omg kill me now

[wordinista]

Okay, so... yeah.  I've made a disturbing discovery. Actually, it's not so much a "discovery" as an "acknowledgment."  I have fallen so completely out of shape it's not remotely funny.  I was doing pretty good last summer, taking regular trips to the college fitness center.  In fact, I was doing damn good.  And then we moved a half hour away from said fitness center, and I got a lot less "good."  So, then we moved back closer to where we lived before, and I'm rather close to the fitness center -- again.  But I feel kind of weird using it, since I'm not exactly teaching this semester.  I'm still an employee, so I suppose I COULD use it, but... yeah.  Feels weird.

So, this past weekend, I found this.

It seemed like a good idea, actually.  "Seemed like a good idea at the time," as they say -- famous last words.

Holy shit, kill me now.  I knew I'd fallen out of shape, but this?  Is ridiculous.

Of course, it reminded me why I prefer to go to fitness centers and use equipment -- I like seeing my progress.  It's harder to see progress when you're working out at home.  (And I'm constantly afeared of catching my fingers in the ceiling fan -- yes, I'm that tall.) 

I'll keep using it, because I'm just that much of a masochist, and I feel as if maybe I haven't given "Maya" a fair shake.  For an animated "trainer," she's far more tolerable than most aerobics instructors I've seen.

My plan is -- and I do have a plan -- is to shed some poundage and get my lower body back in the shape it used to be, and then see about taking riding lessons again.  I've probably forgotten all I've learned (heels down, dammit!), and I'm probably too old to start up again, but after reading so many of vitanifyrewolf's posts, it's hit me that I really miss riding.  I mean, a LOT.  I even got a new pair of riding boots after I moved up to Alexandria, with the belief that I'd start up again.  Unfortunately, grad school took up a bit too much time for that.  So I've got a sweet pair of boots I've never even USED, and a definite itch to ride again.  Lessons weren't that expensive, if memory serves, unless I wanted to lease a horse.  (Ohhh, that was tempting for a long while. Still is, except for, you know, the money part.)

I'm sure I'm not the only 30 year old out there yearing to recapture her halcyon days of old.

...

Dear god, is this the start of a mid-life crisis?

Comments

[vitani]

Um, my best riding friend at our barn, the one I trust the most, is 35. So, no, you're definitely not too old ^^. (Although she doesn't know if she'll ever be able to ride again because of a back injury). Plus, we've got a lot of women who started by sending their kids to lessons and then thinking - "Hey, I want to ride, too!"

There's nothing quite like it, and you're right - being in shape (strength wise) is a necessity, but it's an afterthought. It just happens. It does wonders for your legs, for instance - especially if one is a jumper. I've been riding for 10 years, and a few years after my legs had gotten so good that I discovered I really loved running, too! So now I run every day, because I want to.

In fact, my summer schedule consisted of getting up in the morning, going to work at the Zoo until 5, then driving to the barn and riding until 7, then going home and eating dinner, and then going for a run.

Start riding again. Really. Once you're on that horse, you won't regret it a bit.

(And if you ever visit, you're welcome to ride my horse, as well. XD)

[w0rdinista.livejournal.com]

Yeah -- I know what you mean. When I was riding, it was because it was something I'd wanted to do for AGES, but never did, for whatever reason. So I started taking lessons, and honestly, I looked in the mirror one day and was like, "....!!" because I'd somehow, without realizing it, gotten into the best shape I'd ever been in.

The one thing I'm concerned about is my knee. It's always been a bit weak, and used to bother me when I rode. I know I'm going to need to get a good brace for it, but I'd really like to build up my lower body strength BEFOREHAND so I don't stress it quite as much. I know it's going to be a lot of strain, but ... I'm actually ready, willing, and able to look past that discomfort.

What I've decided is that I'm going to give myself a solid four weeks of workout before I start up again. But I really, really loved it, and I miss it SO much.

(And if you ever visit, you're welcome to ride my horse, as well. XD)

*Squees and glomps!*

[vitani]

Let me let you in on a secret - my knees kill me. *laughs* That's why I usually have a brace on hand, just in case. But I also notice the more I ride, the less my knees hurt.

Yeah, it'll hurt at first. Your butt'll hurt. XD But you'll get over that, and eventually, you'll feel so much stronger.

*is glomped*
EEP!

[w0rdinista.livejournal.com]

LOL! You just reminded me of the afternoon after my first lesson. I was filthy, and collapsed on the couch, vowing never to move again for as long as I lived. Ohhhhh lord, my butt HURT. OMG.

But I was so totally ready to get back up on that horse (he was a quarter-horse named Spencer), and after each lesson, I hurt less and less.

And then they went and leased him. Dorks. :P

[vitani]

My horse is a Quarter ^^. A Racing Quarter.

Haha, it wasn't the first lesson that hurt, it was the ones afterward - after I was sore! *laughs* I have to go through it again each time I'm back from college on break.

I'm looking for someone to part-lease my horse ;.;

[w0rdinista.livejournal.com]

Awww -- if I didn't live on the other side of the country... *hugs*