Penguin crunches, donkey kicks, froggers, seal jacks...My studio has been invaded by strange animals. Also by mountain climbers and speed skaters. But don’t worry, they are all making me stronger.
Specifically, they are making my body stronger: these are all exercises I have begun doing since the pandemic began.
This is the painting I stare at while I’m exercising (what, you didn’t think I was going to put a picture of myself exercising, did you?!?)
Pre-pandemic, my exercise mainly consisted of quick trips to the local Planet Fitness gym for a half hour spin on a recumbent bike or elliptical--while reading a magazine or watching one of the many tvs there. It wasn’t great exercise, but I told myself it was enough.
I’m not sure who I thought I was kidding. My doctor gave me a little side-eye at my last annual physical and said I really needed to strengthen my core...yeah, yeah…
Then: shutdown. No gym.
But Planet Fitness to the rescue--they began posting daily “work-in” sessions for all of us stuck at home. I began to do them, down in my studio. I learned new terminology. I realized just how out of shape I really was...mountain climbers? I couldn’t have climbed much beyond a small hill when I first began. Still, I kept at it, three or four times a week, as uncomfortable as it was/is, because I felt better after the work in was over.
Now, after months of consistently exercising, I’m stronger, more flexible and have more energy, really and truly. My arthritis doesn’t hurt as much. I can zip up the stairs instead of plodding. Challenging, regular exercise -- a definite silver lining to this time.
And I’m almost looking forward to that annual doctor’s visit, just to show her that, yes! Thanks to penguin crunches, Russian twists, planks and more, my core is strengthened!
My favorite teacher Aja leads another great class—Planet Fitness on Youtube.