Well, I survived week one. Completely unmotivated and encouraged by my usually unenthusiastic bff, I made it to the end of the week.
I have not lost a single pound (must eat better this week), am in pain, but I feel much better. Oh water on the knee....I have that too (insert sympathy here) but, I am taking Tony's advice, modifying, adapting and pressing on. (All with good form I might add because that is important!) See, I don't just complain the whole way through, I listen. Well, actually, I don't really need to listen as I have probably memorized each and every annoying saying, motivational tip and just outright ridiculous ramblings. "I recommend foot spray." Need I say more.
Yoga X. I truly hate it. Yoga is supposed to be relaxing. Not with Tony chattering on and on. Not to mention the crazy, endless sun salutations! 1.5 hours of hell.....well maybe not all of it. The last 5 minutes of stretching is quite relaxing. I would rather do 2 back to back cycles of Plyometrics than one Yoga X. Enough said.
But, I am grateful to the best friend. Somewhat sore, but rather more motivated than the first week. I am certain that we will eventually exchange roles and go back to our usual "Let's do this!! God you are so annoying!!" relationship, where I am the enthusiastic one. My prediction is this will happen post wedding that she is attending. When she is no longer on public display and can hide under layers of winter wear. I will be the one saying, "Don't you feel great?" And she will be the one saying, "Piss off!"
I love our relationship!
GermandG
Wednesday 31 August 2011
Saturday 27 August 2011
P90X - "I love it, but I hate it"
Oh the pain of "fitness".
Once again, I have lept onto the fitness treadmill thanks to my bff. I wanted to leap on, but couldn't quite do it on my own. Thankfully, while I was in Germany aquiring a few extra pounds, J got abducted by Aliens who transferred my desire (well, perhaps not transferred as I had lost that desire) to start on another cycle of P90X. Now it's J saying, "When do you want to work out??" Strange really.
Today is day 2. Today happens also to be pain filled. Why does "fitness" hurt so much. It is supposed to make you feel better......this doesn't feel better.
But, from previous experience I know it will get better. I know that I will begin to feel stronger, look stronger and become healthier. I will lose weight. A pleasant side effect to working out.
This time, I hope I continue in some form. I hate struggling with my weight. I don't like the fitness hamster wheel that I continually find myself on.
Perhaps this time, it might become a lifestyle change.
GermanG
Once again, I have lept onto the fitness treadmill thanks to my bff. I wanted to leap on, but couldn't quite do it on my own. Thankfully, while I was in Germany aquiring a few extra pounds, J got abducted by Aliens who transferred my desire (well, perhaps not transferred as I had lost that desire) to start on another cycle of P90X. Now it's J saying, "When do you want to work out??" Strange really.
Today is day 2. Today happens also to be pain filled. Why does "fitness" hurt so much. It is supposed to make you feel better......this doesn't feel better.
But, from previous experience I know it will get better. I know that I will begin to feel stronger, look stronger and become healthier. I will lose weight. A pleasant side effect to working out.
This time, I hope I continue in some form. I hate struggling with my weight. I don't like the fitness hamster wheel that I continually find myself on.
Perhaps this time, it might become a lifestyle change.
GermanG
Friday 19 August 2011
Water, cool clean water!
Water is something that North Americans take for granted. I have especially realized this on my trip to Europe.
I have to say miss tap water! In Germany when you go out to eat and ask for water, you get a bottle of it, usually sparkling and you have to pay for it. You can ask for tap water.......but you don't usually get it, or you have to fight to get some. I am told that if you insist they must give it to you but it is something that is frowned upon and if you are a frugal travellor it is something that adds Euros to your eating bill each an every time you go out. I figure if I am going to pay 1,90€ for a glass of sparkling water, then I am going to jack it up to 2,90€ and have a decent glass of beer!
Europeans have to pay for their water. They shower and rarely bath. When they shower they get wet, turn the tap off, lather up and clean necessary body parts, then turn the water back on to rinse off. It's actually not a bad idea in the environmentally conscious society we live in! But, we don't. We waste the water standing under it for hours or bathing in it each and every day. I confess....I have missed my nightly baths!
So, when I return to Canada I am going to try a little harder not take the water for granted and enjoy each and every free glass I drink. I'll conserve in the shower and perhaps take a few less baths a week.
When you stop and think about it, saving the earth is best done one person at a time. If each and every person recycled, used less water or walked a little more, the earth would be a greener place
I'll do my part.......what will you do?
GermanG
I have to say miss tap water! In Germany when you go out to eat and ask for water, you get a bottle of it, usually sparkling and you have to pay for it. You can ask for tap water.......but you don't usually get it, or you have to fight to get some. I am told that if you insist they must give it to you but it is something that is frowned upon and if you are a frugal travellor it is something that adds Euros to your eating bill each an every time you go out. I figure if I am going to pay 1,90€ for a glass of sparkling water, then I am going to jack it up to 2,90€ and have a decent glass of beer!
Europeans have to pay for their water. They shower and rarely bath. When they shower they get wet, turn the tap off, lather up and clean necessary body parts, then turn the water back on to rinse off. It's actually not a bad idea in the environmentally conscious society we live in! But, we don't. We waste the water standing under it for hours or bathing in it each and every day. I confess....I have missed my nightly baths!
So, when I return to Canada I am going to try a little harder not take the water for granted and enjoy each and every free glass I drink. I'll conserve in the shower and perhaps take a few less baths a week.
When you stop and think about it, saving the earth is best done one person at a time. If each and every person recycled, used less water or walked a little more, the earth would be a greener place
I'll do my part.......what will you do?
GermanG
Wednesday 17 August 2011
A healthy self image
Germans truly have a healthy self image.
Today was Schwimbad day. The weather was hot, the sun was shining so off to the Freibad (outdoor pool) we go!
Here I am fretting the whole way there. Should I wear my two piece or my one piece? I have just spent nearly 2 weeks in the land of chocolate, cheese, sausages and beer! Needless to say, it's showing around the midline just a tad. :P But, on the way I make a decision. I am on vacation dammit! AND...no one knows me here. I shall wear the 2 piece!
Out of the changing room I walk, full of a loathing self image and trepidation only to come face to face with a women in her late 60's....shall we say looking "well fed"....wearing a two piece! Ha! Can we say absolute freedom!
Now, there are positives and negatives. Also lounging about was a rather rotund man in his 40's wearing a speedo! More than and eyefull I can tell you! But also walking about were people of various shapes and sizes. No one was staring (except perhaps me).....no one was commenting. It was such a beautiful thing to see coming from a body conscious society such as mine. Really, what is the big deal?? We are who we are, made how we are made and we should embrace it and strut around proudly.
Today the sun was shining on my being......and IN my being!
GermanG
Today was Schwimbad day. The weather was hot, the sun was shining so off to the Freibad (outdoor pool) we go!
Here I am fretting the whole way there. Should I wear my two piece or my one piece? I have just spent nearly 2 weeks in the land of chocolate, cheese, sausages and beer! Needless to say, it's showing around the midline just a tad. :P But, on the way I make a decision. I am on vacation dammit! AND...no one knows me here. I shall wear the 2 piece!
Out of the changing room I walk, full of a loathing self image and trepidation only to come face to face with a women in her late 60's....shall we say looking "well fed"....wearing a two piece! Ha! Can we say absolute freedom!
Now, there are positives and negatives. Also lounging about was a rather rotund man in his 40's wearing a speedo! More than and eyefull I can tell you! But also walking about were people of various shapes and sizes. No one was staring (except perhaps me).....no one was commenting. It was such a beautiful thing to see coming from a body conscious society such as mine. Really, what is the big deal?? We are who we are, made how we are made and we should embrace it and strut around proudly.
Today the sun was shining on my being......and IN my being!
GermanG
Saturday 13 August 2011
Best story EVER!
Ok. So there is the best story ever transpiring here in Germany. It's about Yvonne the cow who escaped from the slaughterhouse of a sausage maker. She wants to be free. She wants to be wild....she wants to live.
Off she went and is now wondering through the German forest pretending to be a deer. Many attempts have been made to catch her. None successful thus far.
They built her a beautiful pen with lovely hay and grain to eat. She would have none of that. The freedom of the forest and munching on grass wherever she wishes is what she craves. Recently though a 2nd attempt to catch her was made. One which I find particularily amusing.
They brought her a bull. LOL I am laughing as I find this very amusing. The idea came from none other than a man and they were darn proud of the idea too! They went on and on how attractive he was, gentle....alluring. Only a man could have thought of this idea. Think about it. Were it the other way around I am certain that the cow would attract a rougue bull. BUT....since it is a cow that has gone "ferrel" I am certain it will NOT work. And to make matters worse, they have recently found out that the bull had been castrated. I just about fell off the chair laughing.
So, each evening we watch the news to see how Yvonne is doing. Rooting for the cow....that she gets to stay in the wilderness. At the moment there are animal control officers trying to dart her as they are concerned she will wander into traffic and seriously injure a motorist. I think she is too smart for that. When people are searching for her she stays one step ahead of them and then pops up behind them as if to say, "I´m too smart for you. You will never catch me!"
Personally......I am cheering for the cow!
GermanG
Off she went and is now wondering through the German forest pretending to be a deer. Many attempts have been made to catch her. None successful thus far.
They built her a beautiful pen with lovely hay and grain to eat. She would have none of that. The freedom of the forest and munching on grass wherever she wishes is what she craves. Recently though a 2nd attempt to catch her was made. One which I find particularily amusing.
They brought her a bull. LOL I am laughing as I find this very amusing. The idea came from none other than a man and they were darn proud of the idea too! They went on and on how attractive he was, gentle....alluring. Only a man could have thought of this idea. Think about it. Were it the other way around I am certain that the cow would attract a rougue bull. BUT....since it is a cow that has gone "ferrel" I am certain it will NOT work. And to make matters worse, they have recently found out that the bull had been castrated. I just about fell off the chair laughing.
So, each evening we watch the news to see how Yvonne is doing. Rooting for the cow....that she gets to stay in the wilderness. At the moment there are animal control officers trying to dart her as they are concerned she will wander into traffic and seriously injure a motorist. I think she is too smart for that. When people are searching for her she stays one step ahead of them and then pops up behind them as if to say, "I´m too smart for you. You will never catch me!"
Personally......I am cheering for the cow!
GermanG
Damn cheese!
It's the cheese....I swear it is. May as well tape it stright to my butt!
I have clothing, lovinly selected especially for my trip to Germany. Now, the perfect opportunity arises....I put them on and Gah! Too tight.
Is it any wonder really?? All the food I have eaten....especially the cheese. Which, by the way, tastes NOTHING like what is available back home. I try each and every meal to stay away....but alas, it calls me....beckons me to be placed atop splended fresh baked bread. Thankfully I have managed to stay away from adding butter........that would be utter catastrophe!!
I still have a week to go. Will anything fit at the end of this vacation???
Probably only the Yoga pants. I wonder if it's possible to lose not only the weight I have gained but also the extra I came with in the mere 7 days that remain.
Probably not......sigh......damn cheese!
GermanG
I have clothing, lovinly selected especially for my trip to Germany. Now, the perfect opportunity arises....I put them on and Gah! Too tight.
Is it any wonder really?? All the food I have eaten....especially the cheese. Which, by the way, tastes NOTHING like what is available back home. I try each and every meal to stay away....but alas, it calls me....beckons me to be placed atop splended fresh baked bread. Thankfully I have managed to stay away from adding butter........that would be utter catastrophe!!
I still have a week to go. Will anything fit at the end of this vacation???
Probably only the Yoga pants. I wonder if it's possible to lose not only the weight I have gained but also the extra I came with in the mere 7 days that remain.
Probably not......sigh......damn cheese!
GermanG
Friday 12 August 2011
You get what you pay for!
Bought a cute little camera to take wiht me to Germany. Sweat little deal.......$100. I have a great camera but it's rather bulky so I thought this would be perfect!
Fast forward to trip to Germany, good camera at home, new camera in hand.
There is a perfect photo opportunity. Press the button....nothing. Press again....still nothing.....press again......butterfly gone, lovely leaf picture! Gah!
Next opportunity. Running for a train......no time to stop....oh look at the beautiful castle. Press the button....nothing....press again....nothing....press again.....still nothing......meanwhile relatives are now 1 klm ahead of me running for said train.
Earlier in the day we were taking a relaxing ride on a boat. Wanted to take a few shots, all to no avail. To backtrack just a bit, there was a sign that read look but do not feed, with various pictures of carp, ducks, turtes, etc. Now I must say that for no feeding allowed, these creatures all arrived at the side of the boat, mouth open waiting. Obviously someone is feeding them! I try to take a few pictures.......stupid camera! Perhaps that large carp with the wide open mouth might enjoy eating this piece of crap! By the way....Germans know the word shit.....which I said often when the camera failed.......always followed by snickers from my cousin.
Anyhow, I have learned that you get what you pay for. I have purchased what seems to be the version of a modern day pinhole camera! (Grainy black and white photos to follow!)
German G
Fast forward to trip to Germany, good camera at home, new camera in hand.
There is a perfect photo opportunity. Press the button....nothing. Press again....still nothing.....press again......butterfly gone, lovely leaf picture! Gah!
Next opportunity. Running for a train......no time to stop....oh look at the beautiful castle. Press the button....nothing....press again....nothing....press again.....still nothing......meanwhile relatives are now 1 klm ahead of me running for said train.
Earlier in the day we were taking a relaxing ride on a boat. Wanted to take a few shots, all to no avail. To backtrack just a bit, there was a sign that read look but do not feed, with various pictures of carp, ducks, turtes, etc. Now I must say that for no feeding allowed, these creatures all arrived at the side of the boat, mouth open waiting. Obviously someone is feeding them! I try to take a few pictures.......stupid camera! Perhaps that large carp with the wide open mouth might enjoy eating this piece of crap! By the way....Germans know the word shit.....which I said often when the camera failed.......always followed by snickers from my cousin.
Anyhow, I have learned that you get what you pay for. I have purchased what seems to be the version of a modern day pinhole camera! (Grainy black and white photos to follow!)
German G
Tuesday 9 August 2011
Coming home
It seems that when you travel there are many things that are similar......and yet many that are not.
Relationships for instance are the same worldwide. Couples argue about the dumbest things all over the world. Take my cousins. Apparently her hubby does little around the house. A common theme throughout the globe, of that I am certain. Then later.....she puts her foot down......clean up after yourself she says......only to be agrivated by the mess that still remains and she once again starts picking up the left over dishes, munchie bags, laundry, etc.
The weather. Crap here....crap at home......I have been wearing the same ONE pair of long pants that I have packed.....enough said!
But the differences.........
Food. Everything tastes better in Germany. It even looks better. Glorious pretzels for sale with lights beaming on them, beckoning you to have one with a "Milsch Kaffee". Heaven!
Prices of things are outrageously cheap. High quality too. I am seriously considering selling my house (must first entertain the nothing with hubby THEN try to convince him of said notion) and moving over here. Groceries that I can purchase in Canada sold here so much more cheaper that it longer holds any credence with me when people say I pay more for groceries due to transportation costs! Hogwash!
And fashion.......Europeon people are so much more stylish than their Canadian counterparts. I know why people point and laugh at then when they visit....they are jealous that they don't know how to look that good......or even care if they do.....I do!
I know that nowhere is perfect. But for me, unfettered by responsibilites.......this place is. :-)
For me, it's like coming home......
GermanG
Relationships for instance are the same worldwide. Couples argue about the dumbest things all over the world. Take my cousins. Apparently her hubby does little around the house. A common theme throughout the globe, of that I am certain. Then later.....she puts her foot down......clean up after yourself she says......only to be agrivated by the mess that still remains and she once again starts picking up the left over dishes, munchie bags, laundry, etc.
The weather. Crap here....crap at home......I have been wearing the same ONE pair of long pants that I have packed.....enough said!
But the differences.........
Food. Everything tastes better in Germany. It even looks better. Glorious pretzels for sale with lights beaming on them, beckoning you to have one with a "Milsch Kaffee". Heaven!
Prices of things are outrageously cheap. High quality too. I am seriously considering selling my house (must first entertain the nothing with hubby THEN try to convince him of said notion) and moving over here. Groceries that I can purchase in Canada sold here so much more cheaper that it longer holds any credence with me when people say I pay more for groceries due to transportation costs! Hogwash!
And fashion.......Europeon people are so much more stylish than their Canadian counterparts. I know why people point and laugh at then when they visit....they are jealous that they don't know how to look that good......or even care if they do.....I do!
I know that nowhere is perfect. But for me, unfettered by responsibilites.......this place is. :-)
For me, it's like coming home......
GermanG
Sunday 7 August 2011
They sure do move!
I am currently on vacation. I have also made an observation while I am here. Europeans sure do move! Not just in vehicles, but on trains, bikes and walking. I find they are especially physically minded.
Now, having said that I made the most interesting discovery that would be sure to have even my bff's bf running to the swimming pool! What is it you ask?? Beer is served in the cafe that is housed within the swimming pool. And schnitzel! And good beer, too!
Germans are a wonderful people. They live well, play well and as a result eat well. I understand why this is my motherland. There is a kinship here. :-)
Jetlag and rain aside, I am enjoying my vacation. Even as I type this I am rewarded with a view from the window of glorious sunshine. This afternoon holds a "fest" in the days activities.....more beer, food and fun!
Sigh.....it's going to be another good day!
GermanG
Now, having said that I made the most interesting discovery that would be sure to have even my bff's bf running to the swimming pool! What is it you ask?? Beer is served in the cafe that is housed within the swimming pool. And schnitzel! And good beer, too!
Germans are a wonderful people. They live well, play well and as a result eat well. I understand why this is my motherland. There is a kinship here. :-)
Jetlag and rain aside, I am enjoying my vacation. Even as I type this I am rewarded with a view from the window of glorious sunshine. This afternoon holds a "fest" in the days activities.....more beer, food and fun!
Sigh.....it's going to be another good day!
GermanG
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