An Absolutely Exquisite Day…

Well, happy Saturday, everybody.  I hope that everyone’s having as great a weekend as I am, if not even better.

It’s been an unbelievably gorgeous day here.  The high was supposed to be about 80 and I suppose it got there, but we had a wonderful cool breeze all that kept the sunshine from being too warm.  It was just a perfect day, weather-wise, for about anything you wanted to do.  Unless, you know, you’re a duck.  Which I, of course, am not.  So I loved it.

I’ve had a great day in about every sense.  Mom and I have had more of a chance to chat than we’ve had in a long time.  There’s been no rush to anything, except for the time I was out and a little anxious about being away too long, but it was all right. 

I went out a little before noon because I had to go home and feed the animals.  YD was worried about her fish, because no one’s home to feed him.  So I ran home to feed him and the cat, and stopped on the way to get in some cardio.  I walked at a park not far from our house, for about 40 minutes.  It felt amazing.  Being out in the sun and actually getting to move was just fabulous.

Then I ran to the store for some things Mom wanted – went to Target first but they didn’t have everything she wanted so I had to brave the horrors of Redneck Hell, a/k/a Wal-Mart.  Shudder, cringe, and whimper.  But it could have been worse.  I made it out with everything she needed and most of my sanity, and I made it a point to bring a (seemingly sorely-needed) smile to the face of the poor cashier-trainee who checked me out.  That made me feel good…well, even more than I already did.   I was feeling very, very good. 

Mom and I both napped a little this afternoon after taking a turn around the outside of her building and sitting in the sunshine for a while.  She doesn’t get outside nearly enough, and she keeps the light level very low in her apartment (when I’m not here, that is!) and I think it impedes her healing process.  So I got her out for some yummy Vitamin-D and we had a nice time sitting and watching the boats on the river.

Then I made dinner for us both, and after some quiet time to let it digest, she played card games on the computer while I did my strength training.  My circuit, actually, sans bouncing/cardio.    For anyone who’s interested, here’s a typical circuit, with the cardio intervals left out – this is what I did tonight:

• Chest press w/hand weights – 3 sets of 10
• Squats, w/hand weights – 3 sets of 8 (I think I did 10 though)
• Chest fly w/hand weights – 3 sets of 10
• Wall squats, 1 minute – 3 sets
• Bench dips (body weight only) – 3 sets of 10
• Lying leg raises – 3 sets of 10
• Shoulder presses w/hand-weights – 3 sets of 10
• Basic crunch – 3 sets of 10
• Tricep kickbacks w/hand weights – 3 sets of 10
• Reverse crunches – 3 sets of 10

This is a typical level one beginner workout from Jillian Michaels’ website.  The circuits are supposed to include one minute cardio intervals, which rounds out a heck of a workout.  Even without the cardio, though, it’s an amazing strength workout.  As you progress, you add more reps and of course increase weights.  I’m just getting back to the circuits so I’m using 4-pound weights right now, but they are definitely too light.  I’ll be going up to 6-pounders as soon as I can get home to pick up my plates.

I also spent some time getting acquainted with my birthday present – my Blackberry.  I am still sick over having lost my cell phone, and will probably never stop wondering what happened to it – like I don’t know, because clearly someone picked it up and decided to keep it – but I have got to say, the replacement (courtesy of my too-wonderful-for-words DH) is the coolest thing on the planet.  Hands down.  I’m not entirely sure how I ever managed to live without it…

So that’s what I did today.  Food has been…intermittent.  Some good, some not so good.  But it’s improving, and I think if I get a handle on the exercise the food will get easier.

And now I’m off to read a little and then hit the sack.  One thing about it – I am finally, finally getting plenty of rest.    And enjoying the weekend a lot more than might be expected. 

Hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend, too!