Kettlebells & a required rest

Yesterday...aahhhh, yesterday. It was a great day! I woke up with some real stiffness/soreness in my back - when I breathed deeply it hurt (more like when you have pnemonia and you've pulled muscles due to coughing). I was determined NOT to miss the 1 hour Kettlebells class, so I took some Advil, soaked in the tub and had hubby massage my back!

I felt well enought to participate (YEAH!) and did manage to get through it! I did modify my weights (I had to go down to a 25lb from the 30 lb for a few exercises) but felt pretty good. Craig had checked in with me at one point and I told him where the pain was, he handed me a foam roller and told me to lean back on it and take a few deep breaths - BINGO! I heard a crack and most of the tension released. It was still sore, but not like what it was.

The class itself is, without doubt, the hardest workout/physical activity that I've done in years (maybe ever). Its cardio, but its also pushing weights. Its endless continuous with short, little rest periods between long sets. Its sweaty and chalky. I always want to bail 1/2 way through, that voice in my head says 'your done, you can't do any more' - but somehow Craig seems to know when to give the pep talk - make the most of your time; this is an oportunity that you can choose to make the most of! And, it works! That voice in my head listens, and back-peddles: 'You can! Come on, just a little more!' :)
Afterwards, and on Craig's orders I iced and heated it for a good part of the morning and it was feeling much better by lunch. Today that area is much less sore, but I've added some new tender areas from the Kettlebell class! LOL! I think I'm going to work a massage into this week, and I might bump my chrio apt earlier (maybe a rib is out of place again?).

Anyway, we hung with the kids, cleaned the house, etc for the rest of the afternoon in preperation for a dinner party (well, good family friends and their kids were coming, and Oma - my kids grandmother - arrived too!) that night. What a good time! Thanks to the Wallace for coming, we always have such fun when we are together. I may have eaten too much, and had more to drink that I should have - but maybe the kettlebell class balanced the extra calories : P

Today, I wore up (stiff and sore), grabbed my coffee and headed to the computer (as I usually do on the weekends). As I was waiting for it to load up I was blankly staring out the window, and here's what I saw:

and

Did I ever mention my other obsession - gardening (& generally growing things)? What you see above are orchids. What a beautiful sight. I think I've been so busy lately that I didn't even notice they were in full bloom! What is it they say, take the time to smell the flower? In this case its take the time to set the flowers!

I've always loved orchids, but our first house was so small and dark that I couldn't really grow any indoor plants. Our new house is light, airy, larger AND loves orchids! These are the two that I have now, they are covered in blooms and so happy you can almost hear them humming as they grow :) I suspect over the years this room (our sunroom) will be covered with these beautiful plants!!

And on that note, I have a surprise activity today (hopefully) that includes plant life. I won't tell you more, I'll take pictures so you an see - hopefully tomorrow.

Have a great Sunday!

Later!