Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Treadmill Progression - and a couple other things

This decade sucks
So - I've been hanging out in the 190s for three months now.  I'm tired of being here.  I've toured all I can tour.  I go up, I go down - but always within this little range.  I'm bored now.  Let's move on, shall we?

BOOBs II
I'm so freaking excited I can't stand myself.  I am looking forward to meeting each and every one of you!  Anyone for a cocktail????  I'm ready!!

The Treadmill Progression
I'm working my way back up the exercise mountain.  I don't know about any of you, but I can tell how I'm doing by how I pass the time while on the treadmill.  Stage one: Reading a book- while in this stage I can read a book.  It's not the easist thing in the world to read, but I can do it and I totally get caught up and all of a sudden it's 30 or 40 minutes in.  I am walking at a brisk pace, but it's not really taxing me yet - but my body and mind are getting used to the time and effort and routine - I've passed this stage and moved onto the next. 

Stage two: Good drama.  I can't read anymore, though I still really want to - so sometimes I'll still try and end up getting seasick.  Can you get treadmill sick?  In this stage I watch an hour long drama that I like.  I used to be able to FF through the commercials and I'd end up with a 45 min workout by the time the credits rolled.  But we just switched to Fios and if I'm watching "on demand" which is cool to be able to do, I can't FF, but the commercials are shorter - so it ends up at about 50 min.  Right now, I'm catching up on Castle and will then likely move on to Bones.  This is the stage I'm on now.  I'm still walking, but at a fast pace, and I'm sweating and I'm thinking about adding in intervals of running, though I'm not ready for that yet.

Stage 3 - bad drama.  The time committment is the same, though sometimes I'll add to it - but I am putting forth too much effort to really catch every nuance in a drama that I really enjoy; you know, the byplay between Castle and Becket - a raised eyebrow, a stare - that kind of thing.  So I switch to dramas that I don't like as much.  Where I don't have to pay constant attention to still get the drift of what's going on.  I'm almost here, so I'll be switching to Haiwaii 5-0 soon or maybe CSI - they both fill this niche for me.

Stage 4 - Realty TV.  I'm doing intervals of running and I'm sweating like a pig and barely hanging on to life as I know it - but it feels amazing.  There's no way I can concentrate on a drama.  I'll miss whole segments and then I'm lost and annoyed.  So I switch to Reality TV.  I love American Idle, Project Runway, and So You Think You Can Dance so between those and all the many, many other choices that just don't take any brain power - I'm totally set for this place.

It was really nice when I moved to the "Dramas I like" stage.  It reminded me in this concrete way - this is a journey - I'll get there; both to stage 4 and also out of this frickin' decade.

11 comments:

Shannon said...

lol I love the progression. I am pretty much the same way.

Stephanie M. said...

I can't wait to meet you! I know I'm having an amazing workout when I hit stage 5 - can't even look at the TV and can only listen to music. ;-)

Barbara said...

That is really interesting.. I usually put on House Series(dvd) and that gets me through a pretty good session.. Yes I too am excited about BOOBs.. and yeah I agree with forgetting the 90's they were sooooo well the 90's!!! hang in there.. the 80's will be there soon

♥ Drazil ♥ said...

OH MY FRICK - you love Castle and Beckett too!!!! My girls run around the house with their fake gun telling me to put my hands up while they wear my high heels.

Cannot wait to squeeze you! (like a hug you know)

Susan said...

Love this post! I have to watch mindless TV like the Today show, the View, Rachael Ray or a soap opera or reruns of Sex and the City and at the same time blast my music. I have my motivating songs mostly Gaga and Black Eyed Peas, J Lo, Dynamite and then sometimes I switch to 70's disco.

Bonnie said...

A cocktail? You've met me so you know there will be numerous. Do you like to dance? Last time a few girls and I went out dancing and it was so much fun. I love your treadmill staging. I had an eliptical in my basement until it broke a year ago. I really miss it. We've been trying to get it fixed, but the company it's from is out of business and we can't find the part. I'm really bummed, but I have been going to the gym.

Rachel said...

You are a good writer...I think you can write a Girlfriend's Guide to the Band. With an appendix of Mother In Law Tales.

Beth Ann said...

This would be my first BOOBS, so I'm excited and very nervous! :) I love the progression you talk about. I can only listen to music. I tried reading on my iPad, but I get the "treadmill sick". Enjoy your workouts!!

~Lisa~ said...

Great progression! Thanks for the tip!! Now to find some good dvd's....

Banded Mommy (Angie) said...

I love Rachel's idea! I cannot wait for BOOBS too! As far as the progression...I love it. :)

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