I haven’t written about health and wellness in awhile. It is not because I have been negligent rather, I wanted to collect some data to share and show that exercise continues to be alive and well in my retirement life.
When I retired, I said there were three things I wanted to focus on. They were and continue to be: knitting [of course], running, and writing/reading. In my knitting life, I knew I would be attacking the stash working up projects I had only wished/dreamed of finishing. UPDATE: I moved OUT a piece of furniture that was housing yarn as those bundled fibers are now finished objects!
I knew I wanted to continue writing here on hollyknits. I thought I might also look for other writing venues. Immediately upon joining the knitting guild, that notion of ‘another outlet’ came via the guild’s website, buffaloknittingguild.com where, after one year, I was granted privilege to update their website where I gave it a complete overhaul as well as established their visibility on other social sites. Since then, I continue to write weekly updates.
This third initiative of running has taken the most effort as, for me, is the most difficult. Difficult because I do not view myself as an athlete (self concept flaw) and besides, who wants to move off a comfy couch, complete with lap lab pooch, coffee, and knitting?
Also, because I recognized my running effort needed more attention than just hubby and I lallygagging at our slow pace.
Enter OTF. OrangeTheoryFitness moved into our area this past Spring. My daughter introduced me to OTF a few years, ago. I took a class with her then and thought it might be a good fit for me. High energy, data driven, diverse routine of exercise are its attributes. I signed up and have since been to about 6 classes. Within the construct of OTF, after gathering data, and learning of the rotation of 4 specific classes, one can learn to tweak their physical fitness goals. Here is an example of a performance summary that you find in your inbox after each class. My goal: turn red to orange.
For me, OTF is a vehicle to get me to this year’s physical fitness goal of a half marathon, Buffalo’s half, May 2017. I’ve asked the coach to help me while knowing I also need to run lots of shorter races between now and then.
These photos were from the race this past weekend, the 12th annual Lindsay’s Legacy, a 5k that ended up being a 3.4 race (some minor misconfiguring) to benefit childhood cancer research. I came in 9th out of 23 in my age group. Results are posted at such sites as www.buffalorunners.com, useful to train and compete against your own time.
Today is a down day where I am sifting through paperwork here on the table, will make a few minor adjustments to some hand knits caused by typical wear and tear, and continue the journey of fair isle. Of course, there are always the house projects where one becomes a helper.
Happy, of course after the task. But, look at that Birch!
Hollyknits 
9 responses to “On Fitness”
You emptied an entire piece of furniture? Congratulations! And you’re an inspiration for the exercise part: I have not been able to do anything in months, and my rusty body is begging me to move. I still have quite a lot of work as we are planning a new move, but after that, my goal is to find a dance class, maybe… I hate running, I secretly envy people who can do it, but it’s not for me.
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ok, Agnes . . . give yourself a break with all the moving you are doing. And, yes my body does get that rusty feeling, a good description. Some people feel happy having a large stash but no matter how much I try to improve my attitude, when the stash gets too large, it feels like a noose around my neck rather than a source of beauty and enjoyment. I will need one more solid, determined, non-purchasing year and then will feel much, much better about things.
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Yeah, you’re right, plus I have so many other things to attend to. You would not believe how French administrations love papers. We have still so many papers to fill, even to work as a freelancer is much more complicated but I am getting there.
I feel exactly the same with my stash, that’s why I am also working at it and not buying anything either. We can pat ourselves in the back for being so reasonable ;-)
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Now, I need to ask if your freelancing employment is in the area of knitting. And, another curiosity I just can’t get out of my head . . . Where do knitters who have completed over hundreds of projects (as seen on Ravelry) store their projects?? It’s kind of like I am solving one problem and creating another.
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Hi Holly,
No, it’s not, although I did give it a try last year and it did not work out for me. I still need to write something about it actually. I have gone back to my first training, technical writing and added translation as my expertise. I discovered I absolutely love translation, and I plan to extend my offer shortly to knitting patterns as well. I’m still working on that but will go forward early next year, once we’ve completed our final (for a while at least) move and settled in our new home (where I’ll have lots of space for my yarn).
Your second question: well, I find myself in the same predicament. I now have an entire chest (small, but still) full of hand knits. I am slowly anticipating a lack of space as well. Something to think about…..
Cheers
Agnes
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Holly, you are so amazing, making real goals and sticking to them like this! Getting rid of furniture that once held yarn stash- wow! Finding a way to keep writing that is productive and helps an organization grow. And now you are knocking it out of the park with fitness, too. You are inspiring me to think about longer term goals than just finishing my Christmas knitting on time! 😀 Way to go! I bet you will do just fine in that half marathon next spring.
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Goal setting helps to give me purpose in my retirement, things to look forward to, to self-improve. Otherwise, I’d never move, find excuses, and lose interest in what matters most to me. Right now, retirement is suiting me. Finishing Christmas knitting in time is important, too!
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I agree – that’s what goals are good for, but you have remained focused on them for so long, I think that is what is most impressive. :-)
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Well, Sarah, we shall see how long I can remain focused. Thank you for your vote of confidence.
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