Ninja Warriors Unite!

[sabrinamari]

I finished 40 minutes on the elliptical this morning just in time to race into Trent's arms crowing at my victory. "I am the victorious warrior!' I yelled to the world. "And you are the victorious boy warrior!" I added, upon discovering that Trent had already brushed his teeth and was ready to leap into the mini-van and head to school at that very moment.

We grabbed hands and raced to the car, declaring our triumph to the world as we went. When we got to school, he turned to me and solemnly said,"Now go back to the Ninja base for more Ninja training." I gave him the high five and replied with equal seriousness,"I will complete the biceps of glory."

And with a hug, we were off: he to his class, and me to my weights and to work.

Another victory for Ninja warriors everywhere.

Comments

[eleithyia.livejournal.com]

Do you have your own eliptical in the house? I think I'd like to get one...do you like yours--which one is it?

HUGS to the warrior!

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Yes, I have a folding elliptical. Not only that---I have a super secret system for buying great exercise equipment at great prices.

I will make a post on this in the next couple of days, with a link to my elliptical trainer.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I have a moment, so...

I own an older folding elliptical trainer by Vision Fitness:

http://www.visionfitness.com/home/ellipticaltrainers/index.php?t=h

I LOVE it! I bought it second hand for $600, half the cost of a new one at that time. I think I bought it around 2003.

My system for buying equipment goes like this:

1. Visit fitness equipment stores and try out all the equipment you are evenly vaguely interested in. Wear comfy, loose clothes and slot a couple of hours to make it all the way through a big store.

Secondhand equipment stores are great! We have one---Reps Fitness Supply---on Rt. 22 East. There's also usually a NordicTrack store in most larger malls.

Visit several local stores. Try everything. Be sure you 'fit' the machine. For example, NordiTrack's ellipticals require a longer, wider stance than I can comfortably manage. But Vision ellipticals adjust to my stride length and width just right.

2. Take notes! Take notes on the models you like and why and the models you hate and why, and those you would consider buying and why. Note the retail selling price.

3. Once this is done, look at your list and figure out what you really want. DO NOT BUY CHEAP EXERCISE EQUIPMENT. It will not last and you will regret it later. Aim for mid-range and higher-range pieces of equipment.

4. Once you know exactly what you want, go to Craigslist and Ebay to look for what you want. Freecycle is also a possibility. On Ebay you can customize a search so that all pieces of equipment fitting your specifications are flagged and a list of them is emailed to you when they are posted.

5. When you get an email telling you that an interesting a piece of equipment has been put on auction, go browse. You are looking for an item that is housed at a local place, no more than a few hours drive away. It should be marked "Pickup Only".

6. When you see something you want on sale locally, examine the listing carefully. Look at the pictures and ask the seller any questions. By now, you'll have a sense of the going sale price on Ebay because you've been looking at listings (and going back to see what the most interesting pieces finally sold for!).

7. Place your bid and/or be online, ready to swoop in at the last minute and win your item.

8. When you win a piece, find a friend with a truck or mini-van or rent a truck yourself. Bribe someone to go with you and get the equipment. Voila!

To make this work you MUST do your research first. You must know exactly what's out there, what you want and why. You must have a sense of its going price on Ebay. And finally, you have to wait for a local piece of what you want to go on sale.

I waited over a year for a WaterRower and got it for half the retail price. It was so, so worth it.

[oaktavia.livejournal.com]

I second the freecycle!
exercise equipment goes up on my local freecycles at least once a month (freeweights, and a lot of nordictrak stuff)...
let me add a couple of hints on the freecycle end of things...
if you are in a metro area that has several separate freecycle lists - join them all. (I am on the Norfolk, the Va Beach, the Chesapeake, & the Portsmouth lists - all are within a 20-30 minute drive, well worth the gas for good item free)
also, look into cheapcycle lists (usually yahoolists) too
[edit] cheapcycle-type lists are kind of like craigslist, and most are geared toward people with the freecycle mentality... getting & giving stuff taking up space, just with an exchange of money - usually much cheaper than you'd get it for on craigslist or used retail (hence the name *g*)

[hypanebliss.livejournal.com]

FUCK YES. Don't fear the reaper. Triumph over evil. Together we shall build a super base in the Alps and shift the world's consciousness. But only after I've had coffee. I can't change the world before like 9am.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Laughing!

[castalusoria.livejournal.com]

What a great start to the day!

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

It was wonderful.

[ingridsummers.livejournal.com]

You are a nut! It sounds like you're really having fun, however.

I was having a conversation with my Acountability Buddy this morning about the Elliptical Trainer. We were talking about endorphins and how I really should be seeing an effect of the daily "torture".

I'm not. But, the conversation made me realize that 10 years ago I was taking somewhere between 65 and 85 mg of prednezone on a daily basis. That it messed with my adrenal and endrocine systems in a way that has never returned to normal. I may, in fact, not be getting an endorphin rush.

Utlimately, that's okay. Every step on the machine is in honor of Athena. Every movement is mindfully done and felt. It's not pleasant. It is honorable and healthy. Quitting is not an option.

I'll just be the retarded Ninja!

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

All three of us are very silly. we enjoy our foolishness tremendously.

I am awed at your attitude towards this difficult process. I wonder if some other piece of equipment or activity might bring you joy. It could also be a problem of fit: the equipment doesn't quite 'fit' your body (requiring a longer stride length, for example) or the activity itself doesn't 'fit' your preferences as well as another one would (I'm not a big stair-stepper fan).

I wonder if it would be possible to explore a bit and find somthing else that would give you greater joy.

Greater Joy

[ingridsummers.livejournal.com]

What gives me greater joy is belly-dancing. But, realistically, I need something that I can do everyday. While I could belly-dance daily, I'm still working on that self-discipline. I'm also not able to afford a weekly class - which I really need to support my daily practice.

In the meantime, I'm moving my body. I can tell that the effects are positive. I've learned that I don't have to like everything I do to appreciate it.

I couldn't say about the "fit". It seems to be right. I'll mention it to spouse to see what he says.

Yah for fun and silly. That always works to keep the joy alive.

[elphaba-of-oz.livejournal.com]

CHildren are the only reason for living.

[citabria]

If I had that sort of potential cuteness, I might find it easier to get going in the morning!

[sligoe.livejournal.com]

My children have saved my life in more ways than I could ever count. There is nothing I wouldn't do for them---even though they are grown and away from home, I can still feel them in every fibre of my being. I love them passionately and completely---they are the best thing that ever happened to me.

[flamespirit.livejournal.com]

Awwwww....this warmed my heart to its very cockles!

[boy-pastiche.livejournal.com]

this pirate LOVES that moment.

oh... and have you considered checking out inspirement?