Like all mothers, I dreamed of being brave, selfless, loving, and hot. Yes, you heard me. Hot. What?! I’m just being honest. Of course, hot wasn’t the first thing on my list, but it was definitely on the short list.
Pinterest was super helpful for me in the beginning with its suggestions of cute outfits, life hacks, and exercise ideas, but unfortunately, Pinterest won’t actually deliver any of these things to my life or closet. It’ll recommend some interesting workouts or belly busting moves but won’t actually do the working out for me so… damn it.
I’ve never found the pleasure in working out that others have. I don’t want to do sit ups. I don’t want to sweat. Actually, I hate sweating which is really a problem when exercising in island weather. And I really hate running. I don’t even pretend to understand running. Why would you run, non-stop without a reason… like a bear chasing you? Running is terrible. I know it isn’t terrible in that good-for-your-health way but it actually makes me physically angry. In fact, running to me is as enjoyable as being wedged in the back seat between two car seats of kids “doing my hair” (aka pulling). And I’d choose the wedgie every time.
See, if you haven’t caught on, I don’t actually want to exercise to be a hot mom, I just want to be a hot mom.
Luckily, the nature of two young kids (aka the bandits that turned my body into the rollier version of what it used to be) is that they are decently helpful in keeping parts of it less rolly. Since they still need want to be carried, my arms don’t need much other heavy lifting. Whew… dodged that flabby arm bullet. And with a 3rd floor walk up (no choice – there is no elevator) my legs and gluteus area are also fine. But regrettably, my major problem zone has never been my arms or my legs. The problem zone is my belly; the place I store my wine and waffles, the belly that, after having two bandits, stretched like green slime on a hot day never to return to its original form. For that belly, there is no easy remedy.
I refuse to become someone who denies herself what she wants to eat. I will never be a girl who orders salad when what I really want is a burger. Wine will never be off the table for me. In fact, it will always be on the table, uncorked. So since I don’t plan on curbing my food or booze intake, I fear that as much as I have tried to tone up my mid-area with hopeful wishes and encouraging glasses of Merlot, I might have to actually do some work.
I start Pilates today. God help me. God help us all.
Jennifer Legra
Good luck! I saw your squat and ab challenge and it looks good. I might try it myself. Just not on pilates day.
Jennifer Legra
hahaha. THat is definitely the truth. There is a window of time and if that window closes, I sit down and open a bottle of wine.
Jennifer Legra
I believe my exact words to Sara after that class were, “I can't believe I paid someone to do that to me.” haha. But I see what you mean about Superwoman strong.
Jennifer Legra
Thanks for the well wishes with pilates. It wasn't too bad although I wanted to die a few times. But I should add that I don't think salad skipping = essential working out.
Lauren
I am totally there with you! I hate running & no one wants to be subjected to my Phoebe-like running anyway. Same goes for classes – coordination is not my strong suit! My new phone has S Health built in & tracks my daily steps – so I get a daily reminder that I haven't reached the optimal goal of 10k steps per day, ugh. If I had unlimited access to a lap pool & the time to swim, I'd be golden, but since I don't, something has got to give. I'm unofficially kicking off the “Year of Me” tomorrow (was going to launch on my Bday, but I procrastinated). It'll be a year of betterment broken into monthly challenges & goals. Some months will be focused on physical improvement, some mental (like 30 days of gratitude, book-reading, volunteering/giving back, improving communication, etc…). October is a physical challenge – I'm challenging myself to do the 30 day Squat & Ab challenges. Wish me luck! I wish you lots of success with Pilates!
Lori
Girlfriend, you're singing my song! I have to FORCE myself to exercise when I get home from work. And if I don't do it the second I get home…I talk myself right out of it. I do like hiking though, so that helps. But the belly…the damn belly. That's another story.
Amanda Anderson
You will love pilates! Well, maybe not the first day afterwards and definitely not the second day, but soon your wine and waffle belly will see its end of days! And the best part is that you start to feel strong….really strong….like superwoman strong! Good luck chica!
John Greene
When you pass on the salads, I've learned it is essential to workout every day to slim down. Good luck at Pilates.