Making Workouts Fun...

Workouts are a lot easier when they're fun!  For me, most workouts are fun, but I'll admit... sometimes it's just WORK.  Lately, I've been doing more fun workouts for my cardio, but my weight training will always feel like work.  I like it that way.   Today, I got a chance to do another fun workout in the form of a five mile hike with my dad.  I picked him up, and we headed to the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook... home of "The Beast".  I decided to give my knees a break and just walk up the trail to the top of the Overlook.  We went up and down twice.  It was still challenging, so I felt like I got a good workout.  The weather was nice, and I got to spend time "bonding" with my daddy.   The picture above is the two of us walking the trail.

 Daddy taking in the view at the top

After our hike, we had a nice breakfast and conversation.   It was a perfect Sunday morning!  Now I'm ready to tackle Monday!

Two-A-Days...

I know... long time, no blog!  LOL!  I've still been working it out, as always.  Last week I started doing two-a-day work outs.  Basically, that means I work out two hours a day.  Maybe I'll do an hour of weight training with Claudine, and then I'll do an hour of treadmill intervals on my own.  Or I'll work out with Claudine, and I'll do a Zumba class.  Three out of my six workout days I'll do a double workout.  Today, I just finished working out with Claudine.  We did a Strength Endurance Training (SET) workout, which is some cardio bursts with mostly weights.  When I finish blogging, I will get on the treadmill and walk on an incline while I watch Judge Judy on TiVo...

This weekend I attended my 20 year high school reunion.  I didn't lose the 20lbs I initially planned to lose before the reunion, but I trashed that plan a while ago.  I'm happy with how I looked at the reunion.  My class looked pretty good 20 years after the fact!  Here I am in my green dress & gold shoes (Thanks to my sister, Kimberly, for convincing me to buy the shoes a couple years ago!  They were perfect!)

I know this is a short post, but I have to jump on the treadmill!  Later!!!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

October 8, 2009
My Daddy's 66th Birthday

Happy birthday to the man of many names... Mr. Draper, William, Tony, Daddy, Pop, Grandpa, PaPa, T-Tone, Big Tub, Pop-Dukes, Buddy, Unc, Big Tone, Scoopy...... :-)

Sometimes it's hard to imagine that you were ever someone else besides "Daddy", but when you got the job, you ran with it... and never stopped! You somehow managed to find the right balance of unconditional love, compassion, strength, respect and fear (yes, fear!) to raise four children who are all grown up and absolutely adore you.

Yes, we can now laugh about all the whoopings, punishments, endless lectures, and, of course, the infamous "Pulling a T-Tone" events, because we know you did everything for our own good. Sure, we probably thought you were kinda crazy at the time, but we know why you did everything you did raising us. Watching you interact with people as we were growing up, watching the decisions you've made, watching you care about the well-being & education of every child, watching you take a stand-- not only for yourself but for friends, coworkers & even strangers, did not go unnoticed. We're better people for it today.

And now... as Grandpa and PaPa, you have taken it to a "whole...nutha... level!" I like to call it "T-Tone 2.0"... It's so much fun to watch you with David, Tyler, Gabrielle, Olivia, Isaiah & Zachary. I see them look at you the way we did 30+ years ago.... like you're Superman... because, to us, you always have been. Every morning when you wake up and walk 5 miles you give them a gift (and us too!) of a Grandpa/PaPa that will, God-willing, be around for a long, long time.

Thank you for being a daddy, a teacher, a disciplinarian, a leader, a strong man, a role model, and dare I say it.... now, a friend.... but ALWAYS a father first.

I love you!
Spunky (on behalf of Bodena, Dinky & Kimbo)

Zumba® — Ditch the workout, Join the party!

Soooo, it's been a while since I posted, but I've still been working hard!  Before I get into this Zumba business, I have to give my Daddy a big shout out for joining me this past Sunday morning at The BEAST!  I was soooo proud of him for climbing that stairway!  He'll be 66 on Thursday, and the brotha does not like climbing stairs!  He did a great job!

Okay, where was I.... on Monday, I decided to try a new workout... I went to a Zumba class at Bally Total Fitness.  The Zumba motto is: Ditch the workout, join the party!  I'm always in search of something new to do, and the treadmill does get boring sometimes.  Zumba is an hour of dancing... like, for real salsa/latin dancing moves.  I must admit, I'm not the most coordinated person in these types of classes, but I had a lot of fun.  My body doesn't want to move like a salsa dancer, so I have to work on that part.  A few things I took home from the class:
1. stand up front near the instructor...
2.  don't stand near folks who are even less coordinated than I am... wow, the girls near me had ZERO rhythm, which is not good if you're trying to keep up in Zumba!
and
3.  an hour of Zumba is a lot more fun than an hour on my treadmill or the elliptical machine!

I'll keep you posted!