Cross-training and regular training

I like to cycle (if you hadn't noticed). And even though cycling is a fantastic workout and great fun, I also believe in moderation. Also, too, I learned that the average American gains 7-8 pounds during the holiday season. That's kind of a lot. So why not take the holiday season on with some fancy cross-training (and maybe even some food-intake moderation)?

Cross-training (other than walking, which is good cross-training, but doesn't seem to 'count.')

Up first: pilates.

Last night, I went to the pilates mat class at my gym (traditional pilates uses a contraption called a 'reformer' that looks like a torture device, but is actually really amazing, with the right help). I've been to a few classes, but mostly I do my pilates videos at home because 1) it's at home and 2) it's short and I can do it when I've run out of time for anything else. Doing a video in the comfort of my living room is a far-cry from going to the gym and publicly trying to contort myself into positions that my body doesn't know how to do and looks pretty silly trying.

I started doing pilates because it's such a fantastic way to strengthen one's back and I've had some back trouble ranging from mildly uncomfortable to ridiculously painful for several years. The rub is that it only works if you actually do it. So I'm going to try it for a while and see how it goes. It's frustrating at first because my back ends up sore, and I think, maybe I should let it rest, and then I forget to keep going to the classes. Perhaps writing it down will be my reminder.

I think I have some pilates instructors as readers -- I hope I haven't gotten this all wrong.

Want to try a mat class for yourself? If you're in the West Sac area, check these folks out. They're the best instructors I know, and fabulous people, to boot.

Up next: boot camp

Yes -- I joked about going to bootcamp so I could take on the dummy who said dumb things on the dumb SacBee newspaper, but beside that, I think it will be a good whole-body workout. I haven't been to a bootcamp class for many many years. We'll see if I have any strength left after my long hiatus from regular workouts.

The class is tonight at 6:30, which means I have 2 hours after work to maintain my motivation. If anyone has any tips for that, let me know. It's really my downfall on my consistency.

Regular training.

This weekend there is an NCAC ride (30 miles: from Sac to the Davis Farmers' Market and back). I'm looking forward to that. Especially considering it's still 75-80 degrees here. I got to ride for about an hour or more this weekend, but that was it, so it will be nice to be on my bike again. And maybe by then, I'll have found some cycling gloves I like.

I also bought a cycling trainer on Saturday. A guy on Craigslist was selling his barely-used CycleOps trainer for cheap, so I snagged it. This means I can set up my bike in my garage and have indoor rides if it's cold and rainy (hopefully it will eventually get cold and rainy. . . did I just say that??). I haven't read the directions and whatnot yet and haven't set it up, but I think it will be fun. He suggested I use a different tire when I load the bike on the trainer. Emily said she has an extra one, and she also suggested I get a spare cassette, which will be useful; I'm happy to try out her extra wheel and start searching for a used cassette, lest this turn into a million dollar idea. And maybe I'll look for a used TV to stick in my garage so I don't go crazy. I gave away my spare TV a while back, but I can probably find another.

Emily is also already talking about doing century rides (in February??), so it might be good if I could stay in cycling shape over the winter month(s) and maybe join her. Or at least cheer her on.