Keeping on keeping on

[clevermanka]

I'm just about ready to pull myself out of my sedentary funk. I think after this weekend I'll have the motivation to move with intent again. I've indulged long enough for an appropriate mourning period.

Not gonna lie, the realization that I wasn't going to be able to safely return to weightlifting anytime soon felt like a bad breakup. Even now I don't feel like I'm ready to date again, but I need to at least get out of the damn house. Put myself out there, you know?

To facilitate that, I'm incorporating three activities, all of which are body-weight only. I'm signing up for Be Moved Studio's Tai Chi class that starts later this month, checking out the student rec center for rock climbing facilities (equipment rental, coaching), and resuming boxing practice with mckitterick.

I am going to try very hard to avoid comparing my potential dating partners these movement opportunities to previous relationships what I was doing before the back injury. These are all things that would have appealed to me in addition to my weightlifting program, so I hope to be able to enjoy them without thinking of them as a replacement or compensation prize.

Here's to putting myself out there again. I'll give up when I'm dead.



ETA: The Toast just posted an article ("On Becoming and Unbecoming an Athlete") about the loss of a sport. Holy amazing timing, Batman.

Comments

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

I've heard very good things about tai chi (though I've never tried it) and a lot of people love our campus rock climbing facility. I hope that the one available to you is even better than ours!

Never give up! Mwahahaha! (just thought an evil laugh might spruce up that comment *g*)

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Tai chi appeals to me because it's so similar to sun salutations and other yoga flows. Which I used to hate, but now find very soothing and meditative, even when they're kicking my ass.

Of flows and form...

[thetimesink.livejournal.com]

You can move them from the free weights into body weight work. Yoga is already body weight, but you can build your own asanas that you can personally take past the point an instructor would (the usual precautions apply); the question I use is, "Why does that side feel different from the other and how shall I get it back into balance?"

"...death in the family": resonance.

Hmmm... Not going to hijack your post; I guess I'll just have to step up and do something at my place here. Much more to say about the path less traveled (all encouraging); I'm with you (and the old cartoon of that frog working on choking the bird that's trying to swallow it).

Re: Of flows and form...

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

the old cartoon of that frog working on choking the bird that's trying to swallow it

I LOVE THIS IMAGE! Thank you!

[etcet.livejournal.com]

given your background in dance, you will probably take to tai chi like a magafaqqing champ.


(my own, infrequent, fits of dancing when i'm not aping ridiculous pop-dance references is kind of tai chi-ish, though i've never actually done it as A Thing)

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Ha! Thanks for the vote of confidence! I'm sure I'll be reporting on my experiences with it.

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

"Here's to putting myself out there again."

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

that was a great article [filing away for likely not-too-future reference...]

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I thought of you, too, while reading that.

[write-out.livejournal.com]

What awesome inspiration, thanks! Unlike you, I have had no consistent exercise routine in years and my body has paid the price. I have to change that.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

It really helps to start using the concepts of intentional movement or daily activity instead of exercise or (worst of all possible options) working out.

Even dancing around the living room to a couple songs counts as moving with intent!

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

It took me a good three minutes to figure out what that last picture was on the article! :facepalm:

I miss my old self that used to toss around 70-80 lb boxes in the warehouse, and carry two cases of canned beer at a time. I hate having a weak side.
That was a good article.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yep. I remember being able to pick up and walk Dean around in an "over the threshold" carry. Or jog with him piggybacked on me. sigh

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

I never knew that!
The visuals are amusing me to no end!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

He bet me I couldn't do either. HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Silly boy. He should have known better.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

About a lot of things, really.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Aye.
so where is the Tai Chi and how much does it run? I need a new movement thingy and Tues nights will be free for me starting week after this one. (Oh, blessed are the jobs that do not involve late evenings!)

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

At Be Moved: http://www.bemovedstudio.com/classes/tai_qi.html

[gansje.livejournal.com]

You are so badass. <3

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Whee! Thank you for the vote of confidence!

[sherwood21.livejournal.com]

That's a great article, and I hope the things you are adding are fun, because they all sound fantastic.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Now if people would just email me back about registering for them! At least I don't have to put off the boxing. We can start that this weekend.

[seascribe.livejournal.com]

*furious pompom waving* Hooray for you! Also, rock climbing sounds AWESOME.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

It's certainly the least like anything I've ever done before!

[pointoforigin.livejournal.com]

You have my rueful sympathy, and my admiration!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks, hon! I'm always impressed with all your walking. That's a huge benefit to one's health.

[pamelonian.livejournal.com]

I have been through this, too. Running (though it felt great) hurts my knees. Biking, which was my go-to exercise for years, has become painful (and I am scared of being struck by motor vehicles). Even walking, after I have been on my feet all day, is not a good option for me. I am trying to find a way to keep moving that doesn't hurt. Aikido can be physically strenuous, or not, depending on what I decide we are going to work on. When I am at the dojo I pretty much am an instructor, so I set the physical parameters. I hope the Tai Chi is good for you. My dad, who is 73, does Tai Chi. He really enjoys it.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Hey, if you wanna think about coming on Tuesday nights with me...

[the-lucky-nun.livejournal.com]

I started going to Robinson this week, and talked my co-worker into going as well. So far, so good.

I'm glad you've found new ways to stay active. I'm curious about boxing classes--does it put stress on your wrists?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can't go for too long at once. I've sprained my wrist twice (only once to the point where it was unusable for more than a day, though), and have bruised my knuckles (through padded gloves) several times. My wrists just aren't strong enough yet to use the heavy bag for a whole session, which is why we're going to get some sparring pads at Dick's. Hitting a hand-held pad is a lot friendlier to one's wrists and hands (at least in my experience).

I also want to learn some kicks. I'm not steady on my feet and kicks scare me. I need to get over that.

[the-lucky-nun.livejournal.com]

That's pretty much exactly where I'm at. I've been practicing slow, controlled sidekicks in front of a mirror to get myself more coordinated.