I'm seriously out of shape.
The last time I tried to do a Jillian Michaels workout video, I almost passed out 10 minutes in. It's sad. In grad school, I worked downtown and had a membership to the YMCA; I'd walk over and workout almost every day on lunch or after work. Then I moved back to my hometown. I was working full-time, trying to write my thesis, and care for my grandparents...and the first thing to go was exercise. I know, I know, you have to make time and blah blah blah. But I didn't.
I don't have any weight or self-image issues; I think I've gained a whopping 5 pounds since my senior year of high school. Sure, I have some things I'd like to work on & change, but I'm generally pretty happy with how I look. The thing is, though, I was a competitive gymnast for years--we had 3 hour practices several times a week and really intense conditioning. You could count my abs. I'm serious. I wish I had pictures. Now, well... I did about 20 knee-hugs yesterday, and today it hurts to laugh. I hurt everywhere.
I'm starting small, but I'm starting! I don't expect to have my gymnast bod back anytime soon (or, you know, ever, really) but I would like to make it through a full Jillian Michaels DVD without collapsing--even if I am muttering under my breath that she's a total b-word for torturing me.
My cardio partner right now is Richard Simmons. No, I'm not joking. I used to do his "Sweatin' to the Oldies" tape (yes, tape) with my mom when I was a kid and I recently bought the 20th anniversary edition on DVD. It's the most ridiculous thing--there/s a woman exercising in denim overalls-- and so embarrassing, but in all honesty, it's the most fun cardio workout ever. Jillian sends me into a murderous rage, and Richard Simmons just makes me laugh. A lot.
But no, you can't come join me, because I know I look like a complete idiot. I actually only do this when my husband is at work.
I tack on some strength conditioning at the end, too, which I'll increase in small increments. I took my "before" picture, and hopefully in a few months, I'll be able to look back at it and see some improvement. Wish me luck!
Do you have an exercise regimen? What are some of your favorite elements?
Back in my "radio days," I was part of a Morning Show on a Soft Rock station. One of our most memorable (& exhausting) guests was Richard Simmons! He visited us in the dead of winter on a frigidly cold November morn and was dressed just as you have pictured here!
ReplyDeleteI am SO jealous! I love Richard Simmons! Even my husband likes him; he watched a documentary about his life, and how he was bullied for being overweight as a kid. As Tyler said, "It's impossible to know anything about that guy's life and NOT like him." :) I can definitely see him being exhausting, though. Haha. I can't believe you got to meet him. I bet you have a ton of great stories from your "radio days!"
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