Friday, July 19, 2013

CHALLENGED ACCEPTED

One of the best characters ever...besides Buffy, of course.

Last week, I talked about my super cool (okay, well, I felt freaking super cool) stairs challenge (see post here). I weirdly out of nowhere decided to walk down 15 flights of stairs. I was amazed to hear from people on how they were inspired to maybe take the stairs now or that they already do it. This really is a cheap, burn some freaking calories exercise (not at all easy). At the end of the post, I posted a challenge to myself that I would attempt going up the stairs this week.

CHALLENGE FREAKING ACCEPTED and ACCOMPLISHED! BOOM!

This week, I walked down the 15 flight of stairs Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but plum forgot on Thursday. So, I knew that I would be doubling up today to make up for that missed exercise. Why not  make one of those the UP direction? I brought my lunch and really had no reason to go downstairs. Right before lunch, I got up from my desk and headed down the stairs...all the way down.

On a side a note, I noticed that the lights dim at the 9th floor. I always forget and think I'm about to pass out until I get to the 7th floor where they go back to full bright.

I got to the bottom and just stood there for a minute resting and basically talking myself in to doing this up thing. I sent Jim a text to tell him that if he doesn't hear from me in an hour, call someone. And then I was on my way...slowly...painfullly...grabbing both handrails to steady myself. I got to the 2nd floor and sent him another text telling him this already hurts.

My breathing was crazy. My face was flushed. My back was dripping with sweat. My heart was beating super fast as what I imagine a hummingbird heartbeat is like. I sent him a text at the 8th floor to tell him I'm over halfway there and then I rested for a couple of minutes. Mainly, I had to catch my breath. I kept on going and going, slowly and slowly.

But then, I finally made it to the 15th floor. Frak Yes! My legs were jelly and I could barely open the door, but I made it. And of course, someone had to stop me to ask a question as I'm white as a ghost, can barely speak over the breathing, and about to die. Typical. I'm finally just now feeling back to normal....somewhat. Although, I haven't tried to stand up yet from my chair.

Beers will be well deserved tonight, that's for sure.

Again, I pose this challenge to you. Get out there and take the stairs. Don't be afraid.

On another side note, I actually had two people at different times join me on the stairwell today, but only for one flight. It was weird to have people in there with me. You know, they could have been zombies. Next time, I will bring a weapon.

19 comments:

  1. Remember, they don't do stairs very well, and you are ok if you have the high ground. Proud of you and keep it up, Kristi!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Todd!

      Unless you are in the movie World War Z where they can jump and move super fast.

      Delete
  2. Hooly hell. Pretty much admiring the hell out of you right now for being one determined chick. Keep it uuuuuup!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Suzanne! Although, I'm not sure it was that great of an idea. An hour later and I'm still feeling wiped out and I still have your workout to do this evening. EEK!

      Delete
  3. Kristi, I have been having trouble putting comments on this blog. But I will try again. Jim also has been having trouble.

    16 flights of stairs . . . WOW! But then you go come and drink BEER! At least it is good for your heart. I have been keeping up with your exercise program on Myfitnesspal. Its a great app. Downloaded today and see just how much calories you eat in a day. I've lost now 28 lbs. from when I started at the end of March.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmmmm...that's weird. But you got this one through. It might just be blogspot is going through PMS this week. I don't think it's that great. It doesn't even remove calories that I know I burn during strength training. It only removes calories for cardio exercises. That makes no sense. And it has little stuff there in the exercise.

      Very good mother. Congrats.

      Delete
  4. Remember, Zombies won't stop to ask you questions. Keep it up! If Brad Pitt can do it, so can you!
    Also, I work on the 1st floor. There's only so much stair training I can do.... I guess my only solace is hiding behind the poor souls stuck on the ground floor..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh they do...you just have to know how to read between the argggghhhhsss uggghhhhhhss and ahhhhhhhhsssss. That right there meant mmmmm....brains....mmmmmmm.

      Taking the stairs on the first floor is a big deal. I see too many people taking the elevator for one flight of stairs or they take the escalator (no walking it). You could add an extra challenge by running the stairs for five minutes. I'm not doing it.

      Delete
  5. I live on the second floor and I have been trying to take the stairs more than the elevator. the elevator is within 10 feet of where i park my car but if i am willing to run marathons, i should be able to go the extra 20 feet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for you! Taking the stairs is worth the extra walking.

      Delete
  6. I'm going back and forth between these 2 thoughts. "No fair. I don't live in a world of stairs. If only I could do what Kristi...what a great challenge!"

    and..."Whew! So glad I don't have stairs!"

    Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! I think most people are in the "I'm glad I don't have stairs" column. It was a fun challenge, but I had to take a break. My back didn't like it as much as I did. And boy did that going up 15 flights wipe me out for the day.

      Delete
  7. Thanks! And I love that show. I saw the preview for the fourth season and I"m giddy with excitement.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice work on the stairs! And I'm sorry I haven't responded to your FB message - life has been a bit crazy. Sorry to hear you won't be here for a while but totally understand. I don't thin I'm going to run it - Adam is doing it and I'd rather support him. I don't think you can pass your RN on though - I've tried. Bit mean but there you go.

    Anyway - nice work on the stair challenge - keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Petra and I totally understand. You are in America right now. Well, that is a shame that I can't transfer. I think it's excellent you are doing the support thing. I'm looking towards the Manchester Marathon in April if my foot will heal in enough time to train.

      Delete
  9. Congrats on your successful challenge completed! You are inspiring me :)You are so right- climbing stairs is a killer workout and I actually think it's fun too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks Maggie! It was certainly hard, but I think worth it. I think.

    ReplyDelete
  11. 15 stories....yikes...We just moved from our little studio in the 10th to an actual apartment just outside Paris. At our old place we had 7 stories and no elevator...when we first started we were winded by floor 4, but now we are champions at stairs. At our new place we have an elevator...which is awesome! We also live on the 9th floor, but are considering still taking the stairs, it's a decision that we have to be committed to. But the elevator definitely help during the move in! here's an interesting article called " There are no fat people in Paris"...It's really interesting...you'll find in Paris stairs are in front and the elevators are off to the side hidden just out of view, back in the states the complete opposite. Keep rockin it KW...Love the blog....

    http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/07/there-are-no-fat-people-in-paris/278162/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Chef. It was hard work and it's good that you two are going to consider the stairs instead of the elevator.

      And thanks for the article. It was an interesting read. I like that he points out how the people aren't really athletic thin, just thin. I would have to disagree with the AC, because I don't think many people survive to long without AC from May to October in Texas. Just saying.

      Delete

Thank you for your comments. I will respond shortly.