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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Until recently.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

(Okay, so here’s where the story gets a little bit embarrassing.)<\/p>\n

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…<\/p>\n

“Whatcha doing?”<\/p>\n

My head whipped around to find Avery standing behind me. Looking mightily confused.<\/p>\n

‘Oh, hey, Avery. I”m just…um…working out.” God.<\/p>\n

“That didn’t look like working out, mom. Were you trying to be a cheerleader?”<\/p>\n

“Um, no. No. I was dancing. Dancing is a great workout, Avery. Seriously. It’s good for you. And your hips. And stuff.”<\/p>\n

“But you weren’t dancing. You were doing cheerleader stuff. I know ’cause I’ve seen these cheerleaders on TV.”<\/p>\n

Damn television.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

And then Avery reminded me why she is such a cool chick. “I think you’d be a great cheerleader, mom. Really.”<\/p>\n

“Thanks, Avery.” What a sweetheart. I really don’t deserve such great kids.<\/p>\n

“But you’re too old.”<\/p>\n

Selfish brat.<\/p>\n

So, from now on I am sticking with my normal workout DVD’s unless I am positively<\/em> sure that no one is going to walk in and see me get my groove on.<\/p>\n

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.)<\/p>\n

In fitness and in health, Mindy<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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