If you don’t know this song by the Streets, look into it. It’s hilarious and one of man-go-round and my favorite songs by them. It also reminds me of college, when they were pretty popular.
The title is, however, about more than just my love for cheesy Brit-pop. After a errand full day at Ikea and a new-to-us co-op, I was ready to get outside into what was left of the sunshine, since I had waited for it all week.
I went on a little stroll…
Gorgeous, right? It reminded me that while I like to go on walks only for very specific reasons:
-to get somewhere I need to go (errands, walking to work)
-to take photographs of nature/ sunsets
-to spend time with others while getting fresh air.
I do NOT like walking for exercise. I find it too tedious to try to get a good cardio high from walking. Plus, I am always afraid I’ll get bored and then be 2 miles from home.
Thus, tonight’s list:
“Let’s Get Physical” (with or without Sue Sylvester)
a.k.a Meri’s favorite ways to be active
–Hiking– I know this goes against my “walking for exercise,” but when I go hiking it means its almost always a new place, and I’m usually on vacation (there are not a lot of great hikes in MN). Thus, its something new, and I can feel like a mountain woman, even if its paved…
–Yoga- I discovered this after I got rear ended back in college. I had some neck/back issues and decided to take control of my life and the future of my back. Soon, I was hooked. Something about the stretching and the breathing (great for my snotted up allergies) and the videos I got. I have to say I usually hate yoga classes though. Sister’s class I like, because she isn’t offended when I don’t do corpse pose. Mom understands, we have the same bony tailbone.
–Kickboxing- My absolute favorite exercise. I feel like a warrior with each and every kick. Try Tracy Staehle, she’s awesome.
–Tennis- I don’t get out as much as I’d like. Back in the day I was a pretty fierce competitor, making it to the Junior Olympics back in junior high and rocking Varsity in high school. Okay, truth be told at my little school making Varsity was not a huge accomplishment, but I just like to brag. Plus, I like the tennis skirts and dresses!
–Tap Dancing- It’s been years since I took lessons, but I still tap around in my socks some times. One of these days, a community ed class…
–Zumba- Over Easter, my sister gave me an impromptu one-on-one lesson as she is not only a yoga but also Zumba instructor. I had a ton of fun and if I hadn’t been wearing knit tights and a dress, would have made it a lot longer! I’m going to try checking out a class.
…and my personal fave…
–Dancing!- I don’t mean organized or choreographed or even interpretive dance. Well, maybe the last one. It’s no secret that I lack the certain “inhibitions” needed to be taken seriously in life or to look like a grown up. Sure, by day I attempt a degree of decorum, but by night… (or at home, or in the kitchen, or at a party, or IKEA, or in my car…) I gotta dance. I even have a signature dance I like to scare people with, its called “the butt dance” and it lives in infamy.
Now, on to the losers… I would rather sit on a concrete bench in the rain than:
–Golf– Sorry dad, I wanted to like this- I love the preppy clothes and drinks at the clubhouse but… just like walking, I live in fear I will get bored and not be done yet. I did play Varsity Golf in high school though! (I’m going for most bragging in one post tonight).
–Running– Despite a short stint on Varsity Cross Country Running (more bragging needed), and a trip to the state finals meet, I now run about once a year, for about a mile, to make sure I still can if I’m ever being chased by a baddie. Again, falls in the category of “what if I get bored,” and “makes my knees hurt.” Plus, I have allergies.
–Weight lifting– I do lift weights, but man I hate it. Push-ups too. And ab-work. I do it often enough to be sore the next day, and complain about it obnoxiously. Then every 3 months I repeat.
-Pilates- Ugh. always feels like a strained muscle to me with the jerky movements. Plus I think of obnoxious moms I used to nanny for.
How do y’all stay active? Any crazy new workout hybrids I should try out? What about the rest of you jocks, favorite sports?
-Meri
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