Locker Rooms

Do you remember the dread you felt when you started Junior High and entered the Locker room on the PE tour?

We had very fashionable PE uniforms, White collared blouse, with polyester black shorts that had a white band down the legs. Paired with white cuffed socks and white k e d s type tennys.

The female PE teaches looked more like prison wardens and I despised that hour every day!!!!!

The locker rooms then, had grey baskets and the showers a weird peach speckled covering over concrete. No doors on the showers and the walls came to chest height- more like cubicles, but you could see everything. They gave you a scratchy starchy towel that might be considered a dish towel.....back then, I'd wet the towel and wipe off on the bench. No way was I going to "be seen"
PE in High school was no go. Marching Band fulfilled that credit, much to my delight.

The Y has 2 locations with pools. The newer has shower stalls with doors and enough room to hang your towel so it stays dry- you still need to go out to the lockers to get dressed. The older location has a few curtained off showers and then a wall of nozzles (community shower) Even when I was still taking lessons at the Y, I would wait for a curtained off shower and would wrap too towels around me to walk to the lockers and clumsily, try to get dressed while still wrapped up in a towel.

Then the college swim class came along and upon entering the locker room, I had a huge flash back-rown upon rows of those grey baskets and lockers-towel counter (no longer have a towel service due to budget cuts) and the same peach speckled showers
(You have to try several to see which ones work) I felt the dread return for a few minutes and then had to make a decision. I was cold and wet. I could put my sweats on and be even more uncomfortable, or I could suck it up, put my bag in a locker and go take a shower. I chose the latter and upon doing so, was followed in to the showers by about 5 other class members- all chatting how they HATE to take public showers. They asked me how I could do it- I laughed and said this was a first.
The first night every one huddled in their own cubby and no chit chat and every one retreated to a separate row to get dressed.
Each night, I noticed more talking and people having conversations while dressing.

Last Wednesday, several girls forgot various items and shampoo bottles and body washes were being tossed over or passed around.
I spied a row of previously unseen private showers that had a private dressing area as well- None of us knew they were there.

Last night before class, I decided to go check out those private showers. A couple worked, the dressing area was tiny and I could tell your clothes might get wet I decided to pass.

Last night, the water was COLD! Whoever closed the pool on Friday, forgot to put the covers on. The first thing the coach said was that the water was cold- his swim team that rarely complains had complained and if we wanted to use one of our free absences, it was probably a good night to do so-either that or get in and keep moving-

No way was I going home. I did swim in a real lane and made it 3/4 across. I made the mistake of looking down. I did not realize that the pool is 13 feet deep and I kinda panicked . The Y lap pool that I made it across on Saturday is only 5'8 at the deepest and I guess I assumed this one was too..I think it is a safety crutch in my mind that I could touch my toes if I needed too-this one it's sink or swim.

Anyways, when we got out another older lady was really cold and I said come in the locker room , it's really warm (heated) and take a warm shower. I immediately saw the horror on her face. She said "I'm too fat to take a shower" I told her she wasn't, no one cared and that I had just found some private showers.

You do have to walk a bit to the locker room, it is not at the pool. So we did, I showed her the private ones and decided to use one of them as I didn't want to desert her.

I was right, you do drip on your stuff when you get out and the stalls don't seem to be cleaned as frequently as the open ones...
I will be back to the others on Wednesday

I saw that lady on the way out she was so happy she had taken a shower. Thanked me for bringing her in and gave me a hug.


I guess sometimes we notice things, not for ourselves, but for others.

sunday tidbits

I spent a couple of hours last night on collage.com, looking for dvd's for knee issues. I found one called Strong Knees, that had good reviews. I sounds like it is a stretching strengthening routine that people on amazon said was the same as going to physical therapy.
I looked it up on the library catalogue- it said it might be lost. I'll call in the morning. If they don't have it, I'll just order it, since that web store let's you return the dvd if you don't like it. Thanks Vickie and Ali for talking about that site.

I really like the water from the reverse osmosis unit. I did drain it one more time (4) then what the instructions said to as I noticed an off taste- it is gone with the additional rinse through and am so glad we got it.

I don't like the additional sports lid for the Kleen kanteen. I'm now just using the screw off lid it came with- wasn't able to get a big enough drink out of the other one.

I saved 91 dollars last night by dyeing my hair back blond myself. I used l'oreal hi lift blonde supreme. I read some reviews that said it really did work and to leave it on a lot longer than the box said to. (I had dyed it red before T day). My hair looks pretty good. It isn't fried or orange.
Some pieces are more a golden blond, while what was already lighter is a paler blond, so it just looks highlighted.

I did call my friend to ask, if it turned out to be a disaster, if she would help me re dye. Her help wasn't needed and Rich even said it was "perfect".
I do think it would be orange if I hadn't left it on longer, glad I found the reviews.

The box was just under 8.

We had son quit his job as it was starting to affect his school work. He graduates on April 30 so for a few months, any money saved will help, since we will be sending him money.

Dinner for the week-
Mon- Turkey Taco salad

Tues- Red Beans and Quiona

Wed- Chicken and Veggie Bowls

Thursday- Spaghetti **

Friday- Taco/Tostada

** I f I get creative, I might make chicken fetticune, using left over chicken, ww pasta, frozen veggies and attempt to make a lowfat white sauce

I have automated most other meals
Breakfast- some type of egg and on some days add a half of sweet potato

Lunch- salmon salad on a big salad or portion of left over dinner from night before

Snacks
Work out- yogurt with granola or kashi .

Almonds
Or celery w/pb


Hope you have a great Sunday. If your watching, enjoy the game!

disapointment

I left the trainer VERY disappointed last night!

When I called to set up the appointment, I was very specific with my needs, what I wanted, and asked if he could accommodate, my budget, give me a work out for use at the Y and my 8 week time line.

He seemed to forget ALL of that last night.

I spent a half hour stretching and then he said we were done-umm, it was suppose to be an hour appointment. He then had me sit down for the "sell". He HAD told me on the phone $65 in addition to the tri club discount-the paper said 85. I had to ask about the discount- he didn't really want to give it, even though it's plastered on the website. Oh, you have to buy 8 sessions and no work out for the Y. He said we would "work up" to free weights in about 5 weeks. Dude, I only have 8.

I left very discouraged.

I did read Vickie's post ,shortly after I got home, on her exercise plan. It did calm me down somewhat.

This morning, I was still frustrated and talked to my brother, he told me his tri coach charged $50 and set him up on a complete whole body free weight program. He is going to email her and ask if she'd do the same for me.

If not, I might be checking out some DVDs. I'm not trusting of myself to do them at home and push myself. Somehow, I do much better at the gym

In good news, I swam today and made it across, breathing the whole way.

I finished painting the tv and now am about to watch some Nascar, without food!

Tomorrow, will be a sewing day. I have 4 six foot wide panels to cut in half and hem and 2 others that just need a hem- I'm using canvas paint drop cloths with rings at the top. I know it sounds weird, but once washed and pressed, they look like linen panels. I first used them to make porch curtains ans they still look great after about 7 years! I will take pics when done!

Friday

Just wanted to stop in and wish you all a happy weekend!

Today, I'm painting the tv finally and the rest of the weekend is being devoted to fixing up the family room. New curtains to hem, rearranging and looking for a white shag carpet remnant. I will post pics when done!

My brother has planned some crazy bike ride-It is suppose to rain, so I will get out of that one and will swim instead.

While most will be having Super Bowl parties on Sunday. Here it is the Budweiser Shoot out at Daytona, Saturday night. Hubby will have his wings and I'll be having a nice yummy salad and some nuts.

We are going to his parents house for the Super Bowl. I decided I'll be taking some Sub way Turkey @ Avocado subs with me- Safest thing to do. Sorry for you Indiana gals- Go Saints! Let me clarify that with saying, I'm not a big football fan. Drew Breeze was our QB, before the head honchos decided not to pay him. Reggie Busch is a home town boy. It is ok if you win though :)

I will post later about this evenings trainer appointment.


Vickie- I need to go to Target sometime this weekend. What juniors size in that jacket? I'll look for it.

shhh, nothing I HAVE to do today

The plan, is to take DQ to school and spend some much needed time cleaning up the house-bomb went off. Then paint the TV

I'm "recovering" from last nights swim class, which kicked my butt! For 45 min, we kicked with the kick boards, some time with flippers ( leg workout!!) and some without. The other 45 min, we reviewed Monday's side stroke and started in with free style. It was clear very quick that the way I was being taught at the Y, was incorrect and they way Rich and his mom tried to explain it was right, so I spent the majority of the time, trying to unlearn the wrong way. I do understand the roll over to breathe-just have to remember to stop breathing in once I roll my face back into the water :) !

I did have several episodes of leg shaking. I also felt out of energy. I did eat a scrambled egg before (well about 1 and a half hours). I need to figure this out! I will ask the trainer on Friday (I'm keeping a food log for him to review). This morning, I slept in till 8 and feel pretty tired.

When I go to the gym, I eat a half cup of yogurt with a 1/4 c granola or, now, Kashi (13g protein) mixed in and I feel fine the whole hour- I guess the hour isn't as tough as I might have thought. I will give that mixture a try Monday afternoon and see if it helps.

I do have an appointment on Friday evening with the trainer at the rehab sports performance center (discount for tri club members.) I looked him up and see he does have a dual B.S. in Exercise Kinesology (sp) and Nutrition. I talked to him over the phone and told him exactly what I was looking for-someone knowledgeable with knee issues, but still wanting to push hard- I need right knee as strong as possible before left knee's surgery, so right knee won't have issues being the weight bearer...
Along with that, I want to be in the best possible shape/lower weight, going into this surgery as possible as I know it will make a faster recovery!

We agreed on 4 visits with him and he will give me work outs I can use on my own at the gym- I do not want to actually work out one on one- most trainers I called would not do that. I figure I have about 8 weeks before they call to schedule for April.


I will check on dad, by phone in a bit and go down if needed. He shouldn't even of left the hospital yesterday! He was suppose to have someone there for a full 24hrs....Yes I do have every little thing chronicled- have talked at great length with dad and he agrees on most-not sure why he stays.....

Vickie, you could have an online etsy shop and sell those skirts! It is darling!!!
Very boutique-y looking! I will keep an eye out for you!

Weekend Recap

Woke up to a lil earth quake this morning.

If you haven't been in one, they can be a bit unsettling! The bed starts to shake and you start to wonder if it is the "big one" or will it stop soon. It stopped.

Dad is having surgery today, so I will be at the hospital most of this morning/afternoon, till he is in recovery and stable ( I have health care Power of Attorney). He is having his Hiatal Hernia fixed- The cause of his bleeding ulcers-his stomach goes up into his esophagus and that ulcerates it.

This hospital has a great salad bar. I will be packing some nuts and a banana. along with water and some tea.

On paper, this weekend look pretty easy. In reality, I ran out of time.

I went to the running store and at first didn't want to spend 80-100 on a pair of shoes. I went to two other "sports chains" and the teens selling shoes, really didn't know much-they did look on as I googled each pair to check if they were a Stability shoe or not... I decided the 80-100 didn't look too bad, as it was cheaper than a visit, potential cast fro a stress fracture, so back to the running store.

After trying on at least 10 pairs, I settled on a "Hybrid" Trail Running shoe.
No, I am not going to be running on any trails. I don't actually plan on actually running. The fitter suggested these as they are very stable and the balls and heels have air and cushion and will keep my knee aligned on the treadmill as well as help with shock absorbing for my knee..

I also had to clean up my back flower beds. They had turned into waterfalls during the rain and weeds were sprouted! Several of the plants are now leaned over.
We also had to shovel the mud off the grass and sidewalks. We used it to fill more sand bags, as it is suppose to rain for several days, later in the week.

I started the tv project. I was able to get the molding cut and nailed on. A few of the nails will need cut as it took a couple to figure the nail gun out :)
I added Crown to the top, rope trim to the sides and some tall base at the bottom.

It will look so much better when painted. I have it taped and ready to paint one day this week, when I have an hour or two. I did take during pictures and will post them altogether when done.

I did sneak away for a couple of hours with my friend that did the garage sale with me. She called Saturday and said the S.A thrift store had a half off sale.
She found a retro leather chair for her son who she is buying things for him to move out. I got a couple of blankets ( for the pups) and a skirt with the tags still attached ( olive green, top of knee, cargo pockets, thinking post op and being able to put things in the pockets while on crutches)

My brother and I also hit the Triathlon Expo on Friday. We came away with alot of samples. Several Cliff products, Kashi cereal, I won a t shirt and bought a new pair of swim goggles.

I did stop at a rehab booth ( I had talked to them Thursday night at the club meeting) The have a sports performance center attached to their PT practice. The do have classes too, I don't think they are right for me-boot camp style with cutting and running thru pylons-nope!. What I'm interested in, since they have both therapists and trainers, is seeing someone and paying for 1-2 visits for them to give me a workout, I can do at the gym, that will maximize what I can do to get stronger without injuring my knee and further before surgery, and getting the other one stronger. The workout the "trainer" gave me at the Y, is a disaster waiting to happen. I asked her last week to show me somethings that wouldn't put pressure on my knee and she said I'd have to see a trainer for that...What was she I asked- a "wellness coach" or a gym attendant that gives out a standard program to everyone-

I think it will be money well spent to see a trained and knowledgeable person! While at the booth, they gave me a coupon for a free evaluation, a free nutrition consult and all their classes are free this week, so I'll be calling today!

I'll have my phone to check in later.
Have a great Monday!

Shin Splints

I'm trying to avoid one!

Another body part was not happy after Monday's step class. My left shin. It ached a bit after that class.

Tuesday, before the Gravity Class, I did the elliptical for about 5 min and my shin started to throb. I did get off. I ended up having to iced it the rest of the day.

Last week, I had noticed the balls of my feet hurting while on the elliptical.

I decided yesterday, to go back to the running store and have my shoes and gait checked, because I remembered, they told me to come back and when I had it done, I was still hobbling from the knee surgery.

I told the guy what was happening and he filmed my gait and while watching, it was very clear that my foot rolls in. Which he said increases the chance of shin splints.

I did get fitted for one pair of stability shoes and then filmed again. Foot didn't turn anymore.

I did not buy shoes as I wanted to look in the clearance center (last years models, at least half price and usually just an "old color"), but needed to go pick DQ up from school and today is pay day, so I will be going back.

The running store also made me some "custom" insoles. They heat them then take your foot's impression, etc. Have you try them and if you don't like them, they flatten them out and you don't pay. They didn't feel any better than the super feet I already have. If you like them, they are $80. I think, it's time for me to make an appointment to get real inserts made for me (not sure who with, but will call PT at the HMO and ask them)

So, I looked up what to do with shin splints- the articles said cycling and swimming,
also, deep water running. I did see a class at the Y called Deep Water Sweat. I will be trying that...I had avoided it as it is in the outside pool, but now that I know I can handle a colder pool. I'm going