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Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Namaste




It’s been awhile since I’ve written something about myself, mostly for fear I’d bore you to death because nothing has really been going on.

Glad to see I’m leading in the “Most likely to die in a freak accident” pole to your right. Thanks for that.

I’ve been seeing this holistic chiropractor to try and figure out what’s wrong with me, and after he put my tendon back on my shoulder that’s been better, and now come to find out after an MRI that I have chondromalcia in my knee which has everything to do with my body being out of whack and running 5 miles a day (in my better days) on a body that’s out of whack. He said he’ll have me running again in no time…we’ll see. So, that’s kind of depressing…living with pain. I’ve been given an exercise plan that has me doing hundreds of “wall-squats” a day. Whenever my knee feels tight I’m supposed to drop what I’m doing and wall squat. Which has me wall squatting at all sorts of weird places…in my kitchen, against the garage, in my bedroom when I wake up in pain at 2:30 in the morning…in the bathroom at a dealership…the list is endless.

So, I’m thinking of taking up Yoga again. I tried it a dozen times, you know, the Bikram kind where you’re in a 105 degree heat controlled room for 90 minutes and you learn that sweating is the best thing you could ever give yourself. It was quite relaxing, and a break from my regular balls-to-the-wall cardiovascular, I’m a crazy exersize-a-holic routine. But needless to say I have to get back to the gym, where lately I’ve been donating my $66 a month. Besides, they offer yoga and pilates classes at my gym…I just need to take advantage of them. That’s my goal for the rest of the year, spend more time at the gym and on my well-being.

Anyway, I think I actually need to relax more…maybe that’s my problem. Any ideas? What do you do to relax?

7 comments:

Minnesota Nice said...

Have you ever checked out the Wellness Center on 54th St? They have one of those beds you lie on and water jets pummel the bejesus out of your muscles. Loosens everything right up. They have an isolation tank, a woman who does deep-tissue massage, which I swear is the only kind that works, and they also do bio-feedback but I have no earthly clue what that is. Maybe it turns you into a Scientologist, I don't know.

Aliecat said...

I crack a beer and light up a 'gritte to relax. Not exactly the healthiest thing to do, but it keeps me sane.

neal gardner said...

you're doing the right thing by taking up yoga and exercise. don't go full-tilt because you might burn yourself out (physically and mentally). be patient with it and set realistic goals. if you won't be able to keep up with a daily routine, spread out your gym visits to 4 days-a-week .
case in point: i used to work out for an hour a day, seven days a week. no matter how terrible i felt, i would drag my sorry ass to the gym and go through the motions. after awhile, i found my routine to be counter-productive. the more time i spent at the gym, the less intense my workouts became. although i was able to maintain a steady weight, my muscles were constantly fatigued.
i now work out M/W/F/S, and i'm making much better progress. my yoga/stretching, cardio and weight lifting circuits are better quality since my body has had time to recover on days off. i spend more time at the gym when i go, and i feel more productive.
my routine helps me relax. On gym days, I feel focused on the tasks at hand, and on the days off, I feel good knowing I've accomplished something big. sticking to an exercise schedule is huge; most folks drop off after a month or so. good luck with it. if you keep it fun, you'll definitely succeed.

Unknown said...

My mood and my body are much better when I take yoga. I was doing it 4-5 times a week, but have cut it down to once or twice. I'm not an exercise a holic, but I yoga does a body good. Plus, the chicks are hot.

Unknown said...

Shit, I almost forgot, if you have oxygen network, TiVo exhale with steve ross. he's my guy, teaches in Brentwood. Kind of non-traditional, he plays sting and hip hop, but is really popular. I've taken his class at home a few times when I'm feelin' it.

Jenni said...

UPDATE: The wall squats are working...I feel GREAT! My knee hasn't felt this good in months! Yesterday I found myself wall squatting in two of my dealerships...I'm afraid I may become the Minneapolis Phantom Wall Squatter.

Sandra: Yeah, I know they offer Yoga classes there, and I didn't know that they offered massage...good idea. Massage would probably be my best friend right about now...that and a martini party with bon bons...remember?

Aliecat: Great advice, cocktails are always an excellent option!

Neal: Yeah, I know...I used to be an exercise aholoic going to the gym 6 days a week, 5 at 5:30 in the morning to run on the treadmill for about an hour. I think I may have burned myself out, and yes, your routine makes much more sense. Just so you know you're writing to someone who takes everything to the extreme, a (still) recovering anorexic from the damage I did while in highschool I have to learn that moderation is OK, and most probably more healthy for me...thanks for the advice!

Madman: Vicodin and beer, spoken from a man who has to put up with DG on a daily basis...I'll let this one slide ;)

Libby: Yeah, maybe the right track..finally!

Rob Lowe: I'd have to agree. I think it has everything to do with the breathing and opening your body up so everything inside you can breathe as well...there's no other feeling like it in the world. And yes, I have that channel, I'll check it out! Thanks! But, I'm sorry to say the "hot chicks" fail to motivate me...sorry.

Lorelia: Trust me...it's been contemplated. And you are so right about the outdoors, I'll take your advice this weekend. I have a ski hill not too far from my house that's open in the summer for hikers...I'll check it out this weekend...thanks! And also, I've been taking glucosimene chrondritin and fish oils which have been helping out. I was diagnosed with inflamatory arthritis about two years ago which was thought to be an allergic reaction to wheat, I was on rheumatiod arthritis medicine for about a year which really sucked...as in getting your liver tested every two months kind of suck...so I stopped with the wheat and have been off the meds since easter sunday and have been relatively fine up until recently...that's why I'm seeing this holistic chirporactor, to do things the right way...the natural way. I'll check out the Magnesium...thanks!

Charlie Mc said...

masturbation is the best relaxation.....