Skipping the Gym in Favor of Purling

So this is what is making me mad these days: I haven't been to the gym in over a week, maybe even 10 days. I was telling this to HWWV this morning, and asking him if--when we had cleared out what used to be our "gym" and later became my "studio"--we had kept any of the 10-pound weights that used to be in the closet.

"No," he said, "but why don't you just to push-ups between knit or purl rows, increases, or whatever?"

"I can't do push-ups! The last time I did push ups was when I was in that karate class you were teaching and I tell you what, they were on the fringe of being fake! I cranked those suckers out for your sake only!"

Well, today has passed and I still don't have any 10-pound weights. I suppose I could do those sissy-type ones against the wall, but I think I'd probably just crack myself up while doing them and not be able to get through the day or look in the mirror with any type of respect for myself.

I want some 10-pound weights. I want some 10-pound weights and a good old-fashioned Jane Fonda video.

Worse, I won't be going to the gym any time soon because Girlfriend is sick and I will be at home with her tomorrow. Plus, I have found that if I do any type of weight lifting, the kind I used to do before I knit for a "living," it might--and has in the past--have an effect on my ability to knit.

Talk about a true fitness/knitting tragedy. I wonder if there is a support group for us older gals who think they are gym rats who can't lift weights for fear they'd lose the ability to perform a perfect purl stitch. Or worse, work a cable needle properly without assistance or a couple doses of the Advil and a microwave hotpack, the kind with the lavender essence.

Just a Note: That Heidi vest (that was her name) is now out of her misery. I've rolled it up into some neat little yarn cakes and have lost count of the original number of balls. I guess I could look at the one ball band I kept and weigh the lot but I'm so over the whole debacle and a little hungover that I think I'll sit on it for another month or so before I pick the yarn up again. In spite of the smell--and I'm sure it'll pass like The Bunny's poops do--I love the color and the feel of it, so, well, let's just wait and see what happens.

P.S.: The Bunny is our very large cat.

Comments

[anne]

luvin' that picture...the furry one balancing the yarn cake reminds me of Scrubs' Rowdy...

[Tammy]

You must get exercise! You need to get those endorphins pumping to keep a positive attitude and your creative juices flowing! At least that's what my friend who exercises tells me.

Do you have stairs? Do 20 minutes of jaunts up and down the stairs. At least that's what somebody told me to do once. Could you knit while you did the stairs? That would be a plus.

At any rate... you're having a great hair day!

[Jeanne B.]

Knitting burns calories... doesn't it?

[Carson]

That is SUCH a lovely photo of you, girlfriend and Chuck
HWWV is v talented.

[Debbie]

oh my stars, what a funny post!

Love that Chuck! He is such a good boy.

[john]

You look like you're about to do and etager in one of the unfinished vest's picture. ha!

[Jen]

Not to wreck the fun but 10 pounds sounds a little on the heavy side for aerobics. Aerobics are based on reps, right? Not bulk. I think my elbows would just give out.

I've had plenty enough workout doing tapes with 2s and 5s. Just sayin'.

[Scarlett]

I'm a certified gym rat as well as a compulsive knitter.

I've found that if I lift weights the day after a serious knitting marathon, my grip/forearm strength lessens a bit. When I started wearing gloves to lift, the problem was pretty much solved. I like to think the stamina I get from working out helps my knitting. :-)

[bezzie]

I want to start the "I Wish I Was Wendy's Neighbor" fan club.

"Oh honey look, the neighbor lady is at it again, this time she's passed out on the front lawn while her husband takes pictures!"

[Miz Booshay]

Hi Wendy,

Your hair looks really pretty and thick :o)

I covet Chuck.

About the exercise....you'll figure it out when you're ready to figure it out.

Hope you get a lot done today!

Love,
Donna

[Carol]

Completely off topic but the white top you're wearing with the Heidi, is it the same one from the Essential Stripe photo? I love the cuffs and the look of it under a little sweater.

[Rhonda]

10 lb weights? Is that wishful thinking or do you really feel like you have to make up the time you've missed and want to double the weights in order to do that? You could hurt yourself instead. M-m-m-m, add some weights to your knitting needles. Walk around while knitting instead of sitting down ... and that should do it! ;-)

[Angela]

Love your haircut!

I just got back from the gym...it's not all its cracked up to be!:-)

[knittingnurse]

Thanks for the post. I certainly don't have any words of wisdom for you but I am glad that I am not the only pre-arthritic stricken 'older' knitter around!

[Lynae]

We bought a skating trainer this winter, and I tell you, sliding back and forth on that thing burns a LOT of calories. It rolls up really nicely.

Last Saturday morning, I noticed a guy behind me (I was looking in the mirror) on the stair climber....dancing! It was hysterical - but at least he was having fun.

[Lynn]

Sorry about the gym situation!

I do have a silly question. WHO takes all the great pictures of you lolling around the yard with yarn? I still have visions of your neighbor freaking out...

[beth]

FEEL THE BURN!
I loved the old Jane Fonda workout tape- must dig that out tonight- or my very favorite- the CHER workout.... I have moved on to the 2000 version- Dance Dance Revolution! Any excuse to stay away from the gym.
Keep purling!

[emily]

I haven't been to the gym for a few weeks because I've had a cold and bronchitis, so I haven't had a chance to try this out, but I've heard that it is possible to knit while riding a stationary bike.

Lynae- I totally dance while I'm on the elliptical machine. It makes me go faster and it's so much fun.

[Elizabeth M.]

I love the bangs!

My wimpo version of push-ups involves getting a couple noodles (you know, the kind kids use in water to float) and pushing them down in the water while I'm playing with my little guy at the Y pool. I do several sets of 10 while he paddles around.

[June]

I was reading too quickly, and I thought for a second that you loved the color and feel of Bunny's poop. Whoops!

[Anushka]

From what I saw, the Heidi Vest seemed lovely - the colour too.

Ugh! exercise.

[Tamara]

I love Chuck, your haircut, and that pretty black blouse.

[Sarah]

Cute hair! If knitting were an aerobic or toning exercise you could bounce a quarter off my abs. Sadly its not...

[Erin]

And here I was thinking knitting IS exercise.

[alice]

I can sympathise with you. Until today, I had no exercise for ten days (due to kiddy illness) and today I was doing shoulder presses with the ten pounders, and felt my shoulder twinge. And the first thing to enter my mind was the possibility of knitting disability. Heavens. Talking about too old - have you seen Kelly Nelson? How's that for inspiration?