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Aug. 1st, 2025 02:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsIt's been a while but to catch up. I finally got to see Fantastic 4 on Sunday, and really enjoyed it. We were supposed to go on Saturday originally, but realised we'd double booked ourselves with a day out that had been organised with James' team from work. Everyone was going to meet at Tynemouth, and while meeting new-to-me people at the beach wasn't first on my list of enjoyable things to do, I was still looking forward to it -- a little anyway.
But, in the end, that didn't happen as James had an AMC flair on Friday and had to come home from work. He's got a bit of a clawed hand atm, and was in his wheelchair when we went out at the weekend, but will be fine. Really, all that helps is time, and he's been to the doctors on Monday, who wanted to sign him off work for two weeks, but settled for one for now, extending if needed.
We had gone to MetroCentre to see Fantastic 4, and they were having a FanFest thing going on with various cos players and fannish stalls going on. We got some fun photos, and checked out lots of merch, and it was a good way to spend some time before the film. I posted some photos on Insta if people are interested.
I watched The Old Guard 2 last week and it was okay. I've seen no one discuss it though, unless I've missed those posts, which is surprising considering how popular the first film seemed to be.
I was at class last Wednesday, and there was new equipment, a big box that was about thigh height. I'd seen such things in gym videos before, and mostly they have people jumping on them, but I thought, surely, Rosie will know none of the class can do that? She did tease a bit by mentioning it was usually used for jumping on, but all we had to do was place one foot flat on the top, but with purpose. And let me tell you, it was hard!
It was only a small turn out of people who've been going for a long time now, so Rosie pushed intensity, even getting to the usual cool down then adding on twenty behind the head weighted lifts followed by twenty weighted squats, doing that trainer thing of counting up, then down so she could sneak more in. So sneaky, omg.
She's off for a fortnight now, so next Wednesday the lady who's been shadowing her will take the class, the Wed after we have off. Hopefully, that damn box will stay hidden.
ETA as I've had this in drafts for a while. The class was okay on Wednesday but very much a 'weight management class for beginners' The woman taking the class was nice, but really underestimated the ability of the people doing the exercises and nothing was challenging. I mean, one spot on the circuit was sit to stands from a chair, which is basic level stuff and was literally standing up and then sitting back down. There wasn't even any weights to make it a bit challenging. Another spot was picking up and putting down a kettlebell, and not even a heavy one.
Though one thing, that class showed me big time how far I've come in terms of doing exercise. I never thought I'd be complaining that things were too easy, but that's exactly what happened. Rosie is off next Wed too, so I'll be glad when she's back.
I've been to the gym quite a few times, keeping to my two gym visits, one class visit schedule, that including this morning. I'm trying some new things each time. Including hanging in the free weight section where I had my first go using the barbells. I even changed the grip on the pull down lat machine myself, and for a moment actually felt like I knew what I was doing.
This morning I used the air bike and ski pull down machines for the first time. The first was horrible, the second I quite enjoyed, though as it's right in the entrance everyone would have got a good look at my bingo wings flapping around *g*
Other things this week. I went with James to the limb centre so he could have new straps put on his legs. Then yesterday we took my MiL out for lunch, just staying locally, but it was a nice day.
But, in the end, that didn't happen as James had an AMC flair on Friday and had to come home from work. He's got a bit of a clawed hand atm, and was in his wheelchair when we went out at the weekend, but will be fine. Really, all that helps is time, and he's been to the doctors on Monday, who wanted to sign him off work for two weeks, but settled for one for now, extending if needed.
We had gone to MetroCentre to see Fantastic 4, and they were having a FanFest thing going on with various cos players and fannish stalls going on. We got some fun photos, and checked out lots of merch, and it was a good way to spend some time before the film. I posted some photos on Insta if people are interested.
I watched The Old Guard 2 last week and it was okay. I've seen no one discuss it though, unless I've missed those posts, which is surprising considering how popular the first film seemed to be.
I was at class last Wednesday, and there was new equipment, a big box that was about thigh height. I'd seen such things in gym videos before, and mostly they have people jumping on them, but I thought, surely, Rosie will know none of the class can do that? She did tease a bit by mentioning it was usually used for jumping on, but all we had to do was place one foot flat on the top, but with purpose. And let me tell you, it was hard!
It was only a small turn out of people who've been going for a long time now, so Rosie pushed intensity, even getting to the usual cool down then adding on twenty behind the head weighted lifts followed by twenty weighted squats, doing that trainer thing of counting up, then down so she could sneak more in. So sneaky, omg.
She's off for a fortnight now, so next Wednesday the lady who's been shadowing her will take the class, the Wed after we have off. Hopefully, that damn box will stay hidden.
ETA as I've had this in drafts for a while. The class was okay on Wednesday but very much a 'weight management class for beginners' The woman taking the class was nice, but really underestimated the ability of the people doing the exercises and nothing was challenging. I mean, one spot on the circuit was sit to stands from a chair, which is basic level stuff and was literally standing up and then sitting back down. There wasn't even any weights to make it a bit challenging. Another spot was picking up and putting down a kettlebell, and not even a heavy one.
Though one thing, that class showed me big time how far I've come in terms of doing exercise. I never thought I'd be complaining that things were too easy, but that's exactly what happened. Rosie is off next Wed too, so I'll be glad when she's back.
I've been to the gym quite a few times, keeping to my two gym visits, one class visit schedule, that including this morning. I'm trying some new things each time. Including hanging in the free weight section where I had my first go using the barbells. I even changed the grip on the pull down lat machine myself, and for a moment actually felt like I knew what I was doing.
This morning I used the air bike and ski pull down machines for the first time. The first was horrible, the second I quite enjoyed, though as it's right in the entrance everyone would have got a good look at my bingo wings flapping around *g*
Other things this week. I went with James to the limb centre so he could have new straps put on his legs. Then yesterday we took my MiL out for lunch, just staying locally, but it was a nice day.
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Date: 2025-08-01 01:57 pm (UTC)Sending good vibes for James!
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Date: 2025-08-02 05:29 pm (UTC)I think at this point Rosie has known us long enough she knows she can get a bit tough. But that count down, then up thing did surprise me when she did it. And I still think, sneaky Rosie!
James is getting by, still has his clawed hand, but at least is moving better.
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Date: 2025-08-01 02:07 pm (UTC)Do you have any leeway to add weights even if the instructor doesn't suggest it?
I'm glad you're taking the chance to try new machines! I'm half excited, and have concerned, about joining a new gym and trying new machines. I know this hotel the conventions are in has a 'fitness room,' but I don't think it has many things in it. I've always been a chicken to go check it out as I'm concerned I won't be able to figure out how to turn on or use the darn things! LOL
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Date: 2025-08-02 05:25 pm (UTC)Do you have any leeway to add weights even if the instructor doesn't suggest it?
That would have been helpful, but sadly she didn't have anything but the smallest dumbells and kettlebells out of storage. What Rosie does is set out four different weights of the dumbells, and depending on ability people can either use no weights, or go up to the heaviest. This time we had no choice, it was the smallest or nothing.
What I did, and my friend who I always partner up with, did was adapt as best we could. For example, doing body weight squats instead of the sit to stands. Which wasn't much, but at least increased the intensity a little.
I've always been a chicken to go check it out as I'm concerned I won't be able to figure out how to turn on or use the darn things!
Oh, I totally understand that, which is why I always wait until it's quiet to try something new. So yeah, I get how you feel. My next thing to try is the stairmaster, but I keep chickening out as you have to climb up via two little step things on the frame to actually step on the stairs. I keep imagining doing that, getting to the top, pressing the wrong button and getting thrown off *g*
Saying that, I have every faith that you would figure things out, and do the machines well.
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Date: 2025-08-02 06:28 pm (UTC)The hotel one, yeah, not sure about that. I don't think any employee hangs out in the room. You need to use your key card to get in. But the walls are floor-to-ceiling glass and it's in a busy spot so anyone can walk by and stare in at you. It's also very small. My recollection from YEARS ago is they only have two things in there, like a treadmill and maybe a cycle thing. But again, it's been YEARS since I peeked in, so maybe there are more things than I remember in there.
It's an interesting hotel. In the main part, the four elevators are in the center, and when you get off on your floor, you have to walk from the center elevator part, out to the edge. There, the rooms are in a square, and you can look over the railing to the full courtyard area. You can see the restaurant, the bar, the front desk, and other stuff. I forget how many rooms are on each side, but I've often just walked around that outer corridor, passing all the rooms. And if I want to change direction, I cut down that center walkway that goes to the elevators, but walk all the way through, then change directions when I get to the far side with the rooms. But it's not that far. I think it's maybe only 1/4 mile all the way around. It gets boring because it takes so many laps to get any distance in, and you end up walking around and around the maids and such.
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Date: 2025-08-02 09:04 am (UTC)I saw the pics, that looks so fun! (And obviously I loved Fantastic 4 too🖤)
I’d forgot the old guard 2 was coming, I saw something about it the other month but then nothing. Which like you say is weird cause the first one got hyped. Sometimes it feels Netflix is really bad at encouraging hype then complains when things don’t do as well when really it’s their own fault.
Sounds like the classes are going pretty well
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Date: 2025-08-02 04:49 pm (UTC)Fantastic 4 was great, and so was the fan event. The Dalek was great, and I was amused about how its handler kept making it spin around while I was trying to get the perfect photo.
Exactly that about The Old Guard 2, the first one seemed to be everywhere, and this one, nothing. If there isn't a third film due to lack of promotion, I'll be annoyed as it needs to tie up the story.
The classes are going well. I can't believe I actually enjoy them so much now.
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Date: 2025-08-02 11:26 am (UTC)Yay for seeing how much progess you've made! Though it seems odd that the woman who shadowed Rosie was so off on the abilities of the group. o_O Double yay for continuing with the gym!
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Date: 2025-08-02 04:44 pm (UTC)I have to agree.
Pedro made an interesting Reed, not bad, but different to what I was expecting. I'm also amused I seem to see him everywhere atm, including the trailer for Materialists, which I've seen multiple times now, and where he stars alongside Chris Evans *g*
Though it seems odd that the woman who shadowed Rosie was so off on the abilities of the group. o_O
She misjudged so badly, which is weird as she'd been to two of Rosie's classes, just watching what we did. The routine would have been perfect for an absolute beginner who hadn't been mobile for a long time, but everyone there was well past that point.
She did do one fun twist at the end where she divided and lined the group up and had us pick up a small kettlebell and walk to the chair and back, making a sort of relay race. But even that was only a few feet to walk, and only done once each, so at the end it was like, is that it?
So yeah, I think she has some ideas, just isn't there yet in terms of actually looking at the people she's coaching and tailoring the exercises to suit.
And listen to me, thinking I'm some kind of expert now *g*
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Date: 2025-08-04 06:51 pm (UTC)Rosie is such an evil teacher ;-D That box thing sounds really evil though!
A bit strange that the substitute woman got the ability level so wrong when she'd been shadowing Rosie beforehand. You should be really proud of yourself for having come so far with your exercising!
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Date: 2025-08-06 03:12 pm (UTC)The box is evil! Worse than the three level step.
I still don't understand how the shadowing trainer got it so wrong. I would have understood more if she hadn't been to two previous classes, but as she had. She would have seen that everyone there was well past the exercises she'd planned.