Fit for the Queens

Again

2010-09-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

Today, I walked 3.6 miles, made a friend, and actually remembered to stretch afterward! I was definitely more tired heading up the hill than I was yesterday. This just means I really need to do this more frequently. I won't be able to do it tomorrow, since I have a final at 8am, but I'll be back at it again on Friday. Maybe we'll even go hiking on Saturday.

Let's Start Over

2010-08-31T19:24:00.000-07:00

Today, I walked nearly 4 miles. I walked the kids to school (while carrying two reams of paper!) and chatted with a friend, and then headed out. I walked along the mountain and back, about 3 miles, and then headed up the hill toward home through the back way. Up the hill is no understatement. It's 0.4 miles with an elevation change of 200 feet. Not easy. But, I did it! And then I forgot to stretch because Aaron started talking to me when I got home. So, I'll be paying for it tomorrow. Ugh.

And, I made homemade bread on Sunday. Hand-kneaded, even. I think it's probably not a good sign that my abs still hurt. I partly blame in on my countertops. They are too high for me, so I have to get up on my toes to get enough downward force to actually knead the bread. No, my countertops are not raised. I'm just not very tall.

All in all, I want to start getting fit again. I know Miss L is well on her way, and it's inspiring. I know she's not had it super easy, but that's okay. She's still going. Go, Miss L!

Walking to Tybee

2009-11-07T16:31:00.001-08:00

I set up a googledoc spreadsheet where we can all input data. We can still learn about the places we visit on here, but I think the spreadsheet will be easier to keep track of everything. So, we have gone 37.6 miles so far.

This gets us to Claremont, California. My mother lived here from 1962-1967, while my grandfather owned and operated a Linkletter-Totten Dance Studio in nearby Pomona. Claremont is home to the "Claremont Colleges:" Claremont-McKenna, Pomona College, Scripps Women's College, Harvey Mudd University, and Pitzer College for undergraduates, while Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute serve those already with Bachelor's degrees.

Let's keep moving! We have 34 weeks remaining, and 2400 miles (out of 2438) to go. That means we need to walk 70.5 miles a week as a group, or 7.8 miles per week per adult. We can totally do that! Go, Pabsts! GO!

We walked...

2009-10-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

and walked, and walked, and walked, at least according to the boys! Last night, we managed to go out walking, and went around two big blocks. I google-earthed the distance, and we walked 2.25 miles! So, for all four of us, that's 9 miles to Tybee Island. If you add in my one from last week, that's 10 miles closer! Only 2429 miles left! How much have the rest of you contributed so far?

And, since we are learning about the areas we pass through, I'll tell you a little bit about the Rose Bowl. It is used by UCLA for all their home games, even though it is quite far from campus. The bowl game called the Rose Bowl traditionally hosts the PAC 10 champion and the Big 10 champion on January 1st, unless one of those teams is in the NCAA championship game, and then it is by invitation. This is why Texas played USC here a few years ago. And Texas won! The parade is always held in the morning, except on Sundays, when it would interrupt the numerous churches that line the parade route.

Pedometers?

2009-10-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

Does anyone have their pedometers yet? I do not, as I have NO spare minutes during the week! Teaching two different classes, in addition to my other responsibilities will do that to you. So, I think I will only claim one mile, even though I'm sure I did more than that. If you have yours, it's time to report your miles! The more you do, the more you'll feel like this:

A.J. after his first home run!

A New Challenge!

2009-10-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

Next June, we'll be spending a week at Tybee Island, in Georgia, along with all of Aaron's family! So, his oldest sister Brenda suggested that we "walk" there. Not use it as a mode of transportation, but as motivation. We'll get pedometers and chart our combined distance every week. I told her that this blog would be a great place to do that. So, if you ladies would like to join us, you are welcome to walk all the way to Tybee Island with the Pabst family. It's 2400 miles from Los Angeles to Tybee, and 850 from St. Louis. So, are you up for it? When we're all done, you will also deserve a little vacation, or at the very least an awesome date night.

It's Friday!

2009-10-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

So, I walked A.J. to school this morning. And I did it Tuesday morning, too! That's pretty good for me. It's not all that far, only about 5 blocks, but on the way back it's straight up the mountain. That's why we only walk to school, and not home from school. A.J. might not make it with a backpack on!

Miss L, are you ready for your walk next week? Keep up your training!

And Jessica, taking time for you is really important. I need to remember that myself this quarter. I haven't been in your footsteps, and don't even know what they are, but I want to support you, too. So, keep trying with the exercising. Maybe throw in a short nap if you can to help ward off the exhaustion. Good luck!

Let's go us!

5K in October

2009-10-04T20:23:00.001-07:00

So, I should have mentioned this earlier, I guess, but I'm signed up for the 5K here in KC on Saturday, Oct 17 (Wadell and Reed Marathon/5K). I've decided I'm NOT going to run it, but I'm participating! Yay!

Just wanted to keep you updated. :)

Keep on movin' friends! :)

not much to say this Friday...

2009-09-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

but I am going to blame my lack of exercise on the smoke from the fires. The smoke was so bad, and for so long! I am still hacking up pieces of lung, and the smoke pretty much cleared last Saturday. So, I didn't really exercise. Except for today. I scrubbed the bathrooms today. And after NINE visitors here for three nights, I think that probably counts as exercise! What have you all been doing? I've heard the weather's been great!

And, as inspiration for next week, here's a shot of the road I used at the research station in Canada.

It's much better than the beginning of the West Coast Trail, which we didn't do!

and three weeks later, it's Friday again!

2009-08-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have been long absent. But, I was on a road trip. To Canada. And had no access to internet for many days. So, I'm now back to the world of the connected, and am wondering what you have been up to while I was away. I did a lot of hiking, a lot of difficult work before dawn, many, many steep hills just walking where I needed to go, and a little kayaking. And dozens of hours of driving. I haven't weighed myself, but I'm pretty sure all those hills had at least a little impact. At least, I really hope they did. Now, report!

Friday again! (And to think I almost missed it!)

2009-08-07T23:30:00.000-07:00

So, it's Friday, and I have 30 minutes to get this posted before it's not Friday anymore. First, let me say thank you to Jessica for reminding us (oh, so gently) to get back on the horse and help each other more. This week, I planted a garden. That should be enough, right there. The "grass" that they have here in sunny California is not actually grass. It is some kind of monster-plant that imitates grass on the surface, but has NASTY roots that are all interconnected and a giant mess. There is a reason our garden is only 4x6 feet. We had to use an axe. On the grass. Chopped it into squares, and then I lifted while Aaron hacked at the roots. Oh. My. Goodness. It was not supposed to be that hard. But, we did it! And now I'll have tomatoes and zucchini in the fall. The rest of my workouts this week also centered around the garden. Weeding, watering, picking out rocks, etc. And Levi and I took a walk. Not fast, but I got a little sweaty going uphill, so I'll count it. Whew. What did you ladies do this week?

'Tis Friday!

2009-07-31T12:30:00.000-07:00

Hooray! It's Friday! Now, let's report on our week. I swam laps during Levi's swim lessons on Tuesday and Thursday. Is it bad that I get a thorough workout (heart rate ~160bpm) during only a 20 minute swim? 5 minutes of which are using a kickboard? Ugh. Someday my cardiovascular fitness will improve. I just don't know when. Also, I restacked the wood pile. Some former owner/resident had done the most pathetic job I've ever seen. Just tossed them all in a pile, not stacking at all. So, Wednesday and Thursday I restacked wood, swept underneath, and cut some of it with a sawzall. Some of it needs to be split, but we'll save that for when I can find the hatchet. As an encore, Levi (who had been directing and encouraging me while I was stacking) used the pile as a drum set. Start with the cowbell (1..2..1,2,3,4) and finish with the cymbal. Hopefully the video will be on the blog soon, so stop by and check it out. It is certainly a flourishing way to cap off a workout. You should try it sometime. What did you do this week?

Friday, Already?

2009-07-24T05:44:00.000-07:00

Has the week flown by for you? Wow, I can't say I did as well on the exercise front as I did the last couple of weeks, but I had a packed week filled with adventure! Mother Nature had come a calling, and I got my first mammogram. Hopefully just a baseline. But, things are getting back on track today, as I am ready to do do my cardio! How did you guys do?

This cartoon cracks me up... hope it gives you a good laugh too!

Okay, It's Friday!!!

2009-07-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

I believe that both of you Ladies are going to the Y regularly. I would love to hear how it's going? Do you like going? Do you go to different Aerobic classes, Lift weights or just do Cardio?
I started the Biggest Loser Workouts this last Saturday and have done either the Cardio. or the Sculpt everyday, but yesterday (finishing a root canal was enough). But, right after this post, I'm off to do it for today!
I weighed myself the other day, and even though I am 6 lbs less than at the beginning of the year, going in the right direction, I'm hoping with more working out I can start to feel more of a difference. So, instead of a large goal. I am setting a small one. I would like to loose five more pounds! I would set a date, but I've noticed that I'm gaining some much needed muscle. I thought it would be good to have a goal, and record it to see how much time it takes for me to accomplish the goal.
Miss L, are you still planning to walk in the 5K? If so, I would like to sign-up. There will most likely be no running from me, but a good walk would be good! Do you have the details?
And, Lastly... are you gals eating differently? I've cut back, but am thinking about how to take it to the next level. Any ideas?

Mix-it-up Monday

2009-06-22T15:58:00.001-07:00

Time to try something new. Today, I did a pre-dawn workout of rock-scrambling, carrying heavy things, and getting on and off a rocking boat. What new thing will you try today? :)

Yes, it's Friday

2009-06-19T18:54:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. I got out of the habit of posting, and then things got sort of crazy around here, and I didn't post for a while. BUT, Miss L and Jessica, you are authors, and can post, too! So, help me out a little when I'm a slacker, yea? :)

So, it's Friday, the first I've managed to post about in a while. I have walked a couple of times in our new neighborhood, but haven't found it as interesting as our old one. It's just one long road, with one long hill, rather than the twists and turns of the old one. I'll keep trying new routes, though. I also did a lot of work while moving, and that certainly burned off lots of calories! How about you all?

Wednesday workout?

2009-06-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know, the blog has been neglected. But we have no internet at home yet, so I can only be online at school, and I don't have huge amounts of time. We'll report on the last two weeks this coming Friday, so my only thought today is "Go do something. Gardening, pushing your kids on the swings, swimming, anything! Just go get yourself moving today!"

Mix-it-up Monday

2009-05-26T22:57:00.000-07:00

I know. It's Tuesday. But, yesterday was a holiday, so today feels like Monday. And, I was in a parade and moved an SUV load of boxes yesterday. No time for this post. Therefore, you get it today.

This week, I will likely not walk much, meaning I won't say to myself, "Wow, what a lovely day. I think I'll go for a walk." I will, however, be traipsing up and down the stairs carrying heavy loads repeatedly. So, for your Mix-it-up Monday advice, see what bit of housework that is a little out of the ordinary needs to be done. And do it! Count it as one of your workouts (as long as it's not filing papers or something, because that doesn't count.) Instead of seeing it as housework, or as exercise, say, "Hey, I'm killing two birds with one stone! Exercise and accomplishment! What a great day!"

Tell me what you come up with!

p.s. a good idea is moving the fridge or stove and cleaning under it. especially if you move it yourself!

It's Friday!

2009-05-22T21:55:00.001-07:00

I'm a little late, but it's finally Friday!!! Hooray! So, that also means it's time to report on how you did this week. On Tuesday, I had a schedule change, and so did not get to walk, but I still did a little bit of weights. It wasn't enough, as I was pretty tired and crabby later. So, on Thursday, even though I was quite busy again, I made sure to get at least a little walking in. I walked for about 30 minutes, with fewer hills on this route. And then I finished off with some more weights. That worked a little better for my mood. How did you do this week?

Try-again Tuesday?

2009-05-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I do not feel like a queen.
I do not even feel like a handmaiden.
I feel like a chamber maid...you know, the ones that empty the chamber pots.

I had an extra busy day today, proctoring a test, and running some errands across town. So, I knew I wouldn't have a chance to walk, and did a little bit of arm work instead. I don't think it was enough.

Walking makes me feel good, even if it makes parts of me hurt. The lack of walking makes me crabby. I think today was good motivation to make me walk on Thursday. I'll try again. You should, too.

Reports Due!

2009-05-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

How'd you do this week? I did okay. I went to the beach on Saturday, and keeping a very active four-year-old from killing himself was a serious workout. Then, Tuesday and Thursday I walked for about 35-40 minutes, up and down the hills near our house. Afterwards, I added a little weight. We have a machine that's a knock-off of the Tota1 Gym that Chuck N0rris sells, so I worked on my arms. Because Heaven knows that's probably the most out of shape spot. Tell me how you did!

Try-again Tuesday!

2009-05-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

Good morning! It's Tuesday, and here in California, it's beautiful outside. So, I'm headed out for my morning walk. How about you? What are your plans for exercising your fabulous body today? Get outside and enjoy yourself!

Reports Due!

2009-05-08T22:13:00.000-07:00

Please post your walking reports for the week! I actually walked twice this week. Even though it was hot. Even though I was up ridiculously late Wednesday night. I managed to walk for about 40 minutes, up and down some serious hills (not like Kansan hills) on both Tuesday and Thursday. Yeah me! How bout you?

Mix-it-up Monday

2009-05-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd try something new. On Mondays (some Mondays, but probably not all Mondays) I will give you a suggestion for how to change up the routine. This week, I saw an article in R3aders' D1gest about adding weight training to your aerobic workouts. One study showed that people who did weight training instead of two aerobic workouts per week (this is assuming 5 workouts per week...we'll get there!) lost more weight and had better overall fitness than those who stuck with their five aerobic workouts. So, I suggest that you try to add some weights (kids count!) or resistance to your walking this week. Lift those kids a little higher. Play airplane with them (lie on your back, benchpress style, and lift them up and zoom them around.) Or use the groceries as weights while you walk them from your car to the kitchen. Find some way to add weight to your day, and you'll be more likely to lose it from your waist!

Friday report time!

2009-05-01T22:03:00.000-07:00

Hello! Please turn in your reports for the week. My workout was perhaps a bit unconventional this week. Saturday and Sunday I did some field work on Catalina Island (just off the coast here.) This involves heavy lifting, getting to our field site via boat, and getting off the boat without dropping anything or falling into the ocean. This is always interesting, but especially so with new students who are unfamiliar with what it takes to work here. Combine that with high seas (4 foot swells) and before dawn work times, and I'm surprised no one got hurt or soaked. Then I walked to Levi's doctor's appointments this week. The doctor is just up the street from his school, so we parked at school and walked. And, the best workout...shopping all day on Tuesday. Well, maybe not the best, but certainly my favorite! What did you do this week?

Reports Due!

2009-04-24T11:31:00.001-07:00

Please put your walking report in the comments! And have a great weekend!

Try-again Tuesday!

2009-04-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

Ugh. It is so hot here. Like 100+ hot. It's just a little ridiculous for the middle of April, especially since we had our heat on just last week. So, today, instead of walking outside, where I would have made it approximately 1 block, I worked out inside, where it's only 80. For today's try-again Tuesday motivation...change something up. Where you work out, or how, or who you do it with. Try something new today!

Reports Due!

2009-04-18T15:58:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I have been a little lax in posting and keeping us walking lately. Therefore, it's time to post your report for this week.

Try-again Tuesday!

2009-04-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

Today, I walked for about 30 minutes. It felt good, and gave me a chance to clear my head a little. Why don't you go try it? I bet you'll feel good, too!

Friday report, please!

2009-04-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

Please report on you activity for the week. And, maybe make a suggestion about a regular post or two you'd like to see. See the suggestions in last Friday's post. Have a great Conference Weekend!

Try-again Tuesday!

2009-03-31T13:09:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is a gentle reminder to try to get moving this week! I didn't walk yesterday, but I did play at the playground with my kids. Today I plan to walk to A.J.'s school when I pick him up. He won't like it, but that's okay. It's been so nice here, we should be outside a lot more than we are. So, we'll try today!

Go outside and play today!

It's Friday...again

2009-03-27T15:56:00.000-07:00

Well, how did you do this week? I know some were sick, or were dealing with sick kids. I was dealing with crazy neighbors that are trying to tell me my kids don't need to play outside with balls. Whatever! So, we're moving. We just don't know where yet. Yay, and Boo.

On a different note, what kinds of reminders would you like to see during the week? Setup Sundays, Motivational Mondays, Tear-em-up Tuesdays, Whiny Wednesdays? Any ideas you have for me to do, or you to contribute to would be lovely. Creativity is a challenge for me, regardless of what Elder Uchtdorf says.

Leave your walking report in the comments!

It's Friday!

2009-03-20T15:27:00.001-07:00

So, it's time to post your walking report. I know the blog just started, but let's get started reporting right away. Put it in the comment section, however grand or miniscule your walking actually was this week. Ready...GO!

My first report

2009-03-18T20:58:00.000-07:00

Today, I walked for nearly an hour, uphill and down, and up again. It felt really good to be active again. Tomorrow, I'll be spending most of my day in the darkroom, so no walking. (But good times, anyway!) Friday, we'll see how long I can go.

Welcome to Fit for the Queens!

2009-03-18T13:32:00.001-07:00

A while ago, Laurenda posted a challenge: be ready for a 5K by October. We were reporting to each other at her place on Fridays, but we've sort of fallen off that track. I thought we needed a place to keep each other going. I don't have anyone to walk with here, so it was nice to know other ladies were walking "with" me from across the country. Let's get back to it!