Saturday, January 16, 2010

I Will Survive! I Will Survive! Come on, sing it with me! Did You Think I'd Crumble? Did You Think I'd Lay Down & Die? Oh No Not I, I Will Survive!

I must confess that lately, I've not been happy with my bad self! Since quitting smoking about a month ago, I also made the decision to get back into shape! You know the routine... exercise, eat right, stay positive, etc. etc. I started thinking about the last time I felt like I was in really great shape and sadly, I think it was after I had my first child. This was 1982 mind you. I would plug Jane Fonda videos into my television and try to orgasmically (is that a word?) breathe and donkey kick. You can now watch all these videos on Youtube. Here's an example for your viewing enjoyment. "This is a very isolated movement of the buttocks. Resist bringing those knees together, make it burn!" (some of us don't care to be reminded! Oh, Jane, what were you thinking? and what was I thinking?) My husband, at the time, loved these videos. After all, it was the first time you could legally watch scantily clad women on your television without it being call pornography.



Anyway, enough about Jane and back to me. I am beginning to believe there is a devil! I quit smoking, which is great! I grocery shopped and only bought healthy foods, which is great. I started exercising, which is great.. This lasted for less than a week and, then I get sick with the pseudo H1N1 flu thing from Hell. I continue eating healthy foods, but exercise went out the window. This week I felt sooooo much better. I walked the long walk into the bowels of my home, deep into my basement where I keep all the wondrous exercise equipment, sweaters hanging nicely from the stationary bicycle, treadmill, climbing machine and the ballet bar. I put in the Nia DVD. (if you haven't tried Nia, I highly recommend it!)




I walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes while watching the Nia DVD. Then I plug in "Body by Jake" for my free weight workout.



I do ALL the exercises and feel wonderful!! I record them all, just like Jake recommends. I did it!! I am so damn proud of myself! I am back in the groove! By Spring I will look amazing again! YEAH me!!! I am motivated! I am strong! I am woman!!
Well, friends, that was three days ago and I haven't exercised since. All that enthusiasm went out the window when I could not get my arse out of bed. Well, I take that back. I got my arse out of bed, but it promptly landed on my bedroom floor. My back was out!! My back is still out! But, I will not give up! Damn it! I will survive! (singing) I will survive! (Thank you, Gloria Gaynor!)



Leave me a message and tell me your exercise routine. Did you ever quit for years and start again? Are you starting again for the New Year? I know some of you are, because I've read your blogs!! What keeps you motivated?
✒ Middle Aged Woman Blogging at 9:12 AM

17 ♥ Leave Me A Love Note:

  1. I don't exercise, and I'm not motiviated! But back in the day when I was, I found that the only thing I would stick with was freelance dancing first thing in the morning, even if it was only for ten minutes while I was dressing and getting ready for the day, and maybe again later in the day...and walking. I have a bad back and terrible neck, so most exercise just will not keep me going for exactly the reason you found when you went to get out of bed! But were I once again be motivated to exercise, it would be freelance dancing and walking.

    Don't give up, though! Just slow it down! I think you most likely did too much too soon, instead of working up to it!
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  2. I guess I meant free-form dancing,huh?
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  3. I dance around in front of the mirror with my grandkids 4 days a week, and I do a little yoga and pilates. If I can get myself more motivated, it will be more yoga and pilates, because they help with flexibility, strength, and body awareness. And I can adapt around whatever part of my body isn't up to par at the time.
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  4. ..ooh, as long as you know how to love, I know you'll stay alive!!!... You've got all your life to live, you've got all your love to give..you'll survive... you'll get off your arse and STRIVE!.. Go on now GO....

    And yeah, I'm right there with you. *sigh*
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  5. If it's ever going to stick, it's gotta be FUN ! So sports--like tennis or volleyball, or try some flag football--or dancing...yeah, that's the ticket. If you can lose weight and enjoy it, that's a win win deal.
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  6. I walk. I walk and walk and walk. I listen to music. I sing out loud. I look the fool. I walk some more. Tomorrow I'm going to walk right outta town again. Do a six mile loop. Right now I'm eating a whole bowl of cinnamon hearts. Balance, right.

    Donkey kicks? HA!

    Hope you heal quickly.
    xo
    erin
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  7. OK, so I got a DVD called "Exercise for Beginners" and just about died doing the routines. I've decided I need one called "Exercise for the Comatose."
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  8. I was a soccer player for most of my youth and a distance runner in college, so there will always be a bit of a competitor in me. Every few years, something sparks me to start training again: my best friend, who was also a college teammate, qualified for the Olympics; I "friended" some old teammates on Facebook and found out some of them started running again; my best friend (she's a bad influence) said "hey, we're over 40 now and qualify for master's competition!" I'm usually good for a month, then I start speed workouts and realize that they hurt too much and it takes too long to recover from them now :)

    These days, my exercise routine is attaching a leash to the crazy akita/lab/border collie, and dashing out the door a mile or so to the dog park, where I throw a tennis ball for her with my left hand because my right shoulder dislocates (skiing accident) and then dragging back home, wishing she'd fit into my dinky convertible. I also hike and play basketball on occasion.

    How is the healthy eating coming along? I have swiss chard growing "wild" in my garden and found a great recipe for it with pepper flakes, ginger, and maple syrup. Fantastic if you like the spicy sweet combination!
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  9. Great comments! Yes, I often feel comatose too! And I do believe walking, and lots of it, is the way to go.

    I have to say that eating healthy is half the battle. I feel so much better not eating sweets and loads of carbs. I am definitely eating more fruit, veggies and protein.

    I'll keep you informed how this works out! Thanks for your kind support!
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  10. You need to locate Richard Simmons tape (VCR), something like "Sweating to the Oldies" - safe, funny & works.
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  11. I've quit and re-started so many times, it's painful to recall. But much as I don't like Jane, her first video (I worked out to her in college back in . . . well never mind -- it was decades ago) was effective. It is the only video I have that I can pick back up and resume without getting so sore that I can't move.

    Hang in there, Lois. Keep the faith. In my case, it would be "keep your double chins up."
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  12. I've had those moments. The feeling of "I WILL CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN!". It lasts about 3 days before I hurt myself, or get sick. I finally decided to work out with free weights. I noticed MUSCLES after a month!..... Then I noticed a breast lump that was NOT muscle.

    Basically, it was ALWAYS something bad from something good.

    I'm 60 now, and I've decided to do the one thing I never thought of before. Stop focusing on what is wrong with me and let it be, without going the other way and eating an entire gallon of ice cream.
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  13. I loved that old Jane Fonda video! lol
    I'm 65 and I go to the gym twice per week for the Silver Sneakers class, which is an exercise and strength-building class for seniors. That's the extent of my exercise right now.
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  14. You made me laugh out loud. Three days and can't get our arse out of bed. Ha!

    As a side note, I did the Jane Fonda routing to a record album. That's how old I am!

    Exercise and I have a love hate relationship. I never seem to get in on an even keel. Like this week, did Yoga on Monday night (kicked my butt), swam 26 laps on Tuesday. Today? I'm thinking wine and a burrito. Keep at it Middleaged woman. Whatever you do will help. Right?
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  15. At the moment am doing a boot camp once a week with a group of women... love it. So much fun and we giggle far too much but get fit anyway. Never have felt so fit in the middle of winter before! But just you wait... I am bound to quit cos I always do eventually. Hopeless. Fun post!
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  16. Oooh I start and I stop... start... stop... it is a vicious cycle! You inspire me to get back on the treadmill tomorrow and pull out the NEW dance dvds I recently purchased.
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  17. My motivations will not work for you. Good habits are just like bad habits. It takes time for them to become habits. To protect your back; strengthen your abdominals. Check out body building mags like Muscle & Fitness. Skip the trendy exercise stuff and see what the pros do. Don't worry about becoming a Hulkstress.
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