Reformed

I got reformed tonight. (THOUGHT BUBBLE: Is that re-formed as in my body was reformed, or is it I'm now a reformed exerciser? I'm not exactly sure) I tried out a free Pilates Reformer session at Crunch Gym. I spent about 50 minutes with Stephanie, a perky, reformed jewelry maker, who found that hunching over gemstones all day destroyed her posture and neck. She has since become a Pilates trainer.

The Reformer (THOUGHT BUBBLE: feels like Terminator) is used to help strengthen your core without doing tedious crunches. We started out with what I believe were some of the easier exercises. The focus was on form, rather than weight or reps--not surprising as this was originally developed for dancers. Stephanie was patient but firm, "what happened to your heels" she'd ask, apparently they dropped down a bit.

As I was going through the exercises focusing on breathing (harder than you think), I wasn't quite convinced that it would hold interest for me: it's expensive, can't be done on your own, and I'm not sure I would have the patience to follow through and then practice (floor mat only) on my own.

It's doubtful that I'll take any more classes, unless someone convinces me to join them in a small group class, but glad I got a chance to try the contraption that I read about in magazines all the time.

Life Changing: 1 (no)

Fun: 2 (bearable, but not fun)

Easy to implement: 4 (needs access to the dreaded reforminator)

Worthy of repetition: 2 (not sure)

Try This: 2 (I'll try almost anything once)

Cost: 1 (this time was free, but going forward it's pricey)

Different x2

Weekdays are tough, especially after having been off of work for 11 days over the holidays. So it was some kind of feat to do a little different today. Not only did I need to force myself out of my normal work day routine (butt planted firmly in chair from 8 to 5), but I had to play catch-up and think of something different to do.

New number 1: I got out at lunch. I realized that if I really want to try to do different things every day, I'm going to have to get gym time in before 7:30 or 8 at night, or I'll never leave my house. (5:30 a.m. is not an option) Luckily for me, my company is generous in that they underwrite a good portion of our gym membership to CRUNCH right around the corner from the office. At noon, I extricated myself from my desk and walked down to the gym to sign up. . I'm half way there!

This evening we deviated from our norm (make dinner, fall asleep in front of t.v.) and met friends at the new-ish Grand Tavern on Grand Avenue in Oakland. The atmosphere was "chill" with people hanging out, drinking beer at small, intimate tables and in the seats in front of the cozy fire place. Grand Tavern is in a renovated California Bungalow. The atmosphere is warm and friendly and the food is decent and well priced. As they just started opening on Mondays, the menu has been condensed to a short list of salads, a couple of signature dishes and burgers, but we all found something to eat and the food was nicely done. Dessert was delicious: a house-made pound cake (oh yes there was a pound of butter in that thing) with vanilla ice cream and fresh berries-YUM.

All in all a successful day. Tomorrow--CRUNCH!

• Life Changing: 2 (will depend on whether the gym membership produces results)
• Fun: 2 (is working out ever fun?)
• Easy to implement: 1 (easy)
• Worthy of repetition: 3 (time will tell)
• Try This: 3 (try this)
• Cost: 5 (the personal trainer sessions pushed it over the edge)