Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Snap, Crackle, Pop!

My new workout video!


I recently bought a new exercise video online, Denise Austin's "Burn Fat Fast Cardio Blast," which consists of 4, 10 minute cardio workouts, a warm up and a cool down. I bought this video because I loved that it included a "Retro Aerobic" routine with classic moves like grapevines, ponies and heel jacks. I know, because I used to do these exact same moves with Denise back in the day when she had a daily workout show on ESPN. I've always loved the way Denise eases you into her workouts with encouragement and reassurance. I hate those trainers that try to kick your butt right out of the gate!
Anyway, I watched the first couple of workouts (while I was sitting in the floor folding clothes) that included kick boxing and athletic interval training. Those looked a little difficult. Then I watched the retro aerobics which looked like so much fun! Just what I remembered. And then I decided to put away the clothes and jump in and do the last workout which was cardio dance moves. There were a lot of Latin salsa and mambo moves and hip shaking. It was fun! But I couldn't believe that I was sweating so much after only 10 minutes!

I continued with the cool down (which I always look forward to) and then it happened. The snaps, the crackles, and the pops! When I twisted to stretch, my back and hips POPPED. When I went to stretch my leg muscles in a lunge, my knees CRACKLED. And when I went to stretch my neck and back, it they felt like they would SNAP they were so tight! Boy am I out of shape! How do I know? My body told me so! : )

But you know what? It feels soooo good to move my body. To experience a greater range of motion than just what it takes to accomplish my daily activites. To stretch and bend and dance...it feels great! Now, do I like sweating? NO! Do I like getting out of breath? NO! Do I like having my face turn as red as a beet? NO! Do I enjoy being sore the next day? NO WAY! But, do I like being able to walk up a set of steps in public without one or all of the former occuring? YES!!!!
See, that's my point. When you're seriously overweight, even taking a flight of stairs feels like a 30 minute aerobic workout! That's why this weight has to come off. I can't imagine being 35, 40, 50, (and if I make it) even 60, still struggling with this. What kind of life is that? One of regret, full of woulda, shoulda, couldas? Nothing seems worse to me than a life lived with regret. Is it really a life LIVED?

3 comments:

Darcie said...

Smiling...because you sound like a cereal my dear. A bowl of Rice Crispy. I think part of it is just getting older too...we just start making more noise. You should here my knees when I go up the stairs...ugh.

Keep it up!!!

Patricia said...

hey... you know what?
you are so right!
shoulda woulda coulda never were friends of mine!

you are doing great angie... look at how far you have come already!

still so proud of you!
patricia

Christina said...

I am so proud of you! I know how hard it is to take the first steps, but it's so worth it. And you did it! And you're totally right. Lord willing, we have many years here left on this earth, and I definitely do not want to regret not choosing to help my body. I just hit 35 in the face at the end of January, and it scared me for a second, but not as much as it would have had I not already started to do better for myself. We can totally do this! Getting started is the hardest part. Way to go! HUGS!!! :0)