Day Six. All alone!

There may be no lonelier place on the planet than a gym at 4:30 p.m. on the Sunday of a Memorial Day weekend. I can attest to that. And I have photographic proof. In a somewhat weird “Where’s Waldo” kind of way, it’s hard to make out even me, lost amongst all that empty equipment! [...]

Homeless. But Certainly Not Gymless…

So. Back in Texas. Back at home. But certainly, not back to normal… whatever normal is these days, anyway… I have to admit to feeling just a little weird in the gym since I’ve returned. Or actually, the GYMS, plural, since I have been spending some time at both The Factory and Snap Fitness – [...]

Thursday… Legs.

Ultimate Fitness is a great place to do a leg session. I am especially in love with the leg press in this gym, as I have chronicled in the past – there is nothing like moving some iron to make a girl feel successful. Today, I managed that with Smith squats, too, working up to [...]

Pleasantly Surprised.

Apparently, I’m adjusting to my diet. Thursday was Leg Day, and frankly, I was dreading it. Even though it is usually one of my favourite workouts, it is the heaviest of my week, and coupled with a HIIT cardio session and low-carb day, I was pretty sure the outcome wouldn’t be pretty. I couldn’t have [...]

I Love Kettles: Both Tea and Bells.

The weather has turned cool in the upper reaches of the Ottawa Valley, and there is a definite feel of autumn in the air. The maples are changing colour, and in the valleys and ravines, mists rise up above the tree tops in the early morning. Soon, the aroma of leaves, and apples, and woodsmoke [...]

The day I forgot my pants. And paid for SIX HOURS of parking.

Tuesday. It was almost a pants-less workout today. It was just one of those days… I was late getting to the gym because of a meeting with the local pain-management-coordinator for Hospice here in Renfrew. But when I did finally arrive, I was delighted to find there was ample on-street parking. I didn’t have to [...]

Me and Mr. Hollywood. Wednesday @ Ultimate Fitness.

So who would ever have guessed that in order to meet Mr. Hollywood, I would have to venture to the upper Ottawa Valley?  To a gym, of all places, in a little valley town? Not I. But that is indeed the case, and as it turns out, I actually met the man a long while [...]

Short, Sweet and Solid. Leg Day. And a Few Mind Games.

My workout today had to be squeezed into a tight time slot, somewhere between the multiple errands I had to run and the World Cup broadcast of  the USA/Ghana game.  Knowing it would have to be an abbreviated version of legs, I decided to go with just a few exercises – and go heavy.  It [...]

Legs. And why I need to find a new place to take photos.

I’ve become quite accustomed to taking photos in restrooms. It is a tradition I started last year in Austin at Hut’s Hamburgers – I loved the funky decorating job there, and one thing just led to another. But after reviewing the photos I took this morning pre-workout (yeah, really – my hair looked like that [...]

“Geminizing” the Gym @ Ultimate Fitness. Leo-style.

I was born at the tail end of July, which makes me a Leo… King of the beasts, and ruled by the Sun. Outspoken, upfront, over-the-top, a bit vain, not shy, often stubborn… all true, I’m afraid. But also: kind-hearted, loyal, fun-loving, generous, non-judgemental – and practical. And if I’m going to own up to the [...]