KOYAK

My new favorite term: Koyak.

Technically it means tear or it can also be a verb - to tear. But in the context of sports and exercise, Koyak means to suffer. or burn out, or to struggle.

Picked this up from the people I generally do cardio with. Especially during the long slow ones, with the sun burning on your back, surely one or two will utter these words - "Damn koyak weh!"

It's my favorite term because it means I am working hard and pushing myself. To get better.

Today was my first comeback to strength training and stretching class after a looong sabbatical. Of course I explained a great detail about my knee injury, my shoulder, and what-nots. I am glad I have an instructor who remembers my injuries.

First she made me do a quadriceps stretch that also massage the knees. It took all my effort to not scream out or move because the tension in my knees were building up. But it was not painful; it was merely easing through the knots of my tendons.

Then we started with ab works. I am glad to say that although I struggle through the sets, at least it wasn't that hard.

The hardest was the arm strengthener. We did a series of Cobra poses that just did my triceps in. When we got to the lunges, my head felt lightheaded. We did the whole thing with no ceiling fan or aircond on.

Can't wait for a totally punishing but no doubt satisfying cardio tomorrow. I am looking forward to Koyak!

Have a great weekend everyone. And Happy Chinese New Year to my Chinese friends!

pilates

Woke up early for pilates. The class was full when it started, I guess the instructor must be good. And it was indeed a punishing workout. He worked us on our arms and I felt like both of them were scorched, and was wondering when the hell would he work us on our abs since I came to this class mostly for core exercises. 

 Then he said, "that's the warmup, now to the abs!" 

And then I died.

 I have the weakest core and arms ever. This is the downside of being thin, it looks good with many clothes sure, but you don't function well in sports... and I love sports! urgh. I vowed myself to come to every pilates class he teaches. What a great torturous abs and arms workout. 

 Going to stuff myself with good food as possible and maybe do a short bike ride this pm.