Sunday, February 22, 2015

Home Gym


I never made it to the YMCA this morning thanks to a blockade of snow after last night’s present from above. I was feeling a little guilty this morning until later when I reviewed today’s events. Any more wintertime projects and I may need a nice rehab center.

It was a balmy 35 degrees outside today, almost bathing suit weather after the arctic blast we’ve had for two weeks straight. Unfortunately this also meant especially heavy snow.
I shoveled off our deck to get to the bird feeders, cleared off the front walk, and after we had plowed our way out to the shed, helped to dig out the door so we could unearth the roof rake.  

Muscle groups – deltoids, lats, biceps, triceps,  quadriceps.


My next task involved the sixteen ugly black hinges on the living room cupboards. Never one to rush into anything, after eighteen years I have finally painted them and needed to return them in their magnificent new creamy state.
A simple project. Simple that is, if you don’t have arthritic knees and hips. I lowered myself to the floor tailor style to take out all the hinges, and then back again to replace them.

Muscle groups – quadriceps, glutes, wrist flexors, deltoids.



          The can of Easy Off oven cleaner had been sitting on my kitchen counter as a mute reminder for three days. I figured I might as well get it over with. I sprayed, waited, and donned my yellow rubber gloves. Some creative contortions and half a roll of paper towels later, while my oven was clear of the majority of the holiday baking, my back felt as though it might snap in two.  
          If I did this often enough I’d never have to go to another Yoga class again.
Muscle groups – lats, obliques, triceps, glutes

          By afternoon it was really warming up outside – 45 degrees! The forecast was for a high tomorrow only in the teens so I knew if I wanted to move any snow it would have to be today. I put my boots back on and went to find the snow rake. My mission was the roof over our family room – only one story – where the stack for some of our plumbing was buried. I did manage to move enough snow to unearth it, but then realized that while I’d taken some of the weight off of the roof, I’d only relocated it to our deck.
          My day went full circle, ending with me and my snow shovel.

                   Muscle groups - - whatever. See above.

13 comments:

  1. I believe only a prolonged stretch of sixty plus would get me motivated outside.

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    1. Yes, the temps dropped last night and I'm back to my car-building-car-building way of living.

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  2. Good for you. Just be sure not to overdo any single muscle.

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    1. No, I managed to torture all of them pretty equally.

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  3. That was an exercise marathon. However, like me you have to exercise some brain muscles so that you don't needlessly reinvent the wheel.

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  4. There you go! Who says you need a gym for a workout.
    But do you ever find yourself aching in muscle groups you didn't even know you had? Like I do?

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    1. This morning - the next day - and I'm getting reacquainted with unhappy long-forgotten body parts.

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  5. At this time of year those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are starting to feel smothered by the white stuff...

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  6. Ouch, I hope those muscle groups aren't screaming in protest today. You are so right, there is enough around the house to keep us all in shape, especially that snow shoveling thing. It is just that a gym is more fun and optional.
    Take care and keep safe.

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  7. And there’s me thinking that lifting a book and a glass of wine are enough exercse for a lousy weather day.

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  8. Well, I hope some of that snow melts. In any case, you've definitely had a workout. I hate cleaning ovens. Maybe even more than I hate cleaning the shower, which usually qualifies as my least favourite household chore.

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  9. I feel your pain! It seems like anymore even the slightest "different" movement I make causes aches and pains for days after. Especially if involves my knees. I hope it warms up for you soon. Shoveling is hard work!

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  10. used to be nobody needed gyms. daily life kept you fit! I'm trying to be good and do 5 Sun Salutations every morning. my 10 pound weights sit ignored.

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