Some new developments

Unfortunately, I haven't ridden since my last post. I was supposed to ride another Walker much closer to me, but apparently she found someone to lease him (and didn't have the decency to return my e-mail..I had to call her.) I updated my CL ad...crossing my fingers I get a bite soon.

Since I'm not able to ride regularly, I've been doing whatever I can to get myself mentally and physically ready for when that time comes. For one thing, I've been taking Pilates classes at the Y. I really enjoy it even though it's challenging. I'll come right out and admit I cannot hold a "plank" to save my life, and even then I do the modified version (forearms on the mat instead of the palms supporting the upper body.) My poor, pathetic abs just can't handle it for more than 10 seconds or so. LOL. Yeah, just call me Flabby Gaby. ;-) (...My first name is Gabriella if you didn't get the "joke".)

Oh, and speaking of flabbiness and whatnot...I have to say that although my core definitely is a work in progress, my cardiovascular fitness is coming along nicely. I started out doing 20 minutes on the elliptical 3-4 days a week (or as much as my Chronic Fatigue will allow...insert eyeroll here.) 20 minutes may not seem like a lot, but I do interval training--3 minutes at a moderate speed, 2 minutes as absolutely fast as I can go, usually around 200 strides/min. So I do get a good workout even though the time is not that impressive yet. When I first started, I felt like I was about to die during those 2 minutes, but after a couple weeks, they're actually kinda fun. It's good for getting some pent-up anger out (especially at FLAKY people, grr.)

I decided to try to discipline myself to weigh myself only once a month, instead of nearly every day. This is going to be an exercise in self-discipline, but I think it's best so I don't obsess over 1 or 2 pounds. I'm also going to look into getting my body fat tested. Last time I checked (which was on a digital bathroom scale, so I don't know how accurate it was) I had 26% fat, which I believe is just a hair over the ideal range. I weighed about 15 lb. heavier then, so it's probably in the ideal range now. So anyway, here are my stats for August 1st:

Weight: 167.5
Size: 12...on a good day. ;-)

Goal:
Weight: 130.0
Size: solid 8
Body fat: well within ideal range

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I do weight training also. So I cover all three of the major components of fitness: flexibility/core strength (Pilates); cardio (Elliptical for now); and strength training. I had been alternating my upper and lower body, but since I only do two exercises for the lower body (leg press and lunges) I have started combining the two. Of course I leave a day in between in which I only do cardio. I've been making it to the gym at least 4 days a week now, which *I think* is great for someone who succumbed to exhaustion only a few weeks ago.

Now for a subject change, something that will be of interest to all riders who are serious about their sport. I remember reading awhile back about a study on basketball players that divided them into three groups; one group practiced 20 minutes daily, one group visualized their practice daily, and another group did nothing. At the end of the study period, the researchers measured each groups' performance. I forget how they measured--I think number of baskets scored, but I could be wrong. The point is that they found that the visualizers performed slightly better than the group that actually practiced! Now, I'm not saying we all should cut our riding back to one day a week and visualize instead, but 1.) this is GREAT news for those of us who don't get to ride regularly, and 2.) those who do ride regularly and utilize this tool will undoubtedly improve themselves and their horse/s exponentially! It also doubles as a mindfulness practice for those of you who are interested in it. FYI: there is more than one way to "meditate"!

So, every day for the past week or so, I've been visualizing myself riding. I've noticed that it's more difficult for me to stay focused when visualizing than when doing transcendental meditation, which typically involves repeating a word or phrase over and over silently to oneself, in time with the breath. My guess is that visualization is more difficult because I'm much more verbal than visual. Hence, it must be easier for my brain to focus on words rather than images. The other problem I have is that for some reason an image of the horse acting up pops in my head *every* time. Probably my fear cropping up, I imagine. I do make sure to visualize myself calmly correcting the behavior and moving on. I'm sure that in time it will become easier and easier to stay focused.