Time and time again, I am reminded of the importance of saying "no".
I thought I had safely escaped the burnout danger zone, yet am reminded of my misdoings via a crippling sense of malaise - the demise of health and contravention of productivity.
By standing firm in the workplace, I've scantily avoided detrimental positioning in the corporation. In a personal setting, I've found myself once again committing to undertaking more than is sanely possible within the physical limitations of time and space.
I thought I had safely escaped the burnout danger zone, yet am reminded of my misdoings via a crippling sense of malaise - the demise of health and contravention of productivity.
By standing firm in the workplace, I've scantily avoided detrimental positioning in the corporation. In a personal setting, I've found myself once again committing to undertaking more than is sanely possible within the physical limitations of time and space.
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It ought be unsurprising that my weekdays are spent indoors, within close proximity of a brick of a laptop and absence of ergonomic office equipment. Meals of the week are rarely homecooked these days, as I've sought assistance from pre-packaged products and ready-to-eat varieties.
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On a comparatively calmer days, I take to maximizing oven efficiency by baking pizza, Miso & Yuzu Butter Cod, and Pesto Salmon. Pillsbury Gingerbread Cutouts replaced the painstaking process of crafting - and shifting! - overwhelmingly malleable ginger-people, proving crisp at its edges with a delicate, spiced chew at its core.
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Early in the week are a large Raisin Loaf, prosciutto, and a baguette acquired. I departed not for these components, but merely requested them from my (potentially) permanent second-floor post of misery.
We skeptically rebooted membership for the sport I had played for nearly half my existence prior to the pandemic shutdown. Coordination levels were not as poor as anticipated, though stamina had undoubtedly dwindled for the high-impact activity. Nonetheless, engaging in badminton again was the right decision, in spite of the torso pains that would ensue.
We skeptically rebooted membership for the sport I had played for nearly half my existence prior to the pandemic shutdown. Coordination levels were not as poor as anticipated, though stamina had undoubtedly dwindled for the high-impact activity. Nonetheless, engaging in badminton again was the right decision, in spite of the torso pains that would ensue.
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The following morning involved a dreadfully early drive to the northeast end of the GTA. Appointments had been scheduled well in advance, leaving my remaining itinerary items to fall outside of the allocated slots accordingly.
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Completion of one appointment commanded an Irish Cream Americano and Cranberry Bliss Bar for respective doses of caffeine and sugar. The former was passable: a tad sweet and unnecessarily milky; the latter emitted noticeable citrusy essences via threads of lemon zest and boasted a plentiful portion of cranberries. It was a delicious, festive treat, and one probable of being recreated in a more structured manner in the comfort of one's home (time-permitting, of course).
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A McChicken with extra lettuce and (free) Fries were procured through the new McD's rewards program, earning me enough points for redemption of a Latte or Cheeseburger.
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Fatigued yet fueled by my newly acquired Pump It Up! player card, plans to retreat home for a soothing shower were overthrown by a detour to The Rec Room.
Holiday shopping had commenced, making parking locating a tremendously torturous endeavour. Within the arcade an uncharacteristically low number of players. However, a sudden surge in underage visitors held me back in the queue. Some three hours later, my limbs had tired. It was time to call it a day
Holiday shopping had commenced, making parking locating a tremendously torturous endeavour. Within the arcade an uncharacteristically low number of players. However, a sudden surge in underage visitors held me back in the queue. Some three hours later, my limbs had tired. It was time to call it a day
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Sunday morning commenced with pilates, as it had for the past several weeks. The husband and wife duo made a second appearance, and talked about TV dinners while waiting for class to commence.
We would undertake the routine I now deem as the "Bosu Warmup Series":
The class did not utilize the Reformer Box nor the Cardio Tramp. We revisited the gear bar setting and stopper levels: 2nd and 3rd positions respectively for the average female student.
Lying down, face up, several hamstring and IT band stretches were conducted to awaken the thigh muscles and prevent injury. We were then instructed to thread the hand straps over the soles of the feet. Double Ds and double leg pulldowns with a fitness ring positioned between the legs were executed with two red springs. While the husband and I were to push out against the ring (tension for the outer thighs), the wife, whose feet revealed jutting out of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, had the ring placed between the calves for compression/inner thighs. The amount of tension was heavy to start and it grew increasingly difficult to keep the legs lowered beyond 90 degrees, resulting in sore hamstrings and glute muscles. Slow sideways scissors were used to stretch the legs.
Observations and personal experiences with this instructor have concluded her routines to comprise of moves summoning precision in alignment (critical, if you ask me) and incredible innovation in lower body exercises.
We would undertake the routine I now deem as the "Bosu Warmup Series":
- March x20 on each leg
- Run x20 on each leg
- Flying stretches x5 on each leg + hold on the last rep
The class did not utilize the Reformer Box nor the Cardio Tramp. We revisited the gear bar setting and stopper levels: 2nd and 3rd positions respectively for the average female student.
Lying down, face up, several hamstring and IT band stretches were conducted to awaken the thigh muscles and prevent injury. We were then instructed to thread the hand straps over the soles of the feet. Double Ds and double leg pulldowns with a fitness ring positioned between the legs were executed with two red springs. While the husband and I were to push out against the ring (tension for the outer thighs), the wife, whose feet revealed jutting out of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, had the ring placed between the calves for compression/inner thighs. The amount of tension was heavy to start and it grew increasingly difficult to keep the legs lowered beyond 90 degrees, resulting in sore hamstrings and glute muscles. Slow sideways scissors were used to stretch the legs.
Observations and personal experiences with this instructor have concluded her routines to comprise of moves summoning precision in alignment (critical, if you ask me) and incredible innovation in lower body exercises.
We transitioned to a kneeling position facing the footbar. With the pelvis in an imprint position, the hand straps were used for pullbacks for the shoulder and chest.
Kneeling position, imprint pelvis and pullback for pecs. While normally challenging for me, the set was particularly excruciating in the face of vibrating pains from badminton two nights prior.
Our final exercises were conducted standing perpendicular to the Reformer. With one foot placed on floor turned out at 45 degrees and the other calve on the Carriage against the shoulder rest, we began an inner thigh-targeting routine that I will likely remember for months to come. A total thigh killer, we first worked the inner thigh of the standing leg by bending and straightening the knee of the corresponding leg. In this position, we were warned to not "slide" the resting leg; the intent was to isolate one side before moving onto the other. We then progressed to a version of the move that would target the resting leg: keeping the standing leg extended, the leg on the Carriage would slide out and back in.
Kneeling position, imprint pelvis and pullback for pecs. While normally challenging for me, the set was particularly excruciating in the face of vibrating pains from badminton two nights prior.
Our final exercises were conducted standing perpendicular to the Reformer. With one foot placed on floor turned out at 45 degrees and the other calve on the Carriage against the shoulder rest, we began an inner thigh-targeting routine that I will likely remember for months to come. A total thigh killer, we first worked the inner thigh of the standing leg by bending and straightening the knee of the corresponding leg. In this position, we were warned to not "slide" the resting leg; the intent was to isolate one side before moving onto the other. We then progressed to a version of the move that would target the resting leg: keeping the standing leg extended, the leg on the Carriage would slide out and back in.
Stability, lifted chin, and tucked ribcage were pivotal components of form. I was not reminded to lift my chin any more than the other students this time, but keeping the ribs tucked into the spine was remarked of me more than once.
The cooldown involved a side stretch with legs in mermaid position, plus rotation towards footbar. The instructor noted that the hip was to be glued to the Carriage while the corresponding arm stretched over the body, though the hip could detach once rotated. This move completed triple duty as an oblique, leg, and spine release.
The cooldown involved a side stretch with legs in mermaid position, plus rotation towards footbar. The instructor noted that the hip was to be glued to the Carriage while the corresponding arm stretched over the body, though the hip could detach once rotated. This move completed triple duty as an oblique, leg, and spine release.
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