Ply-o-what?

So here I am, doing lunges and squats down the streets of my lovely tree lined neighborhood, trying not to look ridiculous. Why am I doing lunges and squats while out for a nice walk? In a word, plyometrics. Six months ago I hadn't really ever heard the word. But then my favorite skater/personal trainer/salon owner, Pominatrix explained that plyometrics is strength building that gives you the extra burst of speed or energy when skating. Sounds good, ok, I'm willing to do lunges for speed. But while I'm out for a walk? I was reading Health magazine and the headline "lose more weight while walking" caught my attention. And one of the ways to get more out of walking is to do.....you guessed it... plyometrics (the other options were hills - uh this is Chicago, there are no hills, and intervals, which I do on the treadmill). They had a little routine for incorporating plyometrics into walks. I promptly ignored the routine and just worked in about 40 lunges and 40 squats and half a block of high steps into my 3 mile walk.

Now the funny part is I kept looking for places where I could be fairly inconspicuous. Well that didn't work. First I fell, then someone came walking out while I was doing squats in front of her house, then there were all of the cars. I decided, oh well.....at least someday I'll be able to use my burst of speed to get away fast.

I will say that I am sore today. What other potentially embarrassing and ridiculous activities can I partake in the name of fitness? Skipping? Running backwards? Roller skating?