A Crazy Idea

I’m planning on getting a bicycle to get to work each day. That should cut a whole hour out of my commute and get me some great exercise. Then I got a notice that lululemon is holding a run clinic and free clothing as well as your entrance fee into the National Capital Race Weekend is included. Now, I hate running. I don’t really see the purpose of it unless you are being chased. That said, I love me some lululemon clothing (or as my scene partner for acting class so eloquently put it: “Girls love that shit”) So, after two email reminders about the clinic, and my old roommate letting me know that she has also started running on a regular basis, I went in yesterday to sign up.

That got me thinking (which usually isn’t a good idea because then I start doing things like “write a play”): well if I’m cycling and running, I would just have to add swimming to do a triathlon.

DINGDINGDINGDINGDING!!!

I looked it up and there is something called “Try a Tri” which takes place on September 1st as part of the Canadian Iron Distance Triathlon. It’s kind of a Triathlon for beginners: 200m swim, 15K bike ride, and 5K run.

And on September 1st, I will be in it.

And maybe this guy, if I can properly appeal to his love of all things spandex.

You Spin Me Right Round

While I have managed to get into pretty decent physical shape through Yoga (I have gotten really flexible and I don't think my tummy has ever been any flatter!), I realized that I needed to kick things up a notch through some intense cardio activity (especially if I want my tummy to go from flat to firm).

A few days ago, after a very long absence, I went back to a Body Combat class at the gym. On top of the increase in cardio activity, I felt it would be a great way to release some pent up aggression. There really is nothing quite like punching and kicking the living daylights out of the air in front of you to make you feel better. My form was absolutely terrible, but I did learn that I have one mean right hook. Beware if you ever cross me in a dark alley!

Yesterday, I decided to attend a Spin class. I knew I was probably in trouble when I showed up and everyone else had a fancy little towel on their bike and I didn't. The sweat was stinging my eyes, my throat was on fire with every breath, my lungs never seemed to get enough air, my calves screamed at me to stop and, today, my ass hurts like you would not believe. But you know what? I can't wait to go back and do it again. There was something incredibly exhilarating about pushing your body to what you think are its limits and then surprising yourself by surpassing them.

Is this what athletes feel like? No wonder they train so hard. This was one of the best highs I've ever felt. It's almost on par with that rush I get whenever I know I've done an awesome job performing a piece.

While I had started to do most of my Yoga exercises from home, for cardio, I need to be at the gym (yes, I could go jogging outside, but it's cold and there are wolves after me). With work, rehearsals, classes, and other stuff that inevitably pops up, I find it hard to schedule in the time. However, since this guy has work, rehearsals, his own company, a Fringe show and whatever else that inevitably pops up, and still manages to go to the gym EVERY SINGLE DAY (the bastard!), I think the least I can do is make an appearance at least three times a week... two with good behavior... ok, ok three.

Update on Physical Activity

Ok, so things got a little busy today. I ended up working the TV and VCR for the latest MOW auditions (this next one having the subtle title of "Stalked by a Madman" - I wonder what it's about?) and that took up the entirety of my day. I will shortly put up a post about working the other side of the camera, but I just wanted to confess to you all that I did not make it out to the gym today. And with a very busy day tomorrow as well (tying up loose ends for ACT classes starting this week and working behind the scenes for some commercial auditions), I doubt I'll be able to make it out tomorrow as well.

So what's the first thing I do when I get home after this long day lacking in a good sweat with the knowledge that tomorrow will be much of the same? I eat a giant piece of chocolate cake.

Lazy Ass 1
Fergie Abs 0

Oops

The Importance of Physical Activity

For quite some time, I had been going to the gym at least three times a week, had the occasional dance class on the weekend, and found myself on the go with a variety of different projects.

Then work came to a halt, disappointments abounded, and I found myself in a bit of a rut. Due to this shortage of work, I was unable to afford my dance lessons, I got a "little" depressed, and I was unmotivated to go to the gym.

What happens when you basically stop any and all physical activity?

I got a bad case of insomnia; my face started to massively break-out; I started feeling sluggish, tired, and cranky; I had trouble digesting my food; I felt bloated all the time; and I just wanted to stay in bed with a cup of tea, a bag of potato chips (dill pickle, please!), some chocolates, and the TV.

So basically, not partaking in daily physically activity is kind of like having PMS, 24/7, for a month. And who in their right mind would want that?

Well, the obvious answer is that I wasn't in my right mind at all. Duh!

What better time than after Thanksgiving, and all its food indulgences, to get back on the health horse?

Going to the gym tomorrow.

Run, Nancy, Run!

I hate jogging. I really do. I never saw the point in it. I mean, what's so fun about wearing yourself out around the canal? Why run if you're not even being chased?

But lately, something's been changing. There are moments here and there when I just feel an urge to run. There's a rumble in my stomach that just screams: "Run, Nancy, run!" And it's as if something IS chasing me... Maybe I'm just trying to run away from myself... good luck with that one :p

Once or twice it's happened when I was already at the gym and it was convenient to grab a treadmill. But most of the time, the rumble grabs me at very inopportune moments, like at 10pm when I'm in my pajamas or in the middle of the afternoon when I'm walking with five or more bags in my hands.

Now don't get me wrong (Karyn, I'm looking at you!), I don't think that I want to make jogging a regular part of my life. But maybe, just maybe, the next momentum will hit me at a time when I can actually go. Who knows?

Bless the Gym

My cousin's first wedding anniversary is coming up soon and it got me thinking.

Just last week, I got a body composition report done at the gym and they compared it to the one I did last year at around the same time.

My weight in August of last year: 153.6 lbs
Total Body Fat: 21.4% or 31.3 lbs
Total Body Water: 54.5%
BMI: 24

My weight in May of this year: 138.6 lbs.
Total Body Fat: 17.4% or 23.3 lbs.
Total Body Water: 56%
BMI: 21

My weight 2 months later (or last week): 136.5 lbs
Total Body Fat: 16.9% or 22.3 lbs
Total Body Water: 56.5%
BMI: 21

Damn! Those are some nice looking numbers. And during those last two months, I wasn't doing an intensive amount of exercise. This was all gradual. I'm curious to see where I'm going to be at in another two months.

By now, everyone who reads this knows I have some massive self-image issues. To prove it, I still see myself as I was last year. To that end, I went and dug up the pictures from my cousin's wedding where I was a bridesmaid:



And well, I guess you can see the difference in any one of the pictures below. So maybe I should start dropping osme of these self-image issues.

But I still hate my teeth, dammit!

Dancing with Myself

I started a new Ballet class at Dance/Space. I look forward tomore of it. I feel that this is definately going to help me connect movement and breath within my acting.

I also audited a great workshop with David Rotenberg. Unfortunately I had to wander from the class directly to background casting. Throw in a temporary job at Bluesfest and I've had a fairly busy weekend.

Saturday night I also made it out to Zaphod's with Karyn. Just when I was about to give Zaphod's the thumbs up again for actually having some good music, they throw in some stupid Madonna remix. Now, I like a bit of Madge or Esther or whatever she's calling herslef these days as much as the next guy, but that remix royally sucked. Either play Madonna, or play something else, but don't overlap it with some damn alternative song. All you end up doing is making two ok songs sound even worse.

Oh well, leaving for Toronto tomorrow morning. I'm getting new headshots done. I'll put up a selection for you to help me choose as soon as I get them.

Update

Ok, so the gym thing isn't going as well as planned, but I have gotten a preliminary press release done. I just have to type it and get some more info on the playwright, ect. And although I haven't cleaned EVERY room in the house, I have managed to clean the kitchen twice and half the living room. That counts right?

Now, to be fair, I was just informed today that I have an audition tomorrow afternoon, so I should just be happy I got anything done at all today. The show went well tonight and most of my friends came out and enjoyed themselves, which was really nice. As for Fringe, I wasn't too happy with things, but it was the first time we've attempted to run the whole thing instead of going through a bunch of disjointed scenes.

I'm lucky. I get to do something I really enjoy with my life. It's a lot of work, but it's work tha tI find more and more rewarding every day.

Could life get any better?

ME INC.

Alright, as a follow up to my last post, I've made a series of goals for myself that have to be accomplished by Sunday.

1. Go to the gym at least 3 times this week.
2. Clean one room of the house per day (yesterday was the kitchen)
3. Write up a preliminary press release for Head/Case
4. Send a headshot and resume package to at least 3 casting directors and 2 theatre companies.
5. Learn my lines for my upcoming workshop.

I will recap this list on Sunday and to see how well I did.