January 26 is National Pistachio Day; the Chinese call the pistachio the happy nut; in Iran, it’s called the smiling nut. So happy national happy smiling nut day, you mighty nutty queerfitters…no better way to celebrate than with…squats.
How’d you know?
Every other day, we’ve been doing lots of squats. It’s starting to feel like the normal thing to do, isn’t it? Let’s step things up today, to give some respect to the pistachio, to yourself, and to the AMAZING week you’re about to have. We’re doing 5 sets of 20 weighted squats, using the weight of your choice. You should do these throughout the day, using a variety of weights. You can hold the weight close to your chest or, if you have experience in a good overhead squat, you can go overhead. Some options for close to your chest: a small child, your dog, a gallon of milk, a bag of dog food, bag of laundry, a heavy purse, a rock, your backpack. Overhead, you can hoist an office chair, a broomstick, a small child, your dog, two gallons of milk…
Let us know your five objects. For the pistachios! For you! For the awesome week ahead!
January 25, 2015
KungLi
27 responses to “Mon. – 1/26 Happy National Happy Smiling Nut Day”
Cindy Lutenbacher
January 26th, 2015 at 12:40
Well…I got in 90 squats before time to see the knee doc. She says no more squats, lunges, or burpees until I get things aright. Gave me a bunch of exercises to strengthen muscles on the inside of my knees, as well as a ‘scrip for PT. So I’ll substitute those exercises–or any that any of you wonderful coaches can suggest. Problem is old age loss of cartilage and outer leg/thigh muscles being stronger and pulling the patellas slightly off.
Glo
January 26th, 2015 at 19:03
Cindy – I had that exact problem with my outer quad being stronger than my inner quad and pulling my patella out of alignment. It was so bad I couldn’t even walk – seriously, and I was only 25 at the time. But I went to PT, kept at the quad strengthening exercises (that I do til this day), bought a foam roller and worked out my iliotibial band, and can now squat with the best of them (icing afterwards, of course). So I think this is wonderful! You have nothing but stronger quads and healthy knees ahead of you. 🙂
Cindy Lutenbacher
January 27th, 2015 at 07:14
Thanks, Glo! That’s just the kind of encouragement I need. If you don’t mind, I’ll bring the exercises with me tonight–maybe you can tell me which ones are the best. If I never squat again, um, Queerfittingly, that is, I won’t mind. But I definitely want to be able to race up to my third-floor classroom with satchel and coffee in hand without grimacing all the way…
Shae
January 26th, 2015 at 20:13
Of course you know I’m a huge proponent of PT.
Go get right! You know KL can think of plenty of other ways to torture (I mean train) you.
Cindy Lutenbacher
January 27th, 2015 at 07:17
Thanks, Shae! And true that–KungLi is not only a magnificent writer (in my not-so-humble opinion), a delicious human, and a rad leader, but also one helleracious trainer. She’ll probably have me doing chin-ups with my pinkies.
Cindy Lutenbacher
January 27th, 2015 at 07:19
Forgot to add that I used a 1.5 liter bottle…mostly full.
Chris
January 26th, 2015 at 14:45
Sorry to hear that Cindy! Hope you’re feeling alright!
I just finished with 9 lbs on each shoulder for the first 60, and 12 lbs on each shoulder for the last 40.
Cindy Lutenbacher
January 26th, 2015 at 16:13
Thanks, Chris! but I’m feeling hopeful. AND I would be most grateful for any encouragement to do these exercises, for they’re so boring, relative to the delicious tornado of Queerfit.
eunicehcho
January 26th, 2015 at 16:17
Go Cindy!!
My weights: coffee pot (full of coffee); stack of law books; then a fire extinguisher (that was the best).
Lisa
January 26th, 2015 at 17:14
Eunice that is awesome!
Cindy Lutenbacher
January 26th, 2015 at 17:19
Love it, Eunice!
Lisa
January 26th, 2015 at 17:23
Done! First set with an uncooperative cat who bailed midway. Subsequent sets with a box of papers & a stack of books. Last sets overhead w a broom and a barstool.
researchjen
January 26th, 2015 at 20:16
Good job everyone!!! Just finished: yoga mat, office chair, kitchen chair (2 sets), wrapped it up with a Kitchenaid mixer…those things are damned heavy!
Glo
January 26th, 2015 at 20:35
Check. I tried to do these with the pups but they weren’t feeling it.
Daniel
January 26th, 2015 at 21:26
Done. With a duffle bag full of game systems.
Roan
January 26th, 2015 at 21:28
I didn’t have a small child nearby to lift, so I used 2 15-lb weights. I would have tried the dog but he’s too squirmy.
Empish Thomas
January 26th, 2015 at 22:48
All done. I did not have five weighty objects so I just used two 8 pound dumbbells instead.
Anushka
January 26th, 2015 at 22:55
Done !
Tif
January 26th, 2015 at 23:07
Squats with the Blue, a box spring I had to move, and a cup of water lol
Holiday
January 26th, 2015 at 23:19
Done with 5 different kinds of chairs at different weights.
zahra
January 26th, 2015 at 23:59
waiting to the last min is not the bizz. they done doe.
Alsie
January 27th, 2015 at 00:09
A cooling space heater, an aging printer, half empty box of org literature, little honeys family’s kettle bell, and a storage container full of a four year olds pajamas. fun challenge!
efiada77
January 27th, 2015 at 00:33
Boring old dumbbells for me, too – 1st set of 20 w/10 lbs. on shoulders, 2nd set with 10 + 6lbs. on each side–several hours later, 3rd set w/10 lbs. on shoulders again, 4th set with dumbbells vertical, chest high (knees touching quads) & 5th set w/a twist for obliques.
Monaco Jones
January 27th, 2015 at 00:37
Did my squats with a bicycle and a giant vase. Super fun.
Ash
January 27th, 2015 at 00:40
Done. I used a chair.
Jocelyn
January 27th, 2015 at 01:20
Done. Two sets overheads with 1 folding chair, then 1 set overheads with 2 folding chairs. Threw in a couple of sets with a really heavy extra large stone mortar and pestle, too.
Cecilia
January 27th, 2015 at 02:42
Done! It was fun trying to think of what I could squat with in my moms tiny studio, so here’s what I found: 1 set with a 4 gallon jug that we guesstimated was about a gallon, another with a full trash can, another with the gallon jug in one arm & suavitel (softener) in the other, then switched arms at 10, one set overhead with 4 yearbooks + big vegetarian cookbook, and final set with her bike!!! (took small break in between 10)