Before we hit the mall yesterday, we had a little photo shoot… with crackers and milk. Yum.
I forgot to mention that I managed 5 whole minutes on the elliptical machine yesterday – and today, too! It is absolutely pathetic that I have to stop a few times to "rest," but it's just killing my thighs, and yesterday I stretched out/writhed around on the bed (not in a "good" way) 'til my body recovered. Then I had to hold on for dear life as I descended the stairs. Today was better. I still did only 5 minutes, but I think I took fewer breaks, definitely didn't have to "take to my bed" afterwards, and it wasn't so hard going down the stairs.
Yeah.
Well, 5 minutes is 5 minutes and, so far, I've done 15 minutes on the elliptical machine this year that I didn't do last year — and wouldn't have done this year, either, if I'd approached it any other way (pushed too hard, hurt myself, continued thinking that 5 minutes doesn't matter). Next week, I'll work up to 6, or 5 with no breaks, and/or with the tension turned up. It'll get easier, I know it will. I also need to get some sort of TV/movie watching setup set up because watching the clock tick up to 5 minutes does nothing but make me want to puke by about 4:57.
I flossed yesterday, too, but I forgot to this morning. I will before bed.
The ornaments are off the tree!! I broke two – one vintage ornament, WWII era, judging from the colors and design, and another plain glass ball – taking the toll up to three casualties this year, I believe. I don't know what my problem was. The tree is still up, because it got late and dark and there's also freezing rain coming down on everything tonight, so we'll do that tomorrow. The ornaments are all packed up, though, and Katie even wrapped and packed up hers and her sisters' for me, and that feels great.
Speaking of WWII and Katie, we went to see Valkyrie last night and both liked it a lot. The theater schedule changed without notice, so the movie had already begun by the time we were seated — I don't think we missed much, but I always enjoy the previews. I read some criticism somewhere of Tom C. for not speaking his role with a German accent, but NO ONE spoke with a German accent in that movie unless they were truly German! It was a bit of a language smorgasbord, really. I didn't mind at all — in fact, it kind of bothers me when people fake an accent. I hadn't read much about the rest of the cast beforehand, so seeing Kenneth Branagh and Tom Wilkinson was a nice surprise. I also think Tom did a good job not over-acting in a role that could so easily have been. Anyway, two thumbs up from over here for Valkyrie.
A wise friend once said to me how frustrated many of her friends are that they can’t get more done because of children/work/cleaning/life. Her response was priceless, and I offer it to you regarding your exercise time: No one can ever take that back. Those five minutes are securely in the “Accomplished” category of your life and no matter what happens they still represent success. Don’t let not-as-much-as-you’d-like translate in your mind to not-good-enough! (Yes, she’s a very positive person, and I need to be reminded that it can be helpful to know those folks!)
I tried the elliptical machine once at the Y and I thought I was going to die. Doing 5 minutes is a BIG deal. Glad you liked Valkyrie.
Do what you can do…that’s the goal. Elizabeth’s comment is perfect.
In truth they wouldn’t be speaking with accents but IN German, right? At least this way we can understand them.
ahhh the eliptical, I know how you feel. We got one in december and I’m now chugging along but I did tell Moose he needed to set the tv up so I could at least watch an episode of the waltons, anything to stop myself from looking at the time.
Don’t worry about turning the tension up until you feel good on the main setting,you still getting a good workout even if you don’t turn it up. It takes time but you’ll be an eliptical pro in no time 🙂
I’m back on my recumbant bike – up to 20 minutes at a pop. (It darn near killed me yesterday – I was so sore!) I play my DS to make the time pass. I’ve found battling Pokemon beats watching stuff on my iPod AND reading.
Keep up the good work!
Love the photos. 🙂
Way to go on the elliptical! Really, every few minutes is great. Maybe if you found some good after elliptical stretches it’d help ease the pains? Or later in the day stretches? I’d say go for more minutes before getting any higher tension. We (kiddo and me) saw that movie recently… In the very beginning Tom Cruise’s character was writing in a journal and speaking his thoughts in German, and then somebody came into his tent (they were in Africa) and they spoke some in German. I don’t speak German, so it sounded good enough to me. Added some authenticity for me, since I think of TC as such an american pretty boy. But he did a good job in the role. In the end, though, I didn’t like the movie as much as other people seem to. Not sure why… Maybe it was the all for naught aspect?
five minutes IS five minutes! more than me sister!!
Yay for 5 minutes! You know, it isn’t the time but rather the fact that you made the time and made it a priority and DID it! Hey, when I got my new bike in June, I could only ride 3 miles. Now I can ride nearly 20 at a time. Of course, as I was out on my ride today feeling very pleased about that, the university cycling team rode by like the wind and I felt a little pathetic, but hey, it’s better than I could do last year! Keep it up, dearie! Those minutes do add up.
I find that listening to podcasts and books on tape form Librivox.org help me not die of boredom on the treadmill. That might be better for you than TV until you build up to a longer duration–otherwise you’d be stopping just as the show was starting.
Good luck!
Best of luck with the elliptical. I used to make Playlists on my iTunes to go on my iPod when I went to the gym. I also find that stretching BEFORE using the trainer actually helps a lot by warming up the muscles first.
What everyone else said about the 5 minutes. That is 5 minutes and lots of calories and muscle workout and cardio workout that you wouldn’t have had otherwise. Go, you! (I have never been able to handle the elliptical; only the baby stairmaster or whatever it’s called)
You + camera + Matt = cute overload.
I listen to books on my Ipod when I am on the treadmill or elliptical. I look forward to it.