I have never been particularly strong, but before I injured my knee in high school I had a fair amount of stamina and flexibility. The amount of time I spent doing pliés, holding uncomfortably unnatural positions, and simply dancing gave me above average flexibility and the endurance to hold such poses. I used to be able to put my feet behind my head, to perform high kicks, and perform all of the standard ballet positions in full turnout. These days, however, I laugh at myself with a bitter self pity because I can barely get a turnout over ninety degrees. Even a few years ago I had the endurance to dance all night, like the three hours I spent on stage without a break with Takuya Angel at his first North American DJ set, but now I'm lucky to make it through three songs before I'm trembling and hard-put to continue. I have finally reached the tipping point where I am willing to put in the long hours I will need in order to get myself back in shape.
I don't want to make this a post about society's pressure to conform to the current beauty standards. It is an important issue with many facets, but I do not feel as if I have the voice to articulate it properly at this time. Maybe I will be able to discuss my thoughts on it in the future after I reassess the effects it has on me personally.
The significant other and I have talked a lot about this. We are both out of shape, albeit in different ways. He's strong and very flexible for a man of his size, but all of his muscle is hidden under a rather thick layer of insulation. He doesn't feel the same issues with body image that I do, but he is willing to be my workout companion. We are each going to have to set separate goals because we are aiming for different things, but it is no fun to work out alone. I've also taken the liberty of setting a major prize for each of us, which I will get into a little bit later.
My first goal is to be able to bend over and touch my toes again. I'm hoping to achieve it by my birthday in May. It may or may not be feasible, but it gives me something to work forward to. Afterword I want to train until I can do a front split and after that a side split. My overarching goal is to have abs again. Not fully toned cheese grater abs, but even in middle school I could see the individual muscles when I flexed.
The prizes are kind of silly, but are still something worth working toward. I will be making us Batman and Catwoman costumes, specifically the Long Halloween variations. He is an avid Batman fan and although I have always had a passing interest in comics, it has only grown since we got back together. I'm sitting here watching Batman the Animated Series while writing this post. I will start making mine when I have abs again and his "when the time is right". He doesn't cosplay and has little to no interest in it, but having a batsuit in the closet is something few people would say no to.
Photo by Lewis McBatman on Flickr
On a side note, I know many people who are boycotting DC Comics right now for a variety of reasons. Ableism issues, LGBT issues, women's rights issues... The list goes on. I agree with much of what has been said on that front, but again, that is a discussion for another time. If any of you are unaware of the issues with DC Comics or would simply like more information, feel free to post your questions.
At the moment I am still finalizing my daily routine. It will be a modified version of the warmup routine I used when taking dance lessons. Even after so many years I still remember it like the back of my hand. I even found the song we used: Over the Rainbow by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole.
This video is a wonderful tribute to the singer who died in 1997. The celebration on the beach toward the end is footage from his funeral, when his ashes were scattered in the ocean. It For years this version of the song brought tears to my eyes. It was the song that reminded me of who I could have been, while now it is the song of who I am going to be. But I digress.
Like I said, my workout routine is going to be, for the most part, my old warmup routine. I will be adding extra stretches, crunches and jogging. The jogging is a bit iffy right now because winter is upon us and I'd rather not run on icy sidewalks. Hopefully the fitness center at my new apartment will be finished soon so I can use treadmills, but the construction is on going and probably won't be finished until spring.
In the next few days I hope to take some photos to showcase my current state of being. It will help illustrate my goals, but right now it is too dark to do so.
Do any of you have workout goals right now? Care to share?
