What Muscles are You Working?
Monday, June 29, 2009
So, as most of you know, my middle stepdaughter was in town last week with 4 of the grandkids.. her four, of course! We were off to Disneyland last Thursday with them all. Lucky for us, it was a nice California day & not too hot so that was good! Also, as crowded as Disneyland was, it could have been much worse so we lucked out there too! Lots of walking & standing!!!! Had tons of fun with everyone though! The pic is middle stepdaughter, Lisa, and 3 of the 4 kiddos at Disneyland. #4 was off with Dad!
Ah, to my point! How many of you out there think just because you are a jogger/runner, that you can handle any amount of walking thrown at you??? Did you say yes???? You may just be wrong. Even though it seems like the same motion, it is not quite so... plus if you are walking/standing for hours on end, you may have a rude awakening the next day!!! Turn that around & just because you may have been walking for your exercise for a long time, DO NOT assume that you can start jogging & not feel different muscles OR even the same muscles, but now they really hurt!!!!
Always know that small changes not only in your cardio workout but your resistance workout as well, will activate different muscles and/or the same muscles but in a different way! That is a good thing unless you overdo. So, if you are making changes from walking to jogging OR jogging to walking or to any other form of cardio, take note & work into it so your muscles become accustomed to the new movement. Test it out first to see how the new workout feels.
Same with resistance workouts. Change is always good & I am all for that.. every workout! BUT, if you are making changes, don't go and do 5 or 6 sets of something totally new OR start into weight training gung ho... the next day & a few days after may be a rude awakening!
OK, why am I writing this. Well, after a 12+ hour day at Disneyland walking & standing most of it, man, my legs & calves were VERY tired and yes, sore. I did feel fine the following day though BUT I do exercise a lot AND I WORE SUPPORTIVE SHOES!!!! Another point to take note of when changing your cardio workout OR if you are going to be walking/standing for a long period of time. SHOES matter so get a shoes specific for your sport/cardio workout AND don't do heels or less supportive shoes if you are going to be walking around all day for hours on end. I know we all want to look cute & good but you may pay the price of aching legs/shins/calves for it.
So, as you head out for summer fun, please keep your feet & shoes in mind so that you don't end up hurting the next few days or god forbid, injured from not wearing shoes that fit the outing. ENJOY whatever you do!
So, as most of you know, my middle stepdaughter was in town last week with 4 of the grandkids.. her four, of course! We were off to Disneyland last Thursday with them all. Lucky for us, it was a nice California day & not too hot so that was good! Also, as crowded as Disneyland was, it could have been much worse so we lucked out there too! Lots of walking & standing!!!! Had tons of fun with everyone though! The pic is middle stepdaughter, Lisa, and 3 of the 4 kiddos at Disneyland. #4 was off with Dad!Ah, to my point! How many of you out there think just because you are a jogger/runner, that you can handle any amount of walking thrown at you??? Did you say yes???? You may just be wrong. Even though it seems like the same motion, it is not quite so... plus if you are walking/standing for hours on end, you may have a rude awakening the next day!!! Turn that around & just because you may have been walking for your exercise for a long time, DO NOT assume that you can start jogging & not feel different muscles OR even the same muscles, but now they really hurt!!!!
Always know that small changes not only in your cardio workout but your resistance workout as well, will activate different muscles and/or the same muscles but in a different way! That is a good thing unless you overdo. So, if you are making changes from walking to jogging OR jogging to walking or to any other form of cardio, take note & work into it so your muscles become accustomed to the new movement. Test it out first to see how the new workout feels.
Same with resistance workouts. Change is always good & I am all for that.. every workout! BUT, if you are making changes, don't go and do 5 or 6 sets of something totally new OR start into weight training gung ho... the next day & a few days after may be a rude awakening!
OK, why am I writing this. Well, after a 12+ hour day at Disneyland walking & standing most of it, man, my legs & calves were VERY tired and yes, sore. I did feel fine the following day though BUT I do exercise a lot AND I WORE SUPPORTIVE SHOES!!!! Another point to take note of when changing your cardio workout OR if you are going to be walking/standing for a long period of time. SHOES matter so get a shoes specific for your sport/cardio workout AND don't do heels or less supportive shoes if you are going to be walking around all day for hours on end. I know we all want to look cute & good but you may pay the price of aching legs/shins/calves for it.
So, as you head out for summer fun, please keep your feet & shoes in mind so that you don't end up hurting the next few days or god forbid, injured from not wearing shoes that fit the outing. ENJOY whatever you do!
So, any shoe stories to share with the readers? Did anyone decide to wear sandals, flip flops or heels on an outing when they should have worn sneakers? Please, do tell!!!! 
My only cautionary shoe tale is a reminder to use different workout shoes for indoors and outdoors. I would also advise that they be in different colors so that you don't get to the gym and realize you're wearing one indoor and one outdoor sneaker. Or worse, pull your shoes out of your gym bag to change into and realize that you not only have two different sneakers and they're both for the left foot.
It's so much fun being me sometimes.
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Seriously! Walking all day at an amusement park should be touted more often by fitness professionals as an intense workout!!!! I am always *shocked* to see chicks wearing stilettos at D-Land! I have to restrain myself from approaching them to apologize to their feet for them. Silliness!
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When I went to that "prom" at our local bar, I wore heels there, but my flats in my purse (it's a big purse.. lol) I saw gals on the nasty bar floor in bare feet.. ewwwww. glad I had my change of shoes!!
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This happens to me way too many times. Not only do I never wear the right shoes out but I seem to never learn (dumb, I know!) Lately I have been sporting flat sandals, and when I walk for a long period of time I get the worst pains in my feet/calves/knees. I love the way they look, but need to wear more supportive ones like you say when doing extensive walking.
I do like Cher's idea of keeping a pair of sandals in your bag when you are wearing heels. There have been many nites I suffered through in pinching heels wishing to rip them off, but I (like you) am opposed to bare footing it at a bar.
Seems like you had a great time with the kids!
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I totally agree!! The first time I went to Vegas I wore 'cute shoes' and what a huge mistake!! My feet were killing me and they were no longer cute!
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12+ hours! Oh my goodness. Thank you for letting me in on this. We're headed to an amusement park in a few weeks and it's been a few years since I've been to this kind of place, so THANK YOU for filling me in on the feet thing!
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That sounds like such a fun but exhausting day. Glad you guys had a nice visit.
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Cammy, you are too funny! But good suggestions!
Cher, great idea too!
Josie, glad I could help with your upcoming outing. Check to see if you can bring in food too because buying it is so expensive! PLUS, you can bring what you want & then plan for an amusement park treat if you want that. I like to do that cause I have eaten my healthy stuff so I don't feel guilty eating a treat later!
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