Make that, the treadmill and his various and sundry cousins, the elliptical, step aerobics, yoga ... what else have I done in the past year ... BOSU (that ball's a dictator) ...

It's been I love to hate it, but still go.

Or, I hate to love it, and go.

After the separation from my former husband, when I saw that almost everything I knew to be true was not, and almost my entire worldview had shifted, I started looking at a lot of things differently. One of those minor things was my body.

It was a little neglected, in the way that 6 months of not eating and nearly constant, stress induced vomiting will do to you. It was time to watch what I put in my mouth (and make sure something was being eaten) and work on developing some muscle tone.

I started to watch "Biggest Loser" for nutrient filled diet tips, because I'm pretty sure my diet of Starbuck's in the morning and maybe an afternoon Taco Bell Soft Taco wasn't going to sustain me. (Yeah, I don't know how I didn't gain weight on that diet either, but I'm starting to learn a little about what your body does chemically when it's really stressed).

And, this is such a minor, delicious part of this story, I bought an I Pod. It was the first little purchase I made all for myself, and I sat in my tiny, tiny, Lilliputian basement apartment, with a borrowed bed, a borrowed tv, borrowed lots of stuff (except for the kitchen appliances and the couch, which I refused to forfeit), playing with this marvelous little toy.

You know what? I find the elliptical incredibly, horribly, boring. Bored to tears boring. And Apple's little miracle helped curb that.

If I could build it a shrine, I think I would. Only, that violates one of the Big 10. So I probably won't. But. Ever since it's introduction into my life, I have been on the quest for the perfect cardio playlist. It's taken hours of my life. Fiddling. Browsing. Timing good warm up songs to good stride songs to good cool down songs.

What can I say. Newly single, childless ladies sometimes have a lot of time on their hands.

My problem now is that I don't have hours to give it anymore. And I don't spend hours at the gym, either, because two-years-post-divorce life is very different than 6-months-post-separation life.

Thank God. That's the subject of a different post, however.

But it needs some attention. The I Pod. Badly. Last night, out of desperation, oh goodness, I can't believe I'm admitting this, I downloaded the first season of Glee and worked out today to that.

So, in the spirit of honesty and honoring my true self, I must admit that I need help.

Help!

Any ideas, songs, albums, podcasts that keep you motivated to keep going, please, PLEASE let me know. I have to turn this thing around ...

7 comments

  1. Anonymous on January 24, 2010 at 8:54 PM

    So many good tunes to play! Let me look my list this weekend and send what I think are good. It may be diff than your taste but we'll see!

     
  2. Elizabeth on January 24, 2010 at 10:34 PM

    Not my steppin stone--the Monkeys
    Magic Dance--David Bowie (from Labyrinth)
    I Gotta Feelin--Black Eyed Peas
    When I'm sixty-four--The Beatles
    Time Warp--Rocky Horror Picture Show
    The Grease Mega Mix
    Rodeo--Garth Brooks

     
  3. t i m on January 26, 2010 at 4:20 PM

    Try to pick tracks with a similar tempo, not too fast & too slow e.g.

    OK Go - Here It Goes Again
    Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks

    I run to various BBC radio comedy podcasts but I'm pretty sure they're not available on the US iTunes.

     
  4. Lisa on January 27, 2010 at 3:20 PM

    Elizabeth, I can do almost that entire list, except for the Black Eyed Peas. ;)

    Marie, my music tastes are deep and wide - I look forward to whatever you suggest!

    Tim, I need to look those up, but I trust you. And yes, I've heard that the BBC comedy shows are much funnier than the American shows. But, really. No surprise there. ;)

     
  5. Maria on January 28, 2010 at 5:39 PM

    Ok, my original I-pod I accidentaly left in workout shorts and it went thru the wash. So, my new one has only some of the songs I had. The good ones;
    Jagged Edge-lets get married
    AHA-take on me
    Tegan and Sarah-Walking with a ghost
    Cyndi Lauper-Time after time
    Mary J Blige-I am
    Jo Jo-get out
    Trick Daddy-Suger on my tongue

     
  6. Paulette Harper on January 29, 2010 at 10:49 AM

    George Winston Piano solos--particularly, and rather appropriately, "Winter Into Spring"...are we there yet? teehee

     
  7. Lisa on January 29, 2010 at 12:15 PM

    Marie, those are fantastic suggestions. I see a couple of definitelys and a couple of look ups. Thanks for sharing!

    Paulette, how did you know I was a huge Winston fan? I LOVE December, but will definitely look up Winter Into Spring.

     


Post a Comment