Well, it’s January, the time of year when most Americans renew their pledge to get fit and strong, and I’m no exception. Okay, if not fit and strong, then slightly in shapeand at leaststronger than my kids. And, since they’re only 6 and 3 I’m thinkingI’ve got about 6 years to beef up a little.
I’ve always been a fan of exercise. Most days of the week I get, at the minimum, 45 minutes of moderate to intense activity. Until recently, when my treadmill decided it was angry for being vanquished to my garage and attempted to burn it down, I was a treadmill junkie. We set up a television and DVD player right in front of the machine and I could work out forever watching Bridget Jones’ Diary or, yes, Days of our Lives. There’s something about Bridget’s obsession with her own weight, and the rock-hard abs onDOOL’s Rafe that keeps my mind occupied. Sometimes a little too occupied, and if I’m being honest here, a tad obsessed. With Rafe’s abs that is. Hmm.
Anyway, as I said, my treadmill burned up and I’ve been forced to pull out some workout DVD’s and humiliate myself in front of my family. You already know about Jack’s fascination with my exercise pants but Avery and Jer are not much help either. As I’m stomping away in the living room, sweat dripping off my forehead, they pass by and sometimes stop to watch a little. Now, with Jer, I can pretty much say, “Get lost,” and he will. But, Avery? I’m trying to put a very positive spin on physical activity, you know, a teaching moment? So I will let her watch and encourage her to join in.
Until recently.
I was all dressed up and ready to exercise. Not wanting to do a DVD I decided to check out Exercise TV On Demand. I noticed a fairly new category named, “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.” Interesting. I read the introduction to theworkout and was immediately intrigued. Are they telling me that I can do their series of workouts and in no time at all have a DCC body? Yes, please. Sign me up. I looked around to make sure no one was watching and clicked play on the “Boot Camp” workout.
In all actuality, it’s a fairly easy workout. There isn’t a lot of high impact exercise, but the trainer emphasizes a ton of strength training in cadence (one-two-three-ONE, one-two-three-TWO.) So you’re actually doing 3 times the standardnumber of repetitions. Tiring, but simple. The ease of the movements along with the melodic counting in cadencestarted to take its toll as my mind began to wander.
(Okay, so here’s where the story gets a little bit embarrassing.)
As I said, I was really digging this workout and started daydreaming a little bit. Having watched enough “Making the Team” on CMT to be familiar I started imagining myself trying out for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad. Next thing I knew I was shaking my be-dunka-dunk (that’sa more fly way of saying “but”t and certainly more appropriate for the kind of dancing I was doing) and busting out some old cheerleader moves from the Great High School SquadTryout of 1990 (FYI – I didn’t make it.) I was just getting into the rousing second act of my number when…
“Whatcha doing?”
My head whipped around to find Avery standing behind me. Looking mightily confused.
‘Oh, hey, Avery. I”m just…um…working out.” God.
“That didn’t look like working out, mom. Were you trying to be a cheerleader?”
“Um, no. No. I was dancing. Dancing is a great workout, Avery. Seriously. It’s good for you. And your hips. And stuff.”
“But you weren’t dancing. You were doing cheerleader stuff. I know ’cause I’ve seen these cheerleaders on TV.”
Damn television.
“Okay, Avery. Yes. I was trying to do cheerleading moves. But, it’s still good exercise. And, no. I’m not a cheerleader but it’s fun to pretend sometimes.”
And then Avery reminded me why she is such a cool chick. “I think you’d be a great cheerleader, mom. Really.”
“Thanks, Avery.” What a sweetheart. I really don’t deserve such great kids.
“But you’re too old.”
Selfish brat.
So, from now on I am sticking with my normal workout DVD’s unless I am positively sure that no one is going to walk in and see me get my groove on.
This newyear, 2010, will be a positive and healthy one for this suburban housewife. I may not achieve the highly coveted Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders body but will work harder at being the best that I can be (which would be more along the lines of the cheerleaders slightly plumper yet beautiful older cousin.)
In fitness and in health, Mindy
I’m totally with on this one Min. Jody loooves to come in “watch” Yuk!!! Of course my fit as a fiddle 13yr old laughs! yes she actually laughed at me. From now on I only workout when no one is home or all asleep. I am really proud of you! Keep up the good work. ~Val
Thanks, Val. I knew you, of all people, would understand. I’ve caught Jer standing behind me mimicking my moves. One back kick to the groin solved that one. =)
Mindy
You have to get Yoga Booty Ballet (snicker). No one will watch – promise. 🙂
Oh my God. I’m pretty sure that one would be the be-all and the end-all. My kids and hubby would have a hayday with that one. =)
Mindy
We used to love watching mom use the belly shaker (probably not it’s real name), the thing where you put a belt around your belly and turn it on and shake away fat. LOL! We would laugh our fool heads off at her! I say fool cause boy did we get it after she was done!
Oh, man. I can just imagine. That belly shaker/belt of death would have been hilarious to view in person. And there is nothing more ferocious than a middle-aged woman trying to lose weight. =)
Mindy
so proud of you Mindy for sticking to it!! even if you do have an audience of 1. 🙂
I LOVE LOVE LOVE exercise TV but will only do it when I’m alone so as not to have any witnesses to my foolishness…..
p.s. I’m still giggling @ avery askin “whatcha doin?”
Sweet Pea asks that whenever I’m doing I should only be doing in my room. terrible.
Thanks Amber! I’m really trying to stay committed but giggling children make it a little difficult. Oh, and “judgy” husbands. =)
Mindy
I HATE HATE HATE exercise. It is something the Devil invented, I am sure of it. It interferes with my ability to nap. I admire you though and I think the groiin kick is considered a move.
Oh, trust…I get both my exercise and nap in. I have to agree, though. There’s something very eeeevil about exercise. I always wear a cross. =)
Mindy
I actually pull down ALL of the shades AND make sure no one will be home before I’ll even consider a workout DVD…shameful, I know.
Nope…I’m now a believer. I will not be giving my family fuel for their fire any longer! I’m thinking I’ll have to move my exercise studio into my bedroom. =)
Mindy
I wish I liked exercise. My life would be so much better. Good for you. Shake it! 😉
And, I wish I liked healthy food. A bangin’ workout followed by a nosh-fest of Cheez-its and Hershey’s Kiss’ does not for a hot body make. =)
Mindy
As you know, I’m destroying my self esteem via the wii fit. And yes, Sean did come in and watch me the very first day. As he ate chips and salsa, which seemed cruel. He laughed some, he told me I was doing it wrong, and preceded to show me how to do it. Stupid 16 year old boy with the perfect BMI and great metablolism. Oh well, I laugh at me too. =]
♥Spot
You know, I’m seeing good things for you and your WiiFit. I think you’re going to kick it’s butt. And as for Sean, I’m pretty sure I’d have taken a break from the exercise, went over to him on the couch, grabbed his chips and salsa and threw them in the garbage. (In all actuality, I probably would have sat down and started eating with him.) =)
Mindy
Don’t forget, you made it further onto the team than me because I decided to go shopping instead on the day of tryouts. “Oh Mindy you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind, hey Mindy” I can see your routine now.
Hey, we should totally bust out our routine at Sunday dinner one of these weeks. I think I remember most of it. I’ll have to put a lot more hairspray in that day, though. Just to get into character. =)
Mindy
Ugh. Exercise. And while I type that, Jillian Michaels is staring at me from an ad on your page … taunting me, driving me insane … um, where was I? Oh yeah, exercise. Something I’m not even sure I know how to do. But once we have enough money, I plan to buy the Wii fit, or maybe the new one with Jillian and Bob … although, I’m not sure how much I’ll get done, with all the drooling and fantasizing going on. 😉
Hehehe…you’re too funny. Jillian intimidates the hell out of me…even from TV. I’ve done one of her workouts before and was on the verge of tears the entire time. Maybe I’ll try to lose a little weight and take her on again. =)
Mindy
I have a Wii Fit that I rarely use. I don’t like its tone. (towards me that is) I do have one of those stripper workout DVDs, but I refuse to even bring it out of hiding if anyone else is in the house. God forbid I try to do something like that in front of anyone else!
I’ve attempted to do Carmen Electra’s stripper workout (when I was ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN no one was going to be home) and was embarassed that even I was home watching myself. Never again. Unless I get pretty desperate and need to make a little extra $. =)
Mindy
If it gives you any comfort at all, we watched a show last night where they studied the world’s oldest citizens. They noted that none of them exercised. They had lives that required them to walk or move around, but they didn’t go to the gym. I don’t know, maybe it’s just an example of how we all need to find what works for us as individuals. I hope you find what works best for you in 2010!
Thanks, Marly. And I think that’s totally the key. Living a life of movement. Sedentary lifestyles are harmful. And so are cheez-its. =)
Mindy