Now spring has definitely sprung (in fact its been more like equatorial summer sizzling the last few days, eh) it’s made me start to think about getting fitter (Hmm slightly dubious motivations, maybe instead- ‘eeek it’s inevitable that I’ll be showing more flesh now it’s hot). And so, I, along with many other red-faced lycra-clad(not me) loons, have been trying my hand (feet) at jogging in the local park. It’s proved a little problematic- as have all my attempts to get fit throughout history (e.g. Tussocks and twisted ankles etc etc etc).face=”Arial”> I’ve never been very gifted in the sporty department, there have been other attempts to bump up the quota of heart-beat racing activity in my weeks- and none have ended particularly well.
Like Yoga. With Kwali. A red-dreaded lovely who could bend all of her 5 ft frame into crazy, convoluted shapes that rendered her barely recognizable (though, even with my generous imagination not quite as the ‘crouching hidden tiger’ or some-such that she described each move as. I’m not very flexible. My fave bit of the sessions was whirling around as fast as you can, making yourself dizzy as a duck and then stopping and ‘grounding yourself to earth’- read: falling over. I blame Mrs. Medhurst and her pooch. A mad Mathilda-esque mammoth of a PE teacher with a totally disproportionately sized yapping Scottie-dog, who would weald her hockey stick round her head and roar at you if you didn’t leap up as if unharmed and raring to go, after decking it on astro-turf and carving a pizza-like graze on your knees… Arrrgggghh! The pain! The memories! What tortured youth is to blame for my laziness and lack of hand-eye-coordination!
Anyway, I think it’s time we invented some forms of exercise that actually are fun. Please write to me with suggestions of any you think might suit. So far, my friend Soph has my fave, but it’s only really possible in a closed bedroom with no one except a dear and forgiving friend present- its called the ‘crazy dance’ and involves none of the skills that say, ballet or jazz or contemporary-movement-style classes probably entail- it goes a little something like this: Pick some good cheesy tunes that you can also sing to- something like Blondie’s greatest hits seems like a good choice. Turn it up good. And get crazy- the looniest moves the better- works well with a floor length mirror to really appreciate your magic. Do you have any crazy dance equivalents? Tell me more! I’m doing myself an injury trying to run with the wind on Monday evenings!
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11 Responses to “The Laundry shapes up for the Summer (minus lycra and/or painful escapades-please)”
Posted: Apr 24th, 2007 at 8:19 am
I’ve seen some interesting ‘get fit’ quick ideas on my travels; one was just last night when I saw a demonstration of what I believe was called a POWER ball. As far as I know it’s just a ball, that you put in your hand and shake. Apparently it works out the upper body. Wouldn’t do it in public, rude gestures and all that…
Another good one is the wobble stick (actual name unknown) which when you shake it wobbles off your wobbly bits. Ooh and then there’s the vibrating plate, on which you just perch whatever part of the body you want to work out. So just sit back, relax, and enjoy a firmer bum.
In fact, that gives me an idea… A vibrating office chair! While you work you can work out! Oh here comes multiple fitness related businesses all clamoring to take up my idea…
John
Posted: Apr 26th, 2007 at 8:50 am
I can’t help but feel Soph is not utilising all of the exercise opportunities being in bedroom with a loved one has to offer!
I am of course referring to Speed Stacking. The sport of stacking cups in a number of predefined ways in the quickest time possible.
To see the world record being broken please follow the below link:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8602472107022912201
Posted: Apr 26th, 2007 at 9:00 am
I’ve got fit just by walking up and down the escalators instead of standing at the tude.
Posted: Apr 26th, 2007 at 9:03 am
You’re a braver (and fitter!) woman than me Annabelle - mind you, which tube escalator do you walk up? For maximum exercise potential, go to Angel, reputedly the longest escalators in London! Or take the stairs at Covent Garden, seems a great way to escape the lifts but isn’t by the time you’re half way up…
Posted: Apr 26th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Ed is that cup girl for real? Or have they done some crazy clever editing where her head looks real-time and her hands are going like clockwork?!
Either way, I’m in!- get me some slimmer wrists for the summer!!
Posted: Apr 26th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
have to tell you about my school’s sports ideas. Being the Francis Holland off Sloane Square, it was home to some very affluent and lazy young ladies. By Sixth Form, there was no way hockey was going to be tolerated by these ‘young ladies’, and record numbers of sick notes were produced in these years. To counteract this trend, the school started to offer the following ’sports’ to the sixth form only: ten pin bowling, go cart racing, water aerobics, gym (e.g running machines, and weights), jazz and choreography, and; your PADY scuba licence. It certainly worked, none of the sixth form ever took PE off ever again! I did my PADY licence and am truly glad I did, have used it as far away as South Africa and New Zealand. I have still to realise the physical impact of ten pin bowling and go cart racing, however! But I have to say, is still one of the most attractive ’sports’ ranges offered by any inner London school that I have seen.
Posted: Apr 26th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Schooling off Sloane Square - just imagine - woo
Posted: Apr 26th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
I’m pretty fit anyway so don’t feel the need to join in this debate.
Posted: Apr 26th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
That’s just showing off. Go run up a tube escalator to prove your fitness!
Posted: Apr 26th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Just done it. Did you see? Not even out of breath
Posted: Sep 6th, 2007 at 8:27 am
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