Tale of the Scale: 2/2/08

Another week, with less weight!

No, not less weight on me, I'm still stable. We've discovered a rather dramatic muscle weakness/imbalance between my right/left leg that we're working on. And until I can use more weight with my left leg, I'm doing one legged exercises with very light weights.

This imbalance (and the subsequent pain/ muscle tightness)goes pretty far to explain my back pain, leg pain on the left side. Getting this addressed will be a major step forward for me. We didn't discover this problem earlier in our sessions because my core was so unstable and weak overall that we never tried one sided strength exercises on my legs before. We've done them for several months with my shoulders.. and the results have been dramatic. Here's hoping for the same results in a different body part.

I've also been told to change up my workout for a while:

1. only come into the gym 3 days a week. Getting lots of time to rest and heal and not over train my body. I'm not sure I agree with this and will see if I can get a full body workout plus balance and flexibility work this schedule. I know it is not wise to ignore the advise of one's trainer, but I grew to really cherish my 4 days in the gym.

That, and I don't pay for hot water for the showers there!

2. Oddly. Do the same cardio machine for 2 weeks, then change to a different one for two weeks, then change to another. Always getting two weeks on one item. I've been changing up every time I'm in there: one day hill routine on treadmill, next time speed and endurance on the elliptical, next time intervals on the crosstrack. Shoot. The lines for the cardio machines had better start getting shorter soon (the January resolution crowd is packing those machines even at 11 am!) or I will be touch and go about getting a machine of my choosing.

3. Go to less weight and work much slower, concentrating on perfect form and often challenging the whole body. Like slow food and slow craft, this is a change to slow movement. I found the workout as challenging as higher weights and faster movement, so we'll see what the results are on my body: less post-exercise soreness? less strain on soft tissue (tendons and ligaments)? more overall stability?

I also blog at: A Stitch In Time throughout the week and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.

Zodiac-whacky, the February edition

I'm continuing to mourn that Laurie at Crazy Aunt Purl has stopped her funny horroscopes. While she is still funny enough to make to cry, those darned horoscopes were the reason I started reading her to begin with. And she, like me, is a crabby-crab.

I have two other astrologers who send me their wisdom now. The first is Phyllis Firak-Mitz who Laurie used for a while as her surrogate. Not bad as an astrologer, but not nearly as funny.

I was struck this month with the quote she used to introduce Cancer:

Cancers recognize the potential inherent in situations...they “sense” opportunities that might be quite subtle or hidden. Cancer’s sensitivity gives them an alliance with women. It gives them the edge in female-related businesses.” P.110

She went to tell me:

RELATIONSHIPS are where the action is for you all through 2008, this February included. Lucky Jupiter and Magnetic Venus are working on your behalf to draw fascinating and life-changing people into your sphere. You can move into new circles now, Cancer, ones that expose you to a bigger, more impressive world than you’re used to. These planets can also take your current relationships to the next level.

If you want to get engaged, married, or simply connect with an outstanding business partner this could be your year! That said, this could also be the year that you finally have the gumption to dump a relationship that just doesn’t work, even if it means bringing legal proceedings. Whatever your destiny holds, shifts in partnerships are part of it.

Now Phyllis is nice and all, but KT, the astrologer at BlogHer doesn't do a monthly prediction. She gives a look at the year and a daily. Let's see if there is anything key in the year for February:

Regarding money matters, three separate eclipses in February and August will affect your finances. Don't worry! This doesn't mean you'll lose all your cash and valuables, but it does indicate that your concern for these resources will peak at these times. Given your emotional nature, these months could be quite a roller coaster ride. Make it a point not to act in a panic. Wait until you're calm and your usual shrewd perspective returns.

Great! The market is on a roller-coaster ride.. no wonder I'm concerned about my finances. I will not panic and sell off all my stocks...

I also blog at: A Stitch In Time throughout the week and BlogHer on Mondays and Saturdays.