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[personal profile] louiselux
18 miles omg, 3 hours, total: 84 miles

Have leaped ahead to day 4 and am now in the the Old Forest

Just so you know, I am not on the exercise bike when I do these huge stints of cycling that take all afternoon, but on my actual bike. So, the 18 miles yesterday included cycling in a large circle that took in Reading, Checkendon and then Woodcote and back along the lanes to Reading, nearly all of it along back lanes and woods.

It was beautiful; hot enough to warrant shorts and the sky was absolutely clear blue all day, with the trees just showing new green leaves, blossom everywhere, random siamese cats, a gang of pensioners on tandems, buzzards, kites, many cows (live ones), bluebell woods and a peregrine falcon that crashed through a hedge about a foot from my face.

I have been doing pilates for the last four weeks-- "make sure your pelvis is in neutral"-- and I am beginning to see a difference in my waistline, or rather feel a difference when I put on last year's summer clothes. Everything fits just that little bit better.

Date: 2007-04-16 04:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] daegaer.livejournal.com
I'm glad you're on your actual bike! It would be sad to think of you doing 18 miles in your living room!

Oooh, pilates - I've been thinking about that. Is it good? I have no sense of balance, so does that matter?

Date: 2007-04-16 04:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] louiselux.livejournal.com
Yes, I just thought I'd point it out just so people didn't think I was being demented.

Pilates is good - it has helped me develop actual stomach muscles fairly quickly and has also made by back stronger. It's also very gentle, so I would recommend it to anyone, bar people with disc problems probably. What I like best is that the dvd I've got comes in 25 minute chunks, which to me seem emintely do-able.

However! You are urged to clench your pelvic muscles at the same time as sucking in your stomach (as well as breathe!) and this is what makes the exercises so effective, apparently. It took me at least two weeks to master the skill though.

Date: 2007-04-16 04:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] giving-ground.livejournal.com
That sounds interesting, actually. Hmm. 'Gentle' and 'back-strengthening' are traits I look for in exercise these days.

Maybe I should try it. :)

Date: 2007-04-16 05:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] louiselux.livejournal.com
I really do enjoy the exercises, so I would say yes, try it.

Date: 2007-04-17 01:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mistressrenet.livejournal.com
I've liked the pilates I've done. Ached afterward, mind you. And I too have no sense of balance.

Date: 2007-04-17 03:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] louiselux.livejournal.com
Also, most of the exercises are done lying down, thankfully.

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