BUILDING A BETTER BEAR
by Buzzed Beef
Greetings Bears!! I have so much to talk about that I am not quite sure where to start. Perhaps I'll start with last Friday. You see, last Friday was my 35th birthday. Some would say a 'milestone birthday'. I didn't really celebrate it. A few very wonderful people in my life remembered and wished me regards for the day. I was ok with my birthday just sliding through, somewhat under the radar. I didn't want one single day to overshadow the progress I have made these last few months. I will never turn 35 ever again , and for this singular moment I was happier and more content than I have ever been in my life. That sounds hokey and cliche, but it was how I felt. I felt confident and self-assured, not cocky or arrogant, just placid. I felt like I am finally finding out where I belong.
The positivity I took away from the Hairrison Street Fair last Sunday did not sustain me as far into the week as I had hoped it would. My trainer was ill and not able to keep appointments and my workouts suffered. By Thursday, I was feeling sluggish and lethargic. Friday came around and everything turned around. I had a great day at work. I had a great boxing session. And I had an incredible chest and back workout with my trainer. My tanning salon even gave me a free upgrade to a better bed for my birthday.
Saturday morning I attended the Beginning Boxing Class again. It has been a couple months since I started the boxing lessons and I wanted to get a refresher course on proper hand wrapping and a good stance, hand position, and arm and foot movement and placement when throwing punches. I met with my trainer that afternoon and we worked my legs with a powerful Squat session. Three sets of warm-ups. Leg, chest, and neck stretches in between. Then I did 95 pounds for 8 squats followed by 135 lbs for 8 squats. More hamstring stretches...185 pounds for 6 reps...then a BIG Jump...225 for 2 reps...and then finally the Growth squat to end the session with an exclamation point....235 pounds for 1 rep.
Today I was a little grumpy when I got to the gym and was not in the mood to lift weights. I opted to get in a great Abdominal workout instead. I took it at a nice, slow pace and completed roman chair crunches, leg lifts, v-lifts, standing side crunches, and twists. I followed my abdominal workout with 20 minutes of cardio. The gym had a good energy today. There was a very sparse crowd, but everyone was friendly and talkative. Oh, and to my gym buddy Bill: Yes, you ARE Hot!
I want to wish everyone out there a "Happy Birthday", whenever it is. I may not be able to celebrate it with you, but I am honored that you were able to celebrate mine with me. We are all on our way to building (and being) a better bear.
Until next time,
Hugs (and licks if you want 'em)