Weird questions

Last week while killing time waiting for BJam class to start, I watched Tomb Raider on my ipod. One gym fella aka Twister came up to me and asked what can I learn from watching this movie. He asked is it learning to fight, is it gaining muscles, yada yada yada. I told him politely that it was just for pure entertainment purposes...

Yesterday this same chap, out of nowhere, asked if I have ever joined the army before...

What???

Maybe I am so blardy good in BCombat that prompted him to ask me this?? *grin* *grin*

Can smile?

Gym log

I try to refrain from flashing smiles during BPump class these days for fear that FPI aka Ms. Eagle Eyes thinks I'm not carrying heavy enough. But seriously, even if I'm dead tired during class, I think I would still be able manage a smile or two. In last week's class, FPI asked why such a serious face....not sure if the question was intended for me but she definitely was looking at my direction. But then again, I try not to look so damn serious in class to the point that instructors think I'm about to bite off their heads.

Sometimes I just like to amuse myself by smiling. Sometimes I smile because I knew I made a blunder. Sometimes certain exercise movements are just downright ridiculous that I have to smile....as in Mr. Yoga's class.

One thing is for sure...you will never catch me smiling during Shoulder Track in BPump. That is where I draw the line. I always smile in BJam though....must be all those spinnings that made the smiles come out automatically.

A pretty productive weekend

I finally found time to clean my apt and do my laundry over the weekend. Now my living room and kitchen look presentable again. No more dirty dishes on the sink. I can finally see my sofa again. Dragged my feet downstairs to check my mailbox which has 2 weeks of uncollected mails. Was able to attend all 4 gym classes too and I enjoyed the new releases even better. Didn't have to help out my sis in her biz so I have the luxury of waking up late and recharging a sleep deprived body.

Oh...and something which I haven't done in ages...I managed to watch dvd...2 movies somemore, Pirates of the Carribean - Curse of the Black Pearl (yes, I know the new trilogy just came out) and also Don't Say A Word (starring Micheal Douglas). OK, don't laugh but I must admit, I am pretty outdated these days when it comes to the latest box office movies. Felt sleepy halfway thru watching POTC so I took a rare evening nap.....either that movie was boring or I was just plain tired after my Jam class. Continued watching POTC later that nite.

In between I was able to whip up some homecook meals.....nothing fancy but edible...for me, at least. Yes, indeed, this has been one of those rare weekends where I have all the time to myself and it's up to me what I wanted to do.

......

Not much mood to write or do anything. Been getting max 2-3 hours sleep every nite since Monday due to office work and helping out sis with her new venture. Was insane to squeeze in gym in between. Now I'm feeling the toll.

Q2 Release Verdict - Part III & Final

Gym log.

I wasn't gonna blog on the new Body Balance release but then, I guess my review won't be complete without this.

I was a little disappointed that FBI aka Ms. MIA wasn't doing the class, instead she was replaced by another instructor whom I've not heard before. There were only 5 of us in the class...the smallest class I've ever attended in FBI's slot. Kelly said she's gonna scold FBI next week :)

Body Balance 37 starts off with tai chi that has plenty of hand blocks and swings. Sun salutation follows next with excessive lunges stretching. I was grimacing a little cos my legs are still sore from previous BPump lunges. Standing strength is probably the only track in this entire new release which I found challenging. This track has a bit of attitude to go along with the challenge. DHT's Listen To Your Heart balance track focuses a lot on Tree Pose. There was a moment where we had to do tree pose with toes up.......are you kidding me?

It was then followed by hip stretching in this John Mayer's track. We then work the abdominals which honestly, I thought I was working the hip more than my abs. I guess I wasn't doing it right. Mid-back track was a welcome change but again, it was real simple. This was followed by stand split pose which again probably stressed a bit more on the standing strength and one's flexibility.

Overall, I'm disappointed with Body Balance 37. I had expected more especially since the last 2 releases were challenging.

In keeping with tradition

During crazy times come crazy thoughts. Crazy thoughts may very well end up as crazy decision. I am very tempted to pay my homeboy a visit when I am back in town. Paying a visit doesn't necessarily mean I'll do it though....hmmm...who knows, maybe I'll end up with that crazy decision after all.

If I'm gonna get it, may as well get it from the best rite?

Check out his work at http://www.borneoheadhunter.com/.

What were you thinking? *eyes rolling*

Q2 Release Verdict - Part II

Gym Log.

I tried out the new release yesterday. BodyPump 62 does offer slight variations in the moves particularly in tricep, lunges and shoulder tracks. Warm up starts off with Jackie Rawe's I Believe In Dreams, which I find no different from past warm ups. I did however get a little correction notification from FPI aka Ms.Eagle Eye, despite standing at the far end corner, hiding behind a taller member....bleh!

A lot of bottom halves in the Squat. There are plenty of slow movements in Bob Sinclair's Rock This Party chest track. I kept visualising the reality show 'So You Think You Can Dance" while pumping chest. *grin* Actually this track makes me wanna get up and dance rather than lie down doing chest.

Back track is split into 2 recovery sets with plenty of deadlifts in between. Tricep in this new release is a killer with a combination of extension and something called pulldown. As if that wasn't enough..we have the french press... carrying the weight over the head. Normally I would go with 5kg but this time I chickened out with a mere 2.5kg. Luckily no reaction from FPI. Then....as if the torture wasn't enough here, we have the tricep pushups in the end.....oh mama!

Lunges track is another killer with backward stepping on the bench, with and without bars. Halfway thru I was ready to cry. At this point, trying to keep myself balanced with knees bent, one foot on the bench, other foot coming up to the bench heels up while doing singles, became a challenge. They refer to this as the grandmother of all lunges. If you don't feel a burn in your legs by the end, I think you have plastic legs la. My least favorite, the Shoulder track, is full of intensity, as usual. I ended up muttering f@*! to myself towards the end. In the abs tracks, there are plenty of leg extension and slow motion crunches. Too slow for my liking but it is nice to use that as a breather. I'm not exactly sure what we are supposed to feel here because I felt nothing. I'm so used to the fast paced crunches during BCombat.

Body Pump 62 is definitely at its best with this new release but dare I even imagine doing this for the next 2-3 weeks?? Hmmmm........

Q2 Release Verdict - Part I

I chickened out of the Launch last Thursday.


No la............truth is, I overslept.

___________________________________________________
Gym log.

My view on Body Combat and Body Jam new releases.

The first three tracks in Body Combat 32 got me a little confused. School's Out by Krokus was something I had never seen before. Took me a while to get used to the foot coordination and muay thai moves. I think a lot of members were left with "huh?", "what was that?"...

Power training then kicks in with focus on shoulders. Being a regular to the gym, I thought my stamina level was pretty good but I was left gasping for air early in the class. I cannot imagine FCI's class later...maybe need oxygen tank on standby. I guess FCI wasn't kidding when she said new release is tough. Evasive sidekick is back again in this new release and I must say I love this. Pink's Track 6 has a taste of karate moves which is pretty awesome. The abs track was pretty short with usual tricep and bicep pushups followed by some unusual weird stupid looking butt workout. Hey, even the instructor said don't laugh. Overall, love BC32 better than the previous release.

As the folks at McDonald's would put it....I'm lovin' it. Body Jam 41 is simple from start to finish. Very little spinning, thank god for that. The warm up starts with Watchin' by Freemason feat. Amanda Wilson. The oldskool blocks (Tracks 3-5) has a series of head turning moves. Up next is Latin with Ricky Martin's La Bomba. The moves are simple and easy to follow but as the footwork turns into quck steps, it can get a little challenging. Need some practice here.

Basement Jaxx's Good Luck feat Lisa Kekaula is probably my favorite in this trash jam and krump track. It has a touch of capoiera jinga but unlike Body Combat, in Body Jam they do it with STYLE. Absolutely love this one. So cool. I think any fellow combateers in Jam would love this too. Probably the only track besides warm up and cool down which I can do effortlessly. Makes me wanna do this track over and over again.

The next few tracks features Cassie, Fedde Le Grand and Gwen Stefani in recovery and house tracks. The class ended with Jay-Z feat Beyonce as cool down. Simple choreo, easy to learn, great for first timers.

Next in line...my verdict for Body Pump 62 and Body Balance 37.

To gym or not to gym?

Left office at 6am this morning. Tired. Sleepy. Hit the bed as soon as I reached home. Managed to sleep for 1 hour before the alarm went off at 7.45am. Rushed back to the office. Was supposed to take the rest of the day off after tender submission but decided I'll take my bookoff tomorrow instead. Half day wasted already today.

Question now...I can't decide if I wanna attend today's BPump launch. Can't decide if I even wanna step into gym. Don't feel like going for Mr. Yoga's class...I fear I may fall deep asleep during meditation later.....better save myself from the embarrassment by not going.

Can't decide. Can't think.

I think I'll go home now and grab another hour of sleep before I make up my mind. Didn't want to sleep too long during daytime as I may mess up my sleeping pattern at nite. Didn't want to turn into a couch potato eitiher.

How now brown cow?

Eagle Eyes

Been busy with work so this will be short and sweeettt.

Gym log.

FPI looked straight into my direction and said "keep your focus....."

Errrrr....was I even losing it? I thought I was doing pretty good. I did look down for a few quick seconds....probably my eyes were looking elsewhere besides her :-) She picked that up?? Hmmm....so, I did what I always do best...flashed a "I'm guilty...you caught me" smile at her. She chuckled.

Chest track was no better. Ok, last week I "cheated"...a little....but this week I was pumping it non stop. But FPI was still eyeing me.....damn, next time must choose a place further away from her gaze. I am so hating bottom halves now. It's not doing me justice. Surprisingly, lunges was a breeze though...somemore with 1.5kg added to my usual weights. I used to hate lunges, now I'm loving it...that's excluding the usage of stepboard though...that one, I'm hating it. That really kills.

Before the start of the class, one newbie approached me to ask for advice on the equipment and right weight to take. Wah....ahem.....very happy to impart some knowledge onto others :-)

Earlier on I had attended BCombat. I was wrong about missing monday nites pump this month. Instead, I will be missing all of FCI's BCombat class this week...perhaps next week too ?? :-( So, I decided to attend yesterday's Combat under 2nd FCI. Nothing much to say about this except I find it slightly uncomfortable being under the watchful eyes of a certain person so lapses of concentration tend to kick in. *raised eyebrow*

Last Sat, FCI asked if I was going to the MIRACLE '07 event this coming Saturday as she will be taking part in the Tribal Challenge. Out of politeness, I told her I wasn't sure yet. I think she can gauge the truth as my response was full of "errrr....ahhhh....hmmmm....". Sorry la FCI...I know this is for charity but I don't think I'm about to throw myself into the foreseeable traffic jam and the headache of looking for a parking space....unless someone else volunteers to drive :-). Anyway, FCI...I will support you from afar *wink*.

I am also considering attending my first ever BPump launch this coming Thursday. Sorry Mr. Yoga, I will have to miss class this week. Besides, yoga is getting easier these days that I don't find it challenging anymore. Alright.....fine......yoga is supposed to be relaxing.

A crazy funny thought came into my mind this morning as I was getting dressed for work. I was actually thinking of becoming a Step instructor....then I pinch myself back into reality....hmmm....very ambitious indeed...never attended a single Step class and yet dare to think of becoming an instructor :-)

I promise I will be more hard working

Gym log.

Made my way to the gym yesterday for usual BPump class. I may be missing a series of monday nite pump this month so I figure, while can go, better go. Arrived at the gym so much earlier than usual. Didn't know what to do....didn't see any familiar faces around...no one to chat with...so finally decided to get on the Cardio Wave instead. Set the machine for 15mins. This clever machine suddenly jumped from Level 1 to Level 16 in a flash...fuyoo..think I'm super woman isit?.

2 mins in...and I was already tired. Didn't want to over exercise...need to conserve some energy for BPump later. Was contemplating changing to the easier elliptical machine but then, felt very pai seh to change machines halfway. So, like it or not, continued on the same machine...everytime the machine jumped to higher levels, I quickly pressed back to Level 1 :-)....hey, there's only so much calories I can afford to burn in a day.

Stepped down 2 mins before the time was up...beh tahan already. Walked up to the Main Studio area and then I saw a guy whom another gym mate had cleverly nicknamed Twister cos he likes to turn a lot. Gave him a nod and a smile. Felt a little guilty cos I totally ignored him the last time he tried to talk to me. Not that I did it intentionally....half the time I had no idea what he was talking about. Anyway, I chatted with Twister...then halfway politely told him that my canto is really bad....he apologised and spoke in English...for a while....then it was back to canto...hmmm. He gave me his biz card....I took a glance at it...eh....wait a minute, I thought FPI said this guy owned a business selling drinks?? Or did I hear wrongly?? The card said differently leh. Oh well....BCombat class ended....great timing...I quickly excused myself.

BPump wasn't full...quite a number of usual suspects didn't turn up. I had thoughts of carrying heavier which meant I needed the longer bar...but then...all were taken up. No choice..had to use the normal bar. Everything went well.....and then....Track 3, chest track. A lot of bottom halves and even though I wasn't feeling tired, I was a little slow to keep up with FPI at that point...so halfway I "curi tulang" a bit...a bit only la.... while waiting for the next move. Mana tau...she stole one glance at me and caught me. Sorwee..won't happen again ya. Felt guilty, so flashed one big smile at her. Alas.....from there on, her eyes were on me throughout the entire track. Pai seh.

Turned serious for the remaining tracks. No more flashing smiles. I think doing cardio wave before class wasn't a bad idea cos the Lunges track seemed like a piece of cake to me. Anyway, came time to Shoulder track, which I had to stop few times cos the damn plates kept slipping. It may look like I "curi ayam" again but no la....I was just re-adjusting the plates to fit my little fingers. Sigh...this always happen.

I wondered how come I hardly feel sore after FPI's class but I do during my other BPump class...strange. Next week (if I can come) must make sure I am more serious and more focused....hang on...isn't that's what I tell myself week after week?? Duh!

So Slooooww

On Saturday, went to LCCT to see my mom, sis and little nephew off. Mom was here for 2 weeks. Sis brought little nephew back to see his other grandparents. Little nephew couldn't comprehend that he was actually going into an aeroplane....he thought it was just another day out :-)

The terminal was packed with humans. Long queues everywhere. Only 2 counters were opened for flight AK5210 and I swore, the tellers were working at snails pace...you think they would open more counters during school holiday season....sheesh.

We queued for almost a staggering 40mins before it was our turn to check-in. A group of students in front of us with overweight baggages dilly dally with the teller who didn't have the sense to be strict enough. They were lucky it wasn't me flying or else they would have gotten an earful from me. By the time we finished checking in, it was 15 mins before boarding time. No time for proper hugs and goodbyes ... everyone was rushing. Thank goodness there was no flight delay which this airline is very famous for.

Moral of story? If you can afford it, fly the other airline.

Pump (Tone) It Up!

This is an excellent video to introduce Body Pump....another popular LM program.

If it wasn't for Body Pump, I would probably die of boredom using only machines.



My Gym Tracking Note: 13 months and going strong...

Fast and Furious

Found this video about Body Combat when I was browsing YouTube. I thought it was an excellent way to introduce this exercise to people who know nuts about Combat....err...that's gym combat, not war combat.

This is what I do twice a week...my fav class of all :-) Sometimes I wish I'm fat so that I can go for more Combat class and burn more calories. If I do that now under my current frame, I would probably turn into a skeleton in no time.

Hiak!

My Gym Tracking Note: 13 months and going strong...