06/02/2012

Finally....fun exercise

Bought myself a mini-trampoline late last year, a Jumpsport 350.  Was delivered in the first week of January. I must give Amazon props for always delivering as ordered, and in quick time.

Can't exactly remember how I stumbled upon trampolines, but I found myself amazed at the expansive market for them and the claims re benefits of rebounding. I was especially interested in the weight loss benefits, although I soon realized that losing weight was just one part of the equation.

So, the trampoline was delivered, collected after an almost 4-hour wait at Customs at Piarco, and taken home.  That night I read the instructions, fitted on the legs, and tentatively stepped on.

Whoaow... I was bouncing! And then I was over-balancing and falling off! I laughed and laughed, stepped back on and tried again. It took me several days of jumping to learn how to balance, although it has been one month now since I have it, and still sometimes I find myself teeter-tottering a wee bit. It was a most excellent time of adventure.

At first, I thought that I was jumping wrong, perhaps my posture was incorrect, because my calves very very quickly began to hurt, as did under my feet, whether I jumped in shoes or not.  Took me a while to realize that my calf muscles were only just waking up, and as for my feet, they eventually became accustomed to slapping against the mat.

I tried out all sorts of exercises - my favourite right now is running on the spot, lifting my legs as high as I could.  I did the health bounce, twists, jumping jacks and whatever else I could think of.  Using the trampoline is actually aerobics on a rebound surface - perfect for my back and wonky knees. Only wished the mat were a bit bigger though, but the bungy cords make for a very quiet and smooth movement.

Last week, while walking to work, it dawned on me that I was walking faster than usual, and my legs were not tired.  I was elated!  Something was happening here, and I loved it! Even if there had been no weight loss yet, my legs were becoming stronger. Nice.

I jump twice a day - morning and night.  Have found that the after work fatigue is replaced by a different, more enjoyable fatigue after jumping, a 'whoo, that was good!' sort of tired.

I like it.

So, this is an account of my first month foray into the world of rebounding. By the end of February, I expect to be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.  No? How about the third month? Fourth? Jeez, then what's the point?

Ah, I remember.....fun exercise. Yes, people, those two words can be used together in a sentence.

Try it.  You'll like it.

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