that that could be spread to her forum. Check it out. There's a link at the top right corner of her blog... but her blog is about it too. link is here
Jess - very sorry for your loss, I went through a similar thing a few years ago...it was kind of unbalancing, having to re-do my mental family tree like that.
And it's true, there is no dumping here, just sharing and support and a large enough pool of people that chances are good that someone can relate to what is being said plus there must be power in the good wishes of lots of folks.
I'm so sorry Jess..
Distraction?
Val, you give the best pep talks:)
Jess, very sorry, and sending hugs.
Kitty, Hannah it is! Doesn't surprise me she is from the Midwest, not at all. Yes, please bring me ideas, and we will expierment, you are the Queen here, I have wanted one for SO long, but was never ready to commit to something, and now I am there. And I am SO excited about this.
Spacelaw, I give great advice to people, ALL the time, now if I APPLIED the advice to myself, I would be in business.
Val, way to kick BUTT, Dude!
I had to go to Minneapolis this morning on an errand, and what is UP with that town??? There are no longer roads that are not under destruction....
Ack. I am taking the dog out for 20 minutes, to further this whole Fit thing...
And oh, the Chest Infection diet and break up diet are out. Not getting sick. Or dating anyone.
so sorry for your loss, Jess, it's always a bit rattling and mindnumbing to go thru. yes, val, well said! hope you are feeling better too, and everyone else who has had the coughing crud.
And oh yet again! Hi El (you will always be Hands to me) and welcome! I thought you might like it here.
El spent much time at a Soiree the other night, (that I was not enjoying due to one of those weird neck things where you can't turn your head) fixing my neck. Lovely thing to do for someone you only just met.
Very decent thing to do. I saw you were playing the violin and doing so in the cold when it huts can't be a pleasure.
It was her fixing hands that made it POSSIBLE to play in the cold. Fun tho, if painful.
My thoughts with you Jess. Close or not close it is still an intense experience to loss someone.
Val -- we should not get stuck by our fears, for sure!
Sometimes it is good to acknowledge them though. For me anyway.
I often mistake fear for other things. Moving forward, for me, often has to start with noticing the fear.
"Oh yeah... Fear... now I see you, you old trickster. You do scare me, but experience tells me I can get past you."
It helps me to know that I am not the only one who gets caught in this trap now and then.
And to be honest, some days Fear wins. To celebrate he invites his friends Shame and Blame along and they have a right fine party in my soul. I, personally, have not succeeded in banishing them completely from my inner queendom -- but I have come a long way in seeing them for what they are.
Guess that was my soapbox moment. Hee.
Herm....the paradigm post.
Jess: warm hugs with cat paws. I miss both my grams as well; a peaceful passing is no doubt a gift but doesn't make YOUR missing piece any smaller..
Val:
You ROCK. That is all.
Jess - I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma. You guys were all very supportive of me when I lost my grandpa a few weeks ago, coming here for support should never be thought of as "dumping" anything on anyone.
It's funny when I talk about you guys now, I'll say "my friend so and so" referring to one of you and then I'll have to explain that I've never actually met any of you before which is still weird to people even in this Internet age. But we'll all meet in June right?! :)
Thanks for the internets hugs, everybody. It helps.
You're Good Eggs, every one of you.
A funny: my workshoppers are petitioning me for coffee tonight, because it's so cold. One of them threatened to bring her machine in. Heh. :)
How bad can it be, when there's coffee at the end of your journey? Even if you know you'll be the one to make it?
Sounds deep, but isn't!
Yeah!
Coffee at the end
of a journey often sends
weariness packing.
How about cupcakes, Jess?
No cupcakes will shrink
the saddlebags under my eyes
or cure me of the shakes.
Teabags......I think you can use teabags for baggie eyes :)
Depends on what you put in the dough, really...
Eeew, wet teabags! I've tried cucumber before. Not only does cucumber not work-- it stings!
Huh...wouldn't have thought of cucumbers as vicious....but ya never know.
Cupcakes are a much better idea!
Jess, I'm so sorry about your grandmother. Good for her that she went peacefully, nice thought to hang on to although it doesn't make the loss any easier to bear.
Val - you are so right.
Chantrelle, I do the same thing talking about my friends here. Oh god, I hope I can get to the US in June. It would be awesome, time with Fiends up north, and then south to an LJ friend in Fort Worth TX...I CAN dream and plan.
Aleta, Fear,Shame and Blame - yup.
sally - we may be on your continent in January or February. We'd be in Sydney though. Hubby has to go there for work and we'll probably go along this time...i love it there! We haven't been to Melbourne yet but would like to make it a sidetrip sometime--maybe this trip?
OMG Chantrelle, that would just be brilliant
Jess, if condolences from an internet stranger do anything, know that you have my sympathies.
I'm glad to hear I helped, Lorraine. :) I just dropped Dana off at the airport, she sends her love.
I'm curious about this tattoo you mentioned-- have you decided where/what size/ any of that business?
There is a fascinating mix of people here! It's been interesting reading everyone's responses.
dread Val, i liked your soapbox, but "powder the cat" sounds a bit naughty.
I agree with EL on the mix of people. it's pretty awesome to read through the reponses all day. i've been chatting, blogging, irc'ing for what i think is a long time (since 1994), and using the same name. i have many "friends" online that i love just as dearly as friends i see everyday in person. I was blessed to be able to meet some when i went to london for a job interview, and it the best 2 nights i've had out ever. I may be somewhat new here, but i think a fiend meet would be stellar. The the various talents and backgrounds would make for a great time.
Jess, i'm sorry for your loss. http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/ these games are cute, well animated, and have wonderful musics. they never fail to make me smile. *snugs* You are in my thoughts.
Aleta, liked your soapbox moment...
Yes, Chantrelle, we will meet in June, when once again there is daylight!! I know what you mean tho, it's even weirder when you slip and say "One of my Fiends said..."
Vampi, you aren't new anymore, not once you de-lurk, you're a one of us.
Glad you like it here L, speaking of being one of us, it IS an interesting group, and someone always has the right thing to say, for just about anything...
And oh, no I don't know where or how on the tattoo yet, Kitty is coming next week and we are going to try some temp tats out and see what works best...
I am SO excited about this!
Vampi, if I wrote something that sounded even remotely naughty -- chances are quite good that it was. ;)
Dan, I think you need to tell us EXACTLY how worried we should be....
Oh, there's nothing to fear. Beyond the usual Bee-Bengal Alliance, orbital mind control satellites, and lunar planet-splitting lasers. I've already said too much.
Oh, ok, if that's all.
If you have said to much, will we have to die?
Very intriguing Dan!
I still want to know if we must now die, have kind of a personal interest here and the Begals are pacing.....
I also hope we won't have to be killed. Or at least I hope I get to live long enough to see the Amanda Palmer gig.
Vampi - I almost forgot about that site! Haven't messed with it in aaaages. There was one with ducks, as I recall, which particularly appealed to my inner three-year-old. Can't go wrong with little ducks. :)
El - Know this stranger is grateful. Thank you. (That goes for the rest of you, as well.)
There are no Strangers here, only Fiends!
I don't get to see Amanda. May as well be killed.
Did a new post for you, two in one day! Blogging Fool I am....
Who she wonders, will be first...And to ignore my warning and snort tea, some of it is pretty funny...
Jess; I'm sorry about your grandma. So much history gets lost.
Q: did I miss (or fall asleep) when you said what your tatt will be?
Val; I have a treadmill; got it for my 39th birthday; went from a 14 to a 6 in 18 months. Sadly; in the last couple years; I'm back up to a 10 and it's my own damn; pathetic lazy ass fault! I totally cop to that. I just wish I could find the motivation I need to do it again. Losing weight is frickkin hard! And it must be said; done with excersize and diet.
Nooooo. Lorraine you must come out to see Amanda!
Nooo indeed Aleta, I must do my own show...Already booked. Happens a lot when one is a working musicison, sad to say...
Stacy, I want a tat of Freaky Venus. Bengals and rescue have been the most important thing I have done this year, and that's what I want.
Jess, I'm very sorry for your loss. I hope the Fiendish distractions have eased your day a bit.
Val, you inspire both new resolve and laughter. Though I did think, "What if the cat really *does* need to be powdered?"
Q, congrats on the tattoo decision and best of luck with the process of figuring out the details.
Off to read the new one...
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