Half-Assing It

The other day I totally half-assed my workout. I started to feel crappy as the day progressed and I knew I was probably getting yet another head cold. 🙁 Since it hadn’t even been a month since my last cold, I half thought maybe it was allergies instead.

I got to the gym (fancy gym) and all the treadmills were full. Full of mostly walkers. Ugh! Annoyed! I went upstairs and half-assed my weight lifting. I just wasn’t into it. I warmed up on a few of the weight machine.

Then I ventured over to the FreeMotion weight machines hoping that would spark some interest in me. It helped a little bit.

To be honest I was a tad intimidated by the FreeMotion machines and avoided them until recently. They are pretty fun to workout on. They are more like lifting with free weights than the machines.

I enjoyed myself! Even if I was half-assing the workout out. Why do I say I half-assed it?

• My heart wasn’t in it at all. I would have much rather been home on the couch with Dexter episodes.
• I had the sniffles and a headache like I was getting a cold.
• My ankle was bothering me for no reason.
• I wasn’t lifting weights with the same determination I usually have.
• I did not push myself in any way.

I told myself a “little bit” was better than nothing. So I kept at it. After lifting weights on the FreeMotion machines for about 30 minutes, I saw that some treadmills had opened up.

I hopped on the treadmill to do my Return to Running plan just like I’d done on Monday–gradually increasing the speed every quarter mile or so. It seemed to be working. I increased my speed to 4.3 max by the end of my jog. I admit, my Half-Assed Workout was turning around!

I saw that the mileage was getting close to my 1.5 mile and I was in such a great groove I didn’t want to stop. It didn’t hurt that one of my favorite songs was on.

Before I knew it, I’d jogged 1.65 miles! Yay! And it felt good. I had no pain, no aches in my leg or knee. It was a great sign.

After my jog, I went back to lifting weights, but just for a little while longer. I skipped my normal ab workout, skipped my hip strengthening exercises and decided to just do my stretches and go home.

Gym Stats:

Time: 1:09

Calories Burned: 445

When I got home, Michael and I made dinner together. I made us big salads while he blackened some salmon.

We also steamed some edamame to go with dinner. It’s been in the freezer for a few months (from Trader Joe’s) and we desperately need to make room for a turkey!

It was really fast and easy to steam. It turned out well. Sprinkle some salt on the soybeans and it was just like the kind in a sushi restaurant.

Yum!  Dinner was good–a little on the salty side, but healthy otherwise.

During dinner Michael and I discussed Thanksgiving planning. This will be the first time either of us are cooking a Turkey Dinner. Plus we are having some friends over! It definitely cannot be half-assed.

We made a list of “must haves” for Thanksgiving. Since it’s going to be a potluck-style, we prioritized the items and figured out what we would be providing (i.e. Turkey, Appetizers).

Honestly I’m a tad nervous about taking on such a huge task. BUT I did make an entire chicken last month….and it was a success. It’s probably pretty similar!

QUESTION: Have you ever made Thanksgiving dinner on your own? Any tips for newbies?