has the funk finally lifted?

It will likely come as no surprise to you all that I have been in a bit of a funk lately. It went beyond just not wanting to work out. It went beyond just wanting to eat pizza all day. I would have been content to sit on my couch - all day, every day - for the foreseeable future. I didn't want to write this blog, because I had nothing positive to share. Thank you all for sticking with me while I was such a downer.

I think the days of drear and sadness have finally lifted. The fog/funk I've been in are finally letting up a bit. I am feeling like I'm getting back to my old self, and my old motivation...slowly. It is still less than a given that I'll get my rear to the gym every day, but it is also a little bit less of a fight than it was a couple of weeks ago. I am back on track with my eating, and I'm sure that is a contributing factor. So much easier to want to do things when you aren't weighed down by pizza grease. =)

I'm just going to go ahead and blame it on a slight case of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) because of this gray, gloomy, winter weather. Something that can only be beaten into submission by the sun-like effects of the fluorescent lighting at the gym. Now - I do realize this is a complete crock of crap - but I don't really know what caused it. I like to have somewhere to place the blame, in addition to my own laziness - so I don't have to take complete responsibility. 


There have been a few bright spots over the last few days. I believe it is the universe's way of welcoming me back to life. I'd like to share a couple of them with you now:

• As of Wednesday evening, I haven't had to shovel snow for like 36 hours. A total gift. 
• On Wednesday I saw the sun shining for like 2 hours. It was amazing. 
• The people on the machines next to me on Wednesday were not coughing (every 10-15 seconds) all over their machine, like the guy on Tuesday. I wanted to kick him off his machine. Not "tell him to leave" kick him off - - but literally kick his legs out from under him so he fell off. I am still working on my resolution to be kinder in 2011. It is a process. 
• I survived my extra reps/sets of step ups on Tuesday, and can still walk. It is a miracle. 
• I made "Eye of the Tiger" my alarm in the morning. It is ass-kicking inspiration.
• I saw half of my eye candy at the gym on Wednesday. Granted - it was just his back as he went into the locker room - but I saw him. He is back. It is a treat for the eyes.

Have you had any unexpected bright spots? I'd love to hear about them.

On The Road Again.....

I am becoming a seasoned veteran at this working out while on the road. I have been back in my home state of Minnesota since last Friday. I have had a number of people who have banded together to help me get my workouts in. I appreciate all of you.

I got in some really early - well...really early to me - workouts this week. I met a couple of my friends at the gym at 5:30am on Monday and Tuesday. After some ridiculous red tape (Honestly! Who would have thought trying to workout would be so much work?!?) I now have a visitor pass, and can go at more reasonable times. I got to go at about 10am this morning, after my doctor's appointment. It was a zoo, but nice to be able to sleep in a little bit!

I have discovered that it is nice to have a friend to lift with - I was joined by a friend on Tuesday. I am so used to throwing on my headphones and doing my own thing - it was nice to have a new distraction of conversation! I have also realized that every gym has it's cast of characters. Today I was entranced by the young man who wears the same outfit every day. For real. I had seen him a few times before I left for Milwaukee, and have seen him 2 of the three days I have worked out this week - and he is always in the same outfit! Gross. But beyond that - he was also doing some pretty significant head banging while lifting, with his tongue out of course. He was also jumping/skipping around like he was in a mosh (spelling?) pit. Pretty entertaining.

I have plans to get my workouts in Thursday - Sunday, so I don't think the holidays should force me to miss a beat. I am getting this down. I will learn to live this new life...eventually. I also tried out a new recipe on my sister and her family. It was a Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac & Cheese from Cooking Light magazine. It was pretty delicious.

I will be missing the next couple of days for Christmas, but will be back on Monday. I hope all of you have a great, and safe, weekend!

Letter to the Creator of Running Shorts

Dearest Creator of the Running Short,

What were you thinking? I confess - I am not a runner. Never have been, never hope to be. I did, however, play sports in high school where much running was involved. I don't recall a time where I would have thought extremely thin material, without a side seam, would have seriously enhanced my performance. I used to wear nylon "Umbro" shorts, polyester coaches shorts, mesh shorts, cotton shorts - there was even a time where I thought mens boxers made fantastic shorts. None of these made me long for freedom from the restrictions caused by my outer seams, and I would like to add that they were all less offensive. 

 

I am willing to accept that they may somehow be nice for professional runners. I can't imagine how, but I am open to the possibility. But the creation of this item has caused other issues. I saw a man last summer, who took it one step further, and was running around the lakes in a loin cloth. Seriously. Do you see what you started?!? 

By mass producing these items, and allowing anyone to buy them, you have caused me pain. There is an older man at my gym who wears the same outfit every time I see him. Teal t-shirt and black running shorts. I suspect he is not a part of the "professional runner" group, as I have yet to see him run. Ever. And I see him about 3 times a week. 

Instead he walks around the weight area, and sits on the weight benches. Now you and I know there is barely enough material in those shorts to properly cover his....valuables...from resting directly on the bench. 

But this fan of your work took things to a new level on Wednesday. I suspected, by the way he carries himself, that he considers himself to be a pretty big deal. He does. I was on a machine across from him when he needed to answer a call on his cell phone. Somewhat annoying, but not my issue here. While he was talking on his phone he decided to get more comfortable, or stretch, or something.... because he put his foot up on top of one of the machines. Higher than the foot of a person wearing your ridiculous shorts should ever put their foot. The complete lack of material left his junk completely lacking coverage. 

I almost started to choke, right in the middle of my set! Mr. Man was oblivious. He finally put his foot down, and I thought the worst was over. I was wrong. Yep. Up went the other foot. Unacceptable!! I can also assure you that he is not a big deal, if you know what I mean. 

Is it your fault that he violated my eyes in such a way? Not directly, no. But if people can sue McDonalds for having hot coffee, or sue K-Mart because you bought a sled there and broke your neck - then I can hold you accountable for this. I am certain of it. 

Please do me, and the rest of society, a favor. Discontinue the manufacturing of running shorts immediately. 

I appreciate your time, and attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, 

Natalie Kath

I don't care about being big and strong, I just want to look good naked

I have heard a lot of "naked" talk over the last week or so. The pastor at my friend Jason's wedding talked a little bit about getting naked during the wedding - really! Somewhat shocking, but also pretty entertaining. Then I was flipping through one of my magazines the other day, and there was an article about that same topic.

The lady in the magazine was saying that she was barely comfortable staying naked long enough to get dried off after a shower. She has a friend who is her polar-opposite - who said she hates it when people just drop by unannounced, because what if she is vacuuming naked? Really? I am all for being comfortable with your body...but housework naked? That just seems weird and unnecessary. Unless you are doing something special for your spouse, I just don't understand why? Are your garments too binding? Do you get so hot during these chores, that the weight of pants is just too much to bear? Just thinking about some of the contortions I get myself into when cleaning....I just don't think that is anything that needs to be done sans garments! To each their own, I guess?

That article just made me think of some of the gym locker room faux pas I have seen, or heard about. My youngest sister, Mackenzie, used to belong to LTF. One day she was walking into the locker room, and walked directly into a 70+ year old lady who just happened to be completely naked. She must have gone to weigh herself, and didn't want the accuracy compromised by the weight of a towel. She then walked back past the entrance in the buff. For those of you that know Mackenzie, I am sure you can guess how much she thoroughly enjoyed that.

A couple of weeks ago I went to the gym earlier than usual, and was going to shower before heading back to Minnesota. As I was getting myself ready for the shower, 2 naked elderly ladies (my best guess is 65-70 years old) plopped down on their towels on one of the benches - side-by-side. That is right. Just sitting there, naked, talking about their cats. I started to giggle a bit - partially because...seriously...it was funny. I stopped giggling when it dawned on me that that could be me! I already have the saggy body! I am half way there!

not all naked is bad, however....

I think it is great that people are comfortable in their skin. I get that after working out, and showering, one is probably pretty warm. I understand that locker rooms are for changing, and that people are going to be naked. But I am wondering if I could make the request that you put something on before walking up to the counter and mirrors? Are you really so hot that a bra would be too much coverage for you? If your only option is a sports bra, I realize you will probably get stuck with it 1/2 way on if you try to dress too soon - but put a towel on, or something! Does leaving your beave completely bare, while walking up next to me while I wash my hands, keep you at a better temperature? Maybe it is the fact that I am jealous that your boobs face forward, rather than your feet? Whatever it is - I would appreciate not having the reflection of your headlights staring me in the face when I look up from the sink. You are  not that hot - literally or figuratively.

For the guys that read this, and wondering what the issue is....yeah - I know some of you are thinking "what's the problem? get them some pillows and let them go to town!" - I have this to say. I know you have guys that do similar things in your locker rooms. The guy that needs to have one leg up on the bench while he stands there naked? And if you are still confused, envision this: you are up at the sink, washing your hands/brushing your teeth/etc, when some dudes walks up next to you...naked....and throws his junk up on the counter. Now how do you feel about it?

This is my week of pay-back to YC for the Vikings losing to the Packers. I have to bring him lunch every day. Here is what I am taking him today:

• 11.5 oz of marinated chicken (approximately 400 calories)
• Mac & Cheese from America's test kitchen light (360 cals)
• 1 cup steamed broccoli (50 cals)

Not sure how many calories he usually eats - but I figure he is a growing boy, and burns more than I do by a long shot. We'll see how this goes, and maybe scale it back tomorrow? Stay tuned.

I Fear I'm a Gym Snob

One thing remains consistent about my gym visits, regardless of how often I go. I want to get in and out as quickly as possible. Get my work done as fast as my diminished cardiac abilities will allow me to, and get out! I fear that my desire to speed through this portion of my day has made me a bit of a gym snob?

When it comes to the cardio equipment, I don't want people on the machine right next to me. Why? I have no idea. I just don't want them there. I like the buffer of one machine between me and the next person. Kind of like seats at the movie theater. When there is an option to leave an open machine, it should be mandatory to do so.

When it comes to the use of cell phones - no. Don't do it. There is no one that is so important that they cannot go 30-60 minutes without taking a phone call. NO ONE. On top of that, the person on the phone is talking loud enough that I can't hear what I am listening to. Why is it my job to police this? It isn't, but it still bugs me for some reason.

When it comes to the weights I need to use - others shouldn't be allowed to use them at that time. Believe me - I realized this is completely irrational. I do get that I belong to a public gym, and they have just as much right to those weights as I do. But I would still like to have some sort of pass that allows me to take things away from others when I need to use them.

When it comes to the weight bars (these approximately 3' long metal bars with small weights on the end. They are all one piece, and are stored on a "tree" of sorts - with the top rung being about 5', and going to the floor. The lightest bar is 10#, and then increase every 5-10# from there - going up to 70#, I believe) - lightest goes on the top! Inevitably I find that the 35 pound bar has been put on the top rung of the tree - which is about even with my shoulders, while the 10# bar is on the rung by the floor. Hey super-tall/super-strong jacka....ummm...person! Leave the top rungs for the light weights so the people who have already had to lift more than they want to by the time they get up to the 35# bar, and whose arms already feel more than slightly fatigued, can get it off the stupid tree without looking like an ass.

When it comes to the weight machines that I need to use - see the "weights" paragraph above. All of those rules apply. I have this to add regarding the actual machines: I go at a time when a lot of patrons are...ummm..advanced in age. I swear I have seen a few of them taking naps on the machines! They don't move for extended periods of time, and their eyes are closed. It is no good. Slightly concerned it may be more serious than a nap! I asked YC if anyone has ever fallen asleep. He wasn't sure about that - but said there was a guy on his back in the stretching area one day that didn't move for an extended period of time. Maybe we could build some sort of zapper into the seats, so if you don't move for 5 minutes, it zaps you into movement? I think I'm on to something, here.

Until such a time that I somehow become "Oprah-Rich" and can afford to have my own home gym, and can have YC and his adorable gf (I got to meet her on Tuesday. She is lovely) move into my guest house (hey - if I can afford a home gym, I can afford a guest house...right?) - I guess I am going to have to remember what I learned when I was a babe. Share and play nice.

Do you have any tendencies toward gym-snobbery? Please share.