While I work on my physical flexibility I am also working on mental flexibility. I have never been the person who easily adjusts when plans change, but I know with a baby on the way, I’d better start improving. This morning I arrived at the JCC in time for the 9am swim lesson, bags packed for my next two activities (I even remembered snacks) and realized I’d forgotten my swim suit. Ugh. I almost felt like crying but decided it simply wasn’t worth it so I took myself (dressed in Crocs and sweats) up to the gym floor and plopped down on an exercise bike. With my pants rolled up to the knees and feet strapped into the pedals, my makeshift workout attire was fine. I was really looking forward to today’s water class after thoroughly enjoying Tuesday’s class despite my cold, so it was a struggle to mentally move from water to spin. However, I found biking to be agreeable this morning and was actually happy to do something different. My hip felt good and I adjusted the bike seat so that my belly didn’t get bumped at all! I spun easily for 15 minutes, gradually increasing my speed, then tried to hit a button to see distance and accidentally reset the bike instead. Another Ugh. Instead of beginning again I decided I’d take advantage of the extra time before my Hebrew lesson to do some strength training and take a shower. (Yup, that’s me being flexible!) I sat on a big exercise ball and rolled around in circles, loosening my hips, then did several sets of squats with 3 lb dumbbells- presses, lifts, curls- trying to be creative and keep good form. I moved to the bosu for a set of crunches, then did side crunches and a couple sets of bird-dog. I rounded it out with more hip circles and a quick stretch. By the end of the workout my hip was bugging me again but after I returned home I realized that not only was I no longer waddling, but my hip felt fine- for the first time in several days!!
the workout: 15 minute bike, 2.6 miles, core/strength training
