foot cramps and difficulties

It was brought to my attention today - not for the first time, of course - that I am a "challenge". Apparently I am moody (pshaw!) and emotional (no way!). Hmph. I'm going to attempt to let this comment slide in light of the fact that it's the end of the day and frankly, it's probably at least somewhat true.

So I made my way back to the gym today - because yesterday's workout was so fabulous - and because Gregg says using and elliptical without arms isn't "really that good of a workout"...I opted for a different machine today - one that works out my skinny stringbean arms.

--- Side note. Is Gregg not the guy who just spent the better part of a month on crutches, a cane, or otherwise hobbled due to overexercise? Note to self - he may not be the best person from whom to take advice.

Back to things. I rode this machine - and it sucked the life out of me. I forgot, as it's been a *while* since I visited the gym on a regular basis, that there are 2 different types of ellipticals there with arm workouts. One is agonizing and the other is manageable. The one I selected falls into the agonizing category. Seriously. I can normally pull off a good 2.5 - 3.5 miles in 30 min - or maybe more like 1.95 or some such nonsense on this thing.

It's now in the vault - do not choose that machine again.

While I'm on the subject of the gym - I encountered something peculiar today. Something you should know before I dive in - I am a people-watcher. A quiet one. But I love it. So today I observed a group of very young boys - I'm guessing between 12 and 14, I suck at figuring out the ages of slightly pubescent boys - work out with a trainer. Hmm? Now, my gym is next to a HUGE indoor soccer facility - so obviously all the soccer-playing boys (and girls - gotta love the liberation in the current generation of kids - lucky) in that general vicinity work out there.

So what the hell were these boys so young that they had to get picked up afterwards doing with a trainer? I worked out with a trainer when I was in high school - AT school.

This puzzled me but was quite frankly a welcome distraction to the hell that was that horrible machine.

Now I'm sitting here listening to Music Choice - Adult Alternative again - with my foot cramping. Foot cramps are a little slice of torture. No one tells you when they give you glowing reviews of how wonderful it is to be pregnant (lies) that one of the fabulous side effects are cramps - in your feet, your calves, who the hell knows where else.

My carryover from my long-ago pregnancy (in addition to my "Mom bladder" and the "extra skin" G likes to point out) - a propensity for foot cramps, particularly if I don't drink excessively large quantities of water. Riddle me this - I average 4-6 meetings a DAY. I'd love to drink a lot of water but people frown upon my rushed exits in the midst of their babbling about some system that isn't working because we cheaped out and paid bare minimum for is back in 2003.

Oh well, usually guzzling some water (check) and walking around on the oddly shaped foot (check) does the trick.

That's my 2 cents for the day. Oh wait - while we're on the people-watching subject...this isn't a watching so much as a listening. There is a woman I work with, not in my location, who talks faster than I do. I didn't think this was possible but I literally was on the phone with her for 12 minutes yesterday and I don't think she breathed. I need that trick - it sure would help to be able to hold my breath for 12 minutes when I am on the cursed elliptical - it will prevent some of the huffing and puffing at least.

Well, my toothpick-sized knitting needles await me. My neighbor at work mentioned she's knitting socks, too. She's going the 4 double point needle route. I tried that. I have an AB (no, not a BA - not from Dartmouth!) and an MA in math and I swear it's too confusing to use 4 needles! I use the Magic Loop technique - we'll see how that goes when I get to the heel which, given how long it's taken me to knit 3/4 of a inch, may be around April 15th or so - tax time!

All right, my insane self and I sign off for now.

Thanks to my followers! I feel so cool! Love you all!! xxx