In my last post, I discussed the exercise classes I have been taking to achieve one of my retirement goals. If I do say so myself, I am proud of my efforts. But it's not all peaches and cream.
Here are some random thoughts about my new experiences.
--Tai Chi is a very gentle class with many slow motions. However, my shoulders are getting tired even in there. The class uses no weights, but my shoulders get fatigued from holding my arms up a lot. It seems a little embarrassing to say that just 30 minutes of Tai Chi gives me a workout, but it does
--Speaking of shoulders, how can my right shoulder make so many cracks and pops with just one shoulder roll?
--Sometimes, like last Monday night, I just want the ballroom dance class to be over. Several people were absent, so I got individual attention from the instructor, but I still wasn't getting it. I found it uncomfortable and couldn't wait for the class to end. I learn academic things well, but not things that require coordination. There seems to be some nerve that is not completely connected from my brain to my legs. But I will keep going because I can only get better, right?
--I'm not sure that I have a clear image of what my body looks like. I've been getting more chances to see it because most of the classes have mirrors across the front. When I look in the mirror at home, I think I look rather squat with short legs. However, I think I look tall and thin in some of the classes. Others, not so much. (For the record, the charts put me at average height, weight, and BMI.) I think the class makeup is part of the reason for the different perceptions. The less intense classes have larger people in them. The more intense classes have, the more fit and thinner people in them.
--My perceptions of my feet have the same discordance as my body images. They don't look so big when I look down at them. But they look like big boats when I see them moving in the mirror. :)
--I have been very enthusiastic about getting focused and regular exercise for almost three weeks now, but today, I was wavering. I started telling myself excuses for why I didn't need to go to Tai Chi, but I went.
--I am shy in new situations, but I am starting to chat a bit with others in class. Maybe slowly but surely, I will make some new friends -especially since I don't have regular contact with my work friends anymore.
--I wish I had the discipline to do regular, comprehensive exercise at home, but in the past, that eluded me. So, the gym and outside classes seem to be the best things for me now.
I think maybe I'll give weekly reports here to keep myself honest.
So, until next time...
