Monday, August 17, 2009

A Workout without A Workout?

For at least the last year and a half I have been saying that I was going to do more to get in shape. I tried belly dance class (which I loved) for 6 months, but had to quit when football season rolled around I had to take my son to practice/games 4 times out of the week. As much as I loved belly dance, it didn’t work on my most troublesome spot, my stomach. (I know, it was a shock to me too, but really belly dance movements work out your thighs and arms more than anything else.) So I said I would do the core exercises I knew at home and throw some other routines in there to round it out and hopefully plump up my derrière. That lasted all of a week or two. Then I said I would walk around the park while at football practice, but most times I end up working on homework with my other children or sitting down reading a book or talking to the other parents.

Now, I see that Sketchers has these “Shape Ups” shoes that are suppose to do all of the things I want- work on the core muscles, burn calories, shape up the legs/buttocks- just by wearing them. I have been reading the different customer reviews on them and it sounds like people are really happy with them. I’m pretty tight with my money so I’m going to have to get over the price tag ($110-$120) and get me a pair. I walk at work (from the shuttle stop to my office and back, 10 minutes each way) and, who knows this may be the encouragement that I need to walk during football practice.

I know, I know, some of my friends have made comments about my weight/small frame and can’t understand my angst. But here’s the deal, 1) I come from a family racked with medical issues, both of my parents died at the age of 53, my mother from heart disease, my father from kidney disease; I know I have to do better so that I can live longer. 2) I see my stomach every day and know that it is not bikini material and I would like to be able to wear one, comfortably, next summer. 3) Last, but not least, I want a firmer behind that stands up and can be noticed like Serena Williams’. Now, I know it will never be quite that perfect, but if I can get somewhere in line with hers I will be happy.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress.