Physical Funness for the Motion Starved

Fit more fun into your fitness while exploring the outdoors.

Tag Archives: kelley


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Take things in small bits

Falling Tree

Ever look at a photo of yourself and think, “gawd I look bad,” or some variation on that theme? I’m guessing that we all have. No matter how good you might look to someone else, we always seem to find something we don’t like about ourselves.

While I don’t subscribe to self-loathing thoughts, I do feel that we can learn from photos of ourselves.

For instance, the photo above is of me attempting a “Tree Pose.” While I’m no yoga master, I know enough to recognize that my form in this particular photo leaves something to be desired. I know better than to make the errors I made in this effort and I’m one of those people who feel that form is everything.  In my mind, you should strive for good form in everything you do. In athletic endeavors, form is as important as speed. You can’t go fast unless you have good form. This is a rule I live by. So, you can imagine how disappointed I was to see this photo of myself looking like a lopsided tree rather than the strong, Zen form I was attempting.

With that, I would like: Each of you reading this to find one recent photo of yourself that exposes something that you disapprove of. Then, I want you to make an effort this week to fix what you see. It’s just for this week. Sure, the changes you might want to make may need longer than a week to revise but taking things one week at a time is a start. I say lets take things in small bits. Large goals or changes can be intimidating. For now, all I’m asking is that you focus on one thing, for one week. You can do anything for a single week! Right?

So, for me, I have a list of things about myself that need revising but for this week (based on this one photograph) I’m going to focus on my yogic form, specifically my “Tree Pose.” I’ll do some research to confirm, but I know that my head should be centered and that my foot should never rest on my knee-joint (can be above or below). I know that my hips should be facing forward rather than the one hip that is scooching inward. While I realize that most of you reading this can’t imagine why I am so concerned about my Tree Pose, I want to remind you that we all have our issues, and for the purpose of this post, this is mine. So, look at some innocent photos of yourself and find one small thing to work on this week.

Are ya with me?


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This is your chance to put the hurt on Kelley

Not my comfort zone

Hi! I know you’re out there, I can see from the site stats that quite a few people are looking at this site. I don’t know who you are, but I know you’re there, and I know that you’re from all over the world. That’s pretty cool. I just wish I had some idea of who you are, are you “old,” young, fit, wanna be fit? Are you male or female?

Anyway, it doesn’t really matter who you are, but frankly I’m getting a little bored trying to figure out how to inspire you, and I hope you’re not bored as well. I’m thinking, we need a challenge. Something to kick-start my creative juices and fire us all up for “Cookie Eating Season.” What do you think?

Here’s what I suggest: A fitness challenge. You and me and anyone who wants to join us. It can be anything, just as long as it gets us out of our comfort zones.

You know what a comfort zone is right? It’s a place were you feel comfortable, I don’t mean your bed, it’s a state of mind. Example; I have a tendency to run/ride/workout at a certain (not so impressive) pace. A pace where I feel very comfortable. I don’t push myself out of that comfortable zone, so I rarely see much improvement in my fitness.  The only way to get outside of that zone is to try a new sport, do something completely different or push yourself way past your perceived limits. Shake things up. Understand?

Back to the challenge, the challenge can be anything, a daylong challenge, week-long, or month-long. A running challenge, stair climbing, rope jumping, you could challenge a certain number of squats or some other exercise, a dance class, anything you like. Make it something realistic but challenging, and remember you gotta do it too. What do you think? Play with me?

If you win the challenge, you get a $10 iTunes gift card and lots of props. If I win, you say nice things about me to everyone you know and I keep the gift card.

Lastly, since we can’t do this challenge in person/together (unless you’re in San Francisco). We’ll need to play fair and trust each other. For fun, I request that we share photos or perhaps a little video, something to show the challenge in action, just for fun, no big deal!  I won’t post anything unless you say it’s okay. I promise you that!

So… who wants to play? Who wants to be the first to challenge me? Don’t be shy, be brave! What do you have to lose?


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Labor Day extended….

Hi All! I hope you had a wonderful long, Labor Day weekend. It’s time now to get back to business and start working on a survival plan to get us through the rapidly approaching Holiday Season (Or cookie eating season as I refer to it).

But before we do that I’m going to be taking a few extra days off to recharge my batteries and work up a solid approach.

While all classes will be in session this week, blog posts will not be updated until next Monday 9/12. Until then I ask you all to consider your fall fitness goals and look into signing yourself up for an event to keep you motivated.

While I’m away, remember to eat your five colors a day, stay hydrated, stretch and get at least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week. Oh…and learn something new while you’re at it.

See you soon…


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Learn from Aunt Kelley

Banana Slugger

This is going to be a short lesson today because I can’t really type. It’s a long story but basically I burned the top of my hand really badly (second degree style). Then, I went hunting for Banana Slugs with my nephew and let a couple of slugs crawl on my charred hand, getting really dirty and slimy. The next day I went swimming in the kinda gunky Russian River and, lo and behold I woke up this morning with a hand so swollen it’s close to twice the size of the other one. Not a pretty sight as you can imagine.  With that, I’ve spent much of today freaking out in one way or another while watching doctors marvel at the mess I made of myself.

Anyway, looking back at the events of the last few days it seems pretty clear where I went wrong, but at the time I was having too much fun to worry about something that “might happen.” The lesson for today is don’t be a dumbass like me, be respectful of your body when you wound it. You can really mess yourself up. Take my word for it, or if you like I’ll send you a photo of my oozing elephant hand (that may never be the same again because of my stupidity).

Have a good weekend! I’ll be back Monday with something more chipper (unless my hand explodes).


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Rubber Feet?

Caveman running

I’ve been asked quite a few times lately what I think of those FiveFinger shoes, aka Barefoot runners, Skeletoes, etc. You know what they are…those shoes that look like Rubber Feet.* Remember toe socks? Like those, but made outa rubber.

The thinking behind Rubber Feet is that modern-day running shoes provide too much support and cushion, therefore changing the biomechanics of running, causing injury. They use the example of how children run before they walk, and that they seem to launch at full speed everywhere sans shoes. They also claim that cavemen used to run for miles and miles just fine sans fancy shoes. Apparently donning Rubber Feet is like being barefoot, but with a thin barrier between you and the earth. Call it, Paleolithic-old-school and the answer to pain-free running.

Here’s what I think (brace yourself). First of all… sure, kids run like crazy for a few yards in the grass or inside the house, not down the road for 10k, or up some single track covered with rock. The caveman point is especially fun as I’ve never seen a caveman that didn’t appear to have walked all hunched over looking like he was in unbearable pain. My guess is, his feet his back and everything else hurt because he spent all day running on rock! Not only that, but cavemen only lived for about 20 years. I bet if they had to run around for another 30 years sans shoes they’d have figured out how to stitch up some nice fat pads for their trashed tootsies.

Basically, I don’t buy the Rubber Feet hype. In my mind it doesn’t add up, they look incredibly stupid, they make an annoying slapping sound as they trot along, more seriously, I’ve never once seen a person wearing them that didn’t look like they were in severe pain. During my last half marathon (on the trail) my Asics Trail Runners and me started just behind a young man wearing a pair of Rubber Feet. When the whistle blew the man took off running, a mile and a half up the road I passed him as he limped along delicately navigating each small pebble in the trail. I never saw him again, guessing he didn’t finish.

If your feet hurt when you run then you need to learn how to run properly. If you don’t support proper running form and mechanics, your shoe choice will not change anything. Learn proper running form and then play around with footwear if you like. My suggestions, hire a running coach, attend a clinic or take a class. Don’t just jump on the Rubber Feet bandwagon.

Now…I realize that I’m not being completely fair, as I have not personally tried to run in Rubber Feet. I am only sharing my educated opinion. With that, if you wish to prove me wrong and or convince me that running in Rubber Feet is a good thing, I invite you to send me a pair and I will happily try them, and revise my post accordingly. I take a size 9.

P.s. If you want to run barefoot, go to the beach and run in the sand. That’s something I approve of whole-heartedly. Stand tall, pick your knees up and have fun!

* The term Rubber Feet is a Kelleyism used to refer to “shoes” that look like fat rubber feet, make annoying slapping sounds when they hit the ground, look stupid and don’t make sense, in her mind.


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Lanterne Rouge

Kelley's Red Lantern

It’s not whether you win or lose it’s how you play the game, right? Well, we don’t always feel that way but it’s true. When I was racing bikes I heard one of my teammates husbands say to her as we were leaving for a race, “don’t come home if you don’t win.” He’s now her ex husband, I believe.

In bike racing an award is given to the last rider to finish the race, it’s called The Lanterne Rouge. The idea behind the Lanterne Rouge is to celebrate finishing the race rather than giving up. Riders often compete to come in last rather than just near the back as the rider that comes in last is remembered, while those who finish a few places ahead are forgotten.

The term Lanterne Rouge translates to Red Lantern and is derived from the red lantern that was placed on the caboose of a railway train.  The engineer would look at the light from the engine to make sure that no cars had come uncoupled.

In life, as in athletics hanging on is not easy when things get ugly. It’s much easier to give up, but where’s the challenge and sense of pride in that? Finishing what you’ve started and giving it your best effort is a major achievement and worthy of praise.

In my life I have taken first place, I have taken The Red Lantern and I have given up. I’m very proud of my wins and my last place finish, but I hugely regret the times I gave up, and the things I have not been brave enough to attempt.

Lets remember to celebrate the effort, as well as the outcome. As one of the Race With The Bus participants said to me as he was walking away, “we’re all winners.”

Happy Humpday!


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Independence = freedom

Chilly water, only the brave dare...

During my workout class at the beach tonight, I spied a notably chubby 30 something fellow stripping down to nakedness, aside from his remarkably tight swim trunks. I peaked at him as he dropped his trousers, hoisted off his shirt and stuffed them into an equally over stuffed backpack. As he wrenched on his fluorescent orange swim cap I found myself commenting to my clients about how he needed to join our abdominal workout. You see, this fellow wasn’t the sort that most of us would find suited to bare himself in public and certainly not wearing such an ensemble. He was quite a chubbster, clad in gear that only emphasized that fact.

As the snarky comments slid from my lips I immediately felt horrid. Who the hell was I to say such things? This fellow was proud and clearly not affected by the “rules’ of the world. He was living his life and doing as he pleased. For this I should be giving him props and envy his moxie.

To the chubby fellow I say, “You go boy.” I support your independent ways and I apologize for my shallow thoughts and snarky words. I confess to you that I’m a woman who swims only to keep from drowning, and frankly, I could use a few ab exercises myself. To you I say, live and let live, may the force be with you, and you’ve inspired me to take a plunge into the ice-cold bay in my less than appropriate swimming costume (that’ll be a story for another day).

To the rest of the world, may you all enjoy a wonderful, safe, Independence Day weekend. And if you happen run into someone who’s not exactly the way you think they should be: Stop for a second and look past the exterior, you might witness something inspiring.

I’ll be back on Monday, until then, travel, celebrate and exercise safely…


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Crumbs in my keyboard

Standin' tall

It’s come to my attention that I’m spending a large amount of my time on my blog and not enough time bringing home the bacon. With that, I’ve decided to post only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Three days a week should allow me more time to score some bacon and put some punch into my posts. At the very least I hope catch a few of my errors.

In turn, this slow down will allow you more time to keep up on all the engrossing information I choose to share. Five posts a week is a lot to read and I know you read every one of them. Right?

So, enjoy your Tuesdays & Thursdays off, if you need something to do in place of reading one of my posts, I suggest walking up a hill, up some stairs or around the block. Easy as that.

Tomorrow I’ll be back with a very important reminder. The image at the top of this post is a clue…


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All Personal Trainers are not created equal


We’ll talk more next week about how to pick a Personal Trainer.  For now, I send you off for the weekend with a short glimpse into what it’s like to attend one of my classes.

Note: My client Diana has been having a hard time at work lately. I took that into consideration when planning todays workout (watch the :16 second video).

Enjoy your weekend. Get some exercise and do 200 crunches minimum, I’d prefer you do at least 500, but I told my clients 200 was okay.

See you Monday. Make me proud…


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Is it Friday yet?

Geez, I’m not feeling it this week. Not feeling the love! Call me Cranky Kelley. Why? Who the hell knows? I have absolutely nothing to complain about. Everything in my life is moving along smoothly. I have everything and more that should make a person “happy. ” I think the problem is that I need an adventure, some “drama” or some “trouble,” something problematic to talk about. Doing the same wonderful thing day after day does not suit me. I need trouble.

With that I feel that I’ve become boring. I can’t think of anything to talk about that is in the least bit interesting. I have notes on Iron Deficiency and Dry Skin, things that might interest you, but alas…they bore me so I can’t finish them.

When I was young my Dad told me, “ If you don’t bring anything to the party, then you don’t belong there.” Meaning, if you don’t add positively to a situation, then you’re a drip! Another saying I subscribe to is “If you don’t have anything interesting to say, shut the hell up!” That’s how I’ve been feeling the last few days. With that, I shall shut the hell up and offer you a few words that I have stolen from various magazines.

  • Slice a bagel lengthwise into thirds. Keep the ends and toss out the center. You will have the illusion that you’re eating the full bagel, and you’ll save 120 calories.
  • Eat Canadian bacon rather than sausage or regular bacon with your breakfast and you’ll save 100-200 calories.
  • Eat a tablespoon of peanuts and a tablespoon of chocolate chips instead of a pack of Peanut M&M’s and you’ll save 127 calories.

There you go…