Exercise and Leather Pants

[cjsmith]

Last few days, I've been eating a little less, in a halfhearted attempt to fit back into a lovely pair of black leather pants waiting in my closet. But I think I'll need a better plan than that.

The pants really are quite nice. Black, full-length lined leather pants. Mmmm yum. I have lovely memories of events to which I wore these. Originally got them from a coworker because she'd outgrown them. The price was right. They turned out to fit me beautifully. Deal! :-)

But now I'm just a leeeetle bit bigger than I was then. I can still get them on, but they're not comfy. If they weren't lined, I'd just let 'em stretch, but they are. Most everything else I wore five years ago has either stretched, was loose enough to begin with, or has been discarded. But I am NOT about to go pay $gazillions to replace these pants if a little effort will make them work again.

I need about one inch less in the hips, and a proportionately smaller reduction in the thigh. Waist had better not get any smaller; I just started fitting into adult belts. Losing a little padding or converting to muscle will do it. This SHOULDN'T be too hard...

Just talked to my housemate. He says reducing caloric intake is, in his experience, very slow. Metabolism just goes into standby mode. Bummer! I don't want that. Sooooooooo I need exercise. That's too bad; reducing caloric intake is (for me) a whole lot easier. It doesn't cost money and it doesn't take time! But exercise...

Currently, my once-or-twice-a-week hiking has shut down for the winter. Dratted time change. My arm exercises with weights are NOT serious calorie burners. Experiments show that sex isn't reducing my hip size. I'll need something that is, ideally:
- fun to do, or at least unboring enough to take my mind off the exertion
- not very hard on knees
- doable without specialized equipment
- unscheduled (no team activities)
- not an amazing time hog

Tall order.

Comments

[portia.livejournal.com]

I'll need something that is, ideally:
- fun to do, or at least unboring enough to take my mind off the exertion
- not very hard on knees
- doable without specialized equipment
- unscheduled (no team activities)
- not an amazing time hog

If you figure it out, PLEASE let me know!

[hopeforyou.livejournal.com]

How about bellydancing? =) Hang out with a pile of cute bi and lesbian girls and shake it, or do it yourself in your own home? I've heard yoga is pretty good, too.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

How about bellydancing? =) Hang out with a pile of cute bi and lesbian girls and shake it, or do it yourself in your own home?

Cute bi and lesbian girls? Where do I sign up? ;-)

I've thought of learning bellydancing before. Never got up the gumption.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

If you figure it out, PLEASE let me know!

There's swimming, but I would HAVE TO cut my hair. It has enough problems without a daily chlorine dose.

Hmm, long hair or leather pants? The girl-next-door look or the girl-you-want-on-your-motorcycle-with-you look? ;-)

dancing???

[cassidyrose.livejournal.com]

Well, in addition to the dance classes i take in San Jose, I am now attending a semi-monthly hip-hop class in San Francisco at the Dance Mission....It is mostly geared towards beginners/non-dancers, but I still manage to get quite a work out. It is also one of the first classes of its kind to be for larger women (and their friends, which is the category you would fit into). Also, as it is designed for women who are larger than average, it is *much* easier on the knees than some other hip-hop classes I have attended.

If you are interested in strength training at all, I would highly recommend the Body Shaping classes offered at Studio 10 Dance (http://www.studio10dance.com/). Not only do you get a good work-out (some of which is cardio-like) the instructor is an awesome personal trainer and he is always willing to talk to students in his classes about their personal goals and what they can do to try to achieve them.

I know these are scheduled activities, but they are not team-related so your attendance (or lack thereof) doesn't really affect anyone.

Re: dancing???

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

If you are interested in strength training at all, I would highly recommend the Body Shaping classes offered at Studio 10 Dance.

Hmm. That one is probably within easy driving distance. Thanks, I'll take a look!

[abz6598.livejournal.com]

I'll need something that is, ideally:
- fun to do, or at least unboring enough to take my mind off the exertion
- not very hard on knees
- doable without specialized equipment
- unscheduled (no team activities)
- not an amazing time hog

Well...I could suggest something but it's kind of a team activity..usually requires one other person for optimum results. Specialized equipment, while usually rather enjoyable, isnt mandatory. And it isnt too hard on the knees (at times).

;)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I spend a fair amount of time on that particular activity but I ain't shrinking. Gotta find ways for it to use more of the major muscle groups at once. Bonus to this one is that I already own quite a bit of specialized equipment ;-) so there's no new financial cost.

[joedecker.livejournal.com]

The pants really are quite nice. Black, full-length lined leather pants. Mmmm yum. I have lovely memories of events to which I wore these. Originally got them from a coworker ...

Ahhh, those leather pants. :)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yes. Those.

Like I said about the fond memories... :-)

[joedecker.livejournal.com]

:)

[kimatha.livejournal.com]

I can't think of anything that fits every requirement... jogging, my favorite, is hard on the knees (though that can be minimized with a good pair of running shoes, plus walking the downhill sections, which are way more stressful on knees than flats or uphills), and in-line skating requires in-line skates and protective gear - at the very least, knee pads. Still, in-line skating is SO much fun, low impact, and yet such an amazing workout that I'd recommend you rent some skates and try it.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Even WALKING downhill (at least for a cumulative two miles or so) takes my knees totally out of commission. I'd really like to strengthen those joints (and maybe start a glucosamine / chondroitin regimen) so I can be a decent backpacker.

BTW, what do you do in the winter or in heavy rain?

[firecat]

If it were me, I would just cut the lining out of the pants. ;-)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

That is definitely the most practical answer! 8-) And a good backup plan, too, if I continue to be as undisciplined about exercise as I have been the whole rest of my life. (except the army. that doesn't count.)

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Is it too late to re-enlist? ;)

(Kidding, really -- now isn't a healthy time. . . .)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Well, soldiers at least get to shoot BACK.

*sigh*