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?