My new, I mean it, exercise program
I had run out of excuses in the end: it was too cold outside, I might get run over by a buggy, and the cow pasture had its own inherit hazards. That’s why I couldn’t exercise.
But I was good, maybe too good, even. With a few minor tweaks, I could adjust my excuses from the back hills of Kentucky to my current circumstances of glamorous (if you minus the part about a rat living in our house) Florida living.
Now living in a house with miles of the Atlantic in my backyard, I still managed good excuses: the kids need help with school, it’s high tide, the oil slick is out there, and besides, it’s been too cold, what with reverse global warming and everything.
Stepping on the scale this morning and realizing my salads aren’t working (must be the bacon, I’m supposing), I finally went for my first run on the beach. It’s a new day, body for life! I told the kids they couldn’t come with me since they can’t keep up, and they wanted to know if I was being serious.
Ah, the wind in my face and the salt in my hair. Just a red Baywatch life preserver to carry and about $5,000 of cosmetic help for my upstairs, and I’d be set.
I ignored the breathlessness (it was me, not the men watching us go by) and looked to my side. It was McGregor, running backwards, carrying the stroller behind him with a 31 pound toddler in the wet sand and wanting to know why we were quitting so early. The kid doesn’t know what’s good for him.
If life is a vapor, and it is, a few extra pounds on my hips isn’t the end of the world. I know this. And maybe I will think about that when tomorrow morning comes and the beach calls my name.
April 30th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
With time, women gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren’t heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, good g……r……ief…..look how smart I am!
April 30th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I’ve tried the “you can’t keep up with me” excuse with my kids too with equal results.
I totally love walking on the beach. Read walking-not running. I wish we were closer to the shore, but down here in the south it takes 30 minutes to drive 5 miles. And that’s not counting the amount of time is takes to load up the kids. Look at me! I’m so full of excuses!
But way to go! I’m glad you got started. You’re an inspiration.
April 30th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
What extra few pounds on your hips, Amy? I’m not joking! You are a tiny little thing, and that’s not just a short joke, lol!
I, on the other hand, need to break out my running shoes immediately!
April 30th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Aw Terry, I’m just going by the dumb body fat calculators online. So far, I’ve tried them all, and can’t get even one of them to say I’m not overweight! :) Just a few pounds, but still trying. When you met me last month, I had lost 10 pounds since we got here so I’m doing well.
Debbie, Marci… I know what you mean!
April 30th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
I thought breastfeeding was supposed to melt away the kilos… ain’t happening! Chubs is cute when it’s a baby belly, not so much after birth. I think I’m going to have to, you know, eat less and move more or something. I seriously think pregnancy and childbirth and sleep deprivation should come with the payoff of slim and gorgeous straight after. SO not fair!
ALl the best with your efforts, Amy!
May 1st, 2010 at 9:17 am
I have said it before and I say it again:
We want the Salsa Video!!! (My German blog of back then — I guess it is 1.5 or 2 years ago? — is no longer online… but *you know what I am talking about*…)
Good for you!
I started on Monday over on Facebook: My Get Your Body Back Facebook Diet…
(Just crack out your fitness videos and do the faith dances *praise*…)
May 1st, 2010 at 9:31 am
Yeah, if I had a beach in my backyard, then I guess I’d be motivated to get out there and walk, or run, or frolick and just move……but I live in central NC…..on a cul-de-sac, and I hate the eliptical in the basement….
when are you going back to KY?
May 1st, 2010 at 9:32 am
Thanks for the encouragement, all. Day two down. Stacey, we’re returning at the end of July.
May 1st, 2010 at 3:05 pm
but I live in central NC…..on a cul-de-sac- So do I but don’t have a basement.
I stopped running the day I got out of the Army on August 4,1980!
May 2nd, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Valerie, for me breastfeeding DID melt away the weight . . . for the first 2. This third one has left me with a few stubborn pounds. Now, I’m trying not to complain because it’s pretty close and it’s been just over a year so it’s just lack of discipline on my part, but as you say, it does feel like “so not fair”! Good luck with your running, Amy!
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:50 pm
I will no longer eat while reading your blog. When I laughed reading this post I inhaled a shrimp and coughed violently for a good five minutes. Now I’m wondering how I’m going to get said shrimp out of my nasal cavity. Any suggestions?
May 4th, 2010 at 9:35 am
I just read this the other day.. here goes
Just found out with time, women gain weight because we accumulate so much information & wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren’t heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated & happy. Beginning today, when I look at my body in the mirror I will think, Good Grief~look how smart I am~
May 4th, 2010 at 9:50 am
LOL!! How far did you get?
May 4th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Donna – that was very funny!!!
May 15th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
…i have realized that the good Lord gave us you becasue erma bombeck died…blessings
May 20th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
[...] (Amy had lasik surgery gone bad. That is a good excuse, don’t you think?) Read here and laugh. He must increase, but I must decrease. John [...]