Phil stretched me at the Keiser machine and I attempted stands WITHOUT the half popcorn thing. Phil’s fist in place of that would suffice. I think I tried 2 or 3 times without standing fully to a *BINK.* Phil went to fill his cup with water and I told him to bring me some. He left and I stared up at the bar. My hand was still on it and my wheelchair was locked. I thought, “I CAN do this!” The worst thing that would happen would be that I would fall and then Phil would just have to pick me up off the floor. It wouldn’t be the first time. I grabbed the bar with my other hand and “pushed” more than I “pulled.” I stood up fully even without Phil’s hand separating my knees for balance.
A little while after I stood, Phil walked through the door carrying 2 cups. He looked at me and called me a bad word and we both began to laugh. I held the stand for only a little bit longer and then I sat down. He handed me a cup of water and asked, “why can’t you do that EVERY time?!” Well, I think he knows the answer to that question better than I do. I wish I could. I’m waiting to. I’m working to. It just doesn’t happen all the time… Yet.
I drank my water and then we headed to the plyo boxes. He sat me on the block on the end and told me to put my arms out to my sides and he was going to push my shoulders down as I bent over and I would have to sit up on my own. He had his hands on my shoulders ready to begin and rolled his eyes as I put my arms in front of me to start in first position. He was in my way so he let go of my shoulders. Hey – that is one-third of ALL of the ballet I know and you are ALWAYS supposed to start off in first position. I think he pushed my shoulders down five times and it was DIFFICULT to recover. Then he had me lean back and sit up from my head being on the wall behind me. It wasn’t a full sit-up but I REALLY stunk at it. He asked me if I stopped working on my abs. Shamefully, I have. When this past winter got TOO unbearable for my body, I couldn’t wake up to do them. I have done them sporadically since the weather has gotten better but not 200 at a time. I told him that I am STILL Jabba the Hutt and I had to grab his fingers at like the 8th one for help.
Phil took me out to my car and I got in mostly by myself. We just gave each other five because I think Phil could tell how tired I was. As he was closing my door, he said, “Nice abs.” If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, I’d have a nickel. Last night before I went to sleep, I did 200 crunches with my shoulders leaving the bed each time. I texted Phil that I did them and that I could feel the burn. I will do them again tonight. Looks like Princess Leia is late to the party but it’s better late than never and Jabba’s GOTTA go!