Hello, Broadway!

So, I know I just posted recently about sticking to a select few workout DVDs in order to become comfortable with the routine. I don't think I get much of a workout when I'm essentially simply watching how to do a routine the first few times through. Of course, variety is also important in order to challenge one's muscles as well as prevent boredom.

Well, my mom has quite a few workout DVDs, so I though I'd add a little variety to my exercise and try one of them. I chose "Yoga Booty Ballet: Cardio Cabaret, Burlesque Style." Wow! This is an awkward routine to perform in my parents' living room, especially when my dad decided he had enough energy to come down out of his sick bed for a few hours.

I must say, though, it was fun! And I did break a sweat.

Stretch!

So, rather than bore myself with the all-too-familiar run this morning, I decided to do some calm stretching. I got out my exercise DVDs and reached for my 10-minute "Get Balanced: Pilates Express" workout that I found in a box of Kashi cereal a few years ago.

To my surprise, after the 10 minute mark, the DVD kept going. I apparently grabbed the full version I purchased a few months ago since I liked the 10-minute sample version so much. The full version, "Trudie Styler's Core Strength Pilates," is 55 minutes long. My subconscious must have tricked me into a longer workout! I feel great now, so I suppose I shouldn't complain :)

My mom even joined me for the first 10 or 15 minutes! Way to go, Mom!

I find that it is important to only have a select few workout DVDs because you don't really get much of a workout while you are learning the routine. It's obviously hard to do a move when you are craning your neck to see how to do it. I'm still learning this full-version routine. I anticipate needing to do it at least another 5 times before I become comfortable with hearing and following the instruction (versus relying on a video demonstration).

Sunny Morning Jog

Well, for those who do not know, my father became strangely ill about 2 weeks ago. I coincidentally quit my job just before he became sick, so I am available to help my mother with his recovery now that he's been released from the hospital.

This is a huge change in routine, and I am hoping that it will also mean a change in my exercise routine, which has been non-existent for the past few months.

This morning, I went on a short jog: 1.6 miles across town and back (the town my parents live in is less than 1 mile wide). Baxter came with me! And I didn't even bother to time myself. This is a good-faith effort for exercise, and I don't want to overwhelm myself.

It was a beautiful morning. And the edge of town is a picturesque rural landscape (I was going to say skyline, but that doesn't really qualify outside of the big city!).

Pilates

I have been getting a lot of headaches in the past few weeks. And on Monday, a migraine. So, this evening, I decided to do some low-impact exercising, because I've been wanting to exercise but due to the headaches, running wasn't appealing. So I did the 40-minute Pilates for Dummies routine. Some of my back muscles were stiff and sore during the exercise, but I felt better afterwards.

I'm thinking I might do some elliptical exercising tomorrow...