I haven't written about exercise in a while. Probably because for a while I was slacking and totaling failing at motivation. Not to say I wasn't doing any exercise outside of derby, but I wasn't doing enough to improve my gameplay. I tried to correct that 3 weeks before regional tournament play, but it may have been too late because my performance was not stellar there. However, I have continued the exercising outside of practice since regionals and don't plan on slowing down for a loooonnnggggg time.
I had some inspiration in the form of an amazing roller derby player, namely Suzy Hotrod of the Gotham Girl Roller Derby league, who appeared in ESPN's The Body Issue amongst some of the most beautiful athletic bodies in existence. I stared at the pictures of Suzy Hotrod and saw the definition of her stomach muscles, leg muscles, arm muscles, and even back muscles. I realized I wasn't working near hard enough to be a better asset to my team. If you have ever had the fortunate opportunity to watch Suzy Hotrod play roller derby, you know what I am talking about. She works DAMN HARD to be one of the best. And she is that, most definitely without a doubt.
I want to be one of the best, and I am working hard at it going on 6+ weeks of running, sprinting, stairs, jump training, Nic Leiting's Deck of Cards workout (I will explain in another blog), pull ups, push ups, wall sits and more in every spare moment I have. I come to work almost an hour early so I exercise then and on my 1/2 hour lunch break as well. I go to roller derby practice 3 times a week too.
You want to know the best part?? Last week I noticed the results I was hoping for!!!! I was juking so much better I surprised myself. I really noticed a major difference. So I will keep this up, and if you want to do it along with me, stay tuned. I will try to blog at least every few days to let you know what routine I followed on the previous days so if you want to try them for yourself you can. I'm gonna keep up with the big girls and would love some company. If you have any tips for me please comment. I'm no expert at exercise but I have learned to love it.
This is what has kept me motivated: "Something is better than nothing." Let me elaborate. If I only have 15 minutes because I was running late to work, I still do something whether it be rotating 3 exercises or 15 minutes of stairs.
See you in a few for some quick and effective workouts!
I may be a roller girl, but outside of derby I do pretty normal things. I will blog on any subject that comes up from home improvement to motherhood to the price of gas and more.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Growing Up...Derby Style
I have just finished my 4th season of playing roller derby. I am a "veteran" but I do NOT know everything. Far from it. I am constantly learning. I learn about strategy, rules, confidence, footwork, teamwork, dedication, burnout, discipline....it never quits. And I will never quit roller derby until I am physically unable to play.
When you play on a team, there is no room for arrogance, pride, selfishness, jealousy, or ego. These feelings have reared their ugly heads at times and I haven't always been successful in dealing with them. I will keep learning from those mistakes and strive to do better next time.
Sometimes, when things are bothering you (not enough playtime, drama, etc.), you just have to show up, shut up, and skate your F-ing face off. You have to remember why you are doing what you are doing. Hopefully you do it so you can play roller derby because that's what gets you off. If you want to be the best at it, you just have to keep doing it. It may take months or years and you may never be the best of the best, but you do what YOU love for today and be the best YOU can be TODAY. Forget about tomorrow. Use each day to build on the day before.
You WILL make mistakes, and your teammates will cheer you on to get back up as fast as you can when you fall. They will encourage you to keep trying. They will have your back. Certain players may not be your best friend or even like you at all but a real team player looks past all that and still works to be supportive of her team. Teammates have to make sacrifices for the betterment of the team, whether that means sucking it up if you aren't in the line up, being sore after strenuous workouts, working countless hours at toestops and speed skating, or whether it means saying no to cakes and cookies and yes to quinoa and spinach. These are the sacrifices everyone needs to make, along with teamwork, to be able to win. The win is where the magic, warm, fuzzy, unicorns and rainbows, hug-everyone-feeling happens. Sweet victory TOGETHER.
You may not be what your team needs right now, but that doesn't mean you should quit because things aren't going the way you want. Hold that pretty head high and continue to practice and be dedicated to the day that you will be what your team needs. Make those sacrifices so you can be ready to jump in the game and do your best for your team when they need you. Even if they just need you to be a cheerleader on the bench, be the best damn cheerleader you can be.
T-Team
O-Operation
G-Gains
E-Energy
T-To
H-Help
E-Everyone
R-Rise
I don't know if that's good enough but it's my best for today. :)
When you play on a team, there is no room for arrogance, pride, selfishness, jealousy, or ego. These feelings have reared their ugly heads at times and I haven't always been successful in dealing with them. I will keep learning from those mistakes and strive to do better next time.
Sometimes, when things are bothering you (not enough playtime, drama, etc.), you just have to show up, shut up, and skate your F-ing face off. You have to remember why you are doing what you are doing. Hopefully you do it so you can play roller derby because that's what gets you off. If you want to be the best at it, you just have to keep doing it. It may take months or years and you may never be the best of the best, but you do what YOU love for today and be the best YOU can be TODAY. Forget about tomorrow. Use each day to build on the day before.
You WILL make mistakes, and your teammates will cheer you on to get back up as fast as you can when you fall. They will encourage you to keep trying. They will have your back. Certain players may not be your best friend or even like you at all but a real team player looks past all that and still works to be supportive of her team. Teammates have to make sacrifices for the betterment of the team, whether that means sucking it up if you aren't in the line up, being sore after strenuous workouts, working countless hours at toestops and speed skating, or whether it means saying no to cakes and cookies and yes to quinoa and spinach. These are the sacrifices everyone needs to make, along with teamwork, to be able to win. The win is where the magic, warm, fuzzy, unicorns and rainbows, hug-everyone-feeling happens. Sweet victory TOGETHER.
You may not be what your team needs right now, but that doesn't mean you should quit because things aren't going the way you want. Hold that pretty head high and continue to practice and be dedicated to the day that you will be what your team needs. Make those sacrifices so you can be ready to jump in the game and do your best for your team when they need you. Even if they just need you to be a cheerleader on the bench, be the best damn cheerleader you can be.
T-Team
O-Operation
G-Gains
E-Energy
T-To
H-Help
E-Everyone
R-Rise
I don't know if that's good enough but it's my best for today. :)
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