Ann's Immaterium

Mostly physical culture but also writing, gaming, and other dark procrastinations

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Work Outs: February 20 – 26, 2022 (Alligator Lizards and Buddha’s Hand Fruit)

We were out on one of our walks this week when we saw the cheeky, little sprite pictured below. I took this picture and poked around online a bit to try and figure out the species but without any luck. I asked around and one of my sources told me it is a Southern Alligator Lizard and is very common in the Santa Cruz area.*

Sun, February 20th

Rest day. I could have worked out but I didn’t want to risk being sore (especially my legs) for class on Monday.

Calories: 2000, Protein: 160 g.

Mon, February 21st

  • Did some static and dynamic stretching for 30 minutes.
  • Attended a two hour pro wrestling class.

Calories: 1716, Protein: 150 g.

Tues, Feb 22nd

  • I followed along to Jack Lalane Season 1, Episode 5. I worked with the indian clubs during the parts of the episode when Jack was talking to the audience, and also put in about 10 minutes further with the 1 lb. indian clubs. For all of the weight work I kept moving between sets by doing dynamic stretches or just light movement.
  • DB Incline Press: 25 lbs. x 12 reps, 30 lbs. x 4 sets x 10 reps, 35 lbs. x 7 reps
  • (Tri Set) Light Spring Bar (Pronated/Supinated): (6/6) reps x 4 sets +
    • Tricep Pushdowns (straight handle): 40 lbs. x 10 x 12 reps, 45 lbs. x 9 x 8 reps
    • Fitness Bag Cleans: 4 sets x 8 reps
  • (Super Set) Heavy Spring Bar** (Pronated/Supinated): (4/3) reps x 2 sets, Lateral Raises 10 lbs. x 12 reps, Russian KB One-Handed Swings (2-ct): 15 reps +
    • BB Military Press: 44 lbs. x 4 sets x 8 reps

Calories: 2000, Protein: 151 g.

Since I was in Southern Alligator Lizard mode, I poked around on my phone and found an old picture I took in the summer of 2020, again at the state park near where I live, of what looks like another very similar but slightly different lizard sunning itself on a fallen tree.

All of this talk of reptiles and such reminds me of this brown dragon I saw (again in the same park) in 2019. And of course, who can forget The Dragons of USPS?

Wed, Feb 23rd

  • Morning Recumbent Bike: 30 Minutes, Hill Program, Level 6, RPMs: 80+
  • Afternoon Walk: 3.5 miles.

Calories: 2155, Protein: 147 g.

So I saw these things at the gas station we often go to when we want a cheap, touchless car wash. It also doubles as a small grocery store. I learned that this is a “fingered citron,” which is more commonly known in many countries as a Buddha’s Hand fruit.

My first thought was a better name might be Cthulhu’s Face.

I bought one and tried to eat it like you would any other fruit, but that didn’t go too well. I quickly learned that the thing is mostly peel and is usually used as a zest or garnish like a lemon.

I did a little reading and learned that people often put these in a room because they will give off a pleasing odor that can freshen a space for up to a couple of weeks. I think that I might buy another Cthulhu’s Face, if they turn up again, and try putting one in the dining room and seeing how it goes. Seems like it might be a pleasant and natural, occasional alternative to those plug-in air fresheners my husband likes to collect.

Thur, Feb 24th

  • I stretched for 20 minutes in the morning.
  • Afternoon Workout: I warmed up with dynamic stretching and some indian club work. With this workout there was no rest at all. I went from exercise to exercise and from set to set as quickly as I safely could.
  • (Tri Set) Standing Rows (hog bar): 60 lbs. x 4 sets x 12 reps +
    • CoC Grippers (Guide 60 lbs.) x 3 sets x 12 reps, (Sport 80 lbs.) x 8 reps (partials with left hand)
    • Low Toe Taps x 4 sets x 30 seconds
  • (Tri Set) Pulldowns (hog bar): 60 lbs. x 4 sets x 12 reps +
    • CoC Grippers (Sport, 80 lbs.) x 2 sets x 8 reps (partials with left hand), (Trainer, 100 lbs.) x 2 sets x 5 reps (partials)
    • Low Toe Taps x 4 sets x 30 seconds
  • (Tri Set) DB Bicep Curls: 12 lbs. x 4 sets x 12 reps +
    • Front Kick Stretch (each leg) x 4 sets x 12 reps
    • Laterally Step Over Kettlebell x 4 sets x 30 seconds
  • (Tri Set) BB Seated Wrist Curls: 44 lbs. x 4 sets x 12 reps +
    • Standing Calf Raises x 4 sets x 12 reps (two sets with straight legs, two sets with legs bent)
    • Arm Pumping for 30 seconds x 4 sets (Did it like Jack Lalane was doing in this video.)
  • (Tri Set) DB Reverse Wrist Curls: 8 lbs. x 4 sets x 12 reps +
    • DB Hammer Curls: 12 lbs. x 4 sets x 12 reps
    • Supine Leg Windmills: 4 sets x 30 revolutions
  • Evening Walk: 3 miles.

Calories: 2004, Protein: 186 g.

Fri, Feb 25th

  • Morning Recumbent Bike: 30 Minutes, Hill Program, Level 6, RPMs: 80+. Stretched for 15 minutes afterwards.
  • In the afternoon I worked with the 1 lb. indian clubs for 15 minutes and then stretched for 15 minutes.

Calories: 2000, Protein: 163 g.

Sat, Feb 26th

I put in a lot of physical labor helping with set up and tear down at a pro wrestling show. I also worked as security for the event.

Calories: 2130, Protein: 147 g.

I lost 2.25 lbs. this week. My total loss is 5.25 lbs. over two weeks.

* I thought the animal might be some kind of skink because of the head shape but my more knowledgeable source informs me that this is incorrect.

** I remember digging out the heavy spring bar almost a year-and-a-half ago now and I couldn’t even bend it for one full rep. That big, old thing is still no joke but I’m pleased with the progress I’ve made with it, especially since I haven’t prioritized or systematized working with it in a meaningful way.

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11 responses to “Work Outs: February 20 – 26, 2022 (Alligator Lizards and Buddha’s Hand Fruit)”

  1. Great progress on the workouts Ann, no mention of spandex though ! LOL great looking lizard, I thought a type of skink at first glance as well, the second picture gave a better view of the head shape where it get’s it’s name from. Strange looking fruit, have you ever tried dragon fruit, looks like it came straight out of some alien world movie.

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    • Thank you, Dave. I’m keeping after it as best I can. 🙂 Yes, I thought it was a pretty cool lizard and I’m glad I didn’t step on it although I almost did. I was sure it was a skink until I ask one of the local experts, who seems to know a lot about the flora and fauna in the area. Turns out those alligator lizards are very common where we live; I’ve seen them all the time without really knowing what kind of sprite I was looking at.

      I have tried dragon fruit and you are right, it does look very strange. I remember picking one up at the store and proclaiming, “Green Dragon Egg. Best send it back to the marsh before it hatches.” Naturally, the other shoppers around me thought I was a bit strange, probably because I tend to deliver such lines deadpan. Once I got it home and opened the thing up, I was surprised by guts. I didn’t think they tasted too bad but I wasn’t really impressed either. Certainly a lot better than the fingered citrons, which are almost all rind.

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  2. Interesting that it drops its tail,we have little skunk 6”max that does the same . We just got back from a holiday where we saw next to no wild life only to find that a tiger snake has skittles into our neighbors garage 😳I feel it must have hitched a ride under the car , it all ended well as the professional snake lass came and took it away 🤓.

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    • I guess giving up (temporarily, hopefully) your tail at a chance for continued breathing privileges is a pretty good adaptation. I googled the tiger snake and it seems like a cute, little creature aside from its venom and from what I read its “aggressive nature.” Glad you were able to get rid of the snake without having to kill it.

      I used to live in a place that had copperheads all over the place and if I let the grass get too long I’d have to put on a set of snake gaiters so I wouldn’t get bit. Needless to say, I didn’t let the grass get too long unless I was out on a summer deployment for a month or something.

      From what I hear you have a lot more poisonous stuff out your way than we did in Texas, though at the time it did seem like a lot.

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      • 😅😅😅I don’t think you would find to many people over here that would describe a tiger snake as cute 😉. I feel the tail dropping as it wriggles vigorously is to distract the attacker so it can make well its escape. We do have heaps of venomous critters but it’s rare for people to be bitten, and as snakes are a protected species one can be sure to get
        A big fine if caught killing them.

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    • That is a good point and you are right! If you look at the fruit in back of the yellow one you’ll (happily) see that they are green before they ripen so if you want a proper Cthulhu’s face, get them while they’re green! 🙂

      Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn.

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    • Yes, very busy week but in a good way. No wrestling shows that I have to go help with this month, though it’ll pick back up again in April. Looks like the summer is going to be very busy as well.

      Haha, you are right, that fruit does look like Sideshow Bob’s hair. It is funny you mentioned him because we just rewatched that episode where Bob marries Selma and then tries to kill her. I have always liked Sideshow Bob; I thought Kelsey Grammer did a great job with his voice.

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    • Yes, those alligator lizards do have really long tails; I noticed that too. I did a little reading this morning and learned that they can drop their tails if attacked and they will grow back though not as nice as the original. With the tail, they can be over a foot long, and the lizard in that first picture was definitely all of that. It has been quite some time, but as I vaguely recollect the other one was pretty good size too.

      Also learned they can live 10 – 15 years in the wild, which is neat. Apparently, they do well in captivity too. I used to have pet lizards for a while as a child, so I would have been all over having an alligator lizard if they had them in Maine. As a pet, I imagine you’d have to get them used to being handled, especially while they are young perhaps, because I read that they aren’t too keen on being handled and will bite and defecate if you pick them up.

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