Wednesday, March 12, 2008

abs of...cheese?

My neck hurts.

When I saw the trainer lean back on that big exercise ball and start doing crunches, I knew I was in trouble.

“I don’t think I can do that,” I said.

“Well, just give it a try. We can modify it later if we need to.”

Right.

When I signed up for the 12-week fitness challenge at my gym, I thought it would help me bring my three-times-per-week workouts to a new level. But after my hour-long meeting with the trainer yesterday, I’m starting to wonder if it’s for me.

I have no desire to spend eight hours a week at the gym. I’m not looking for washboard abs or buns of steel. Seriously. I’m 35. Pretty much, I just don’t want to have a heart attack anytime soon, which given my families history, will be an accomplishment in itself.

I get tired of hearing the rhetoric of “But you deserve this! You deserve to look and feel great!”

Well, yes and no.

Do I need to take care of myself? Absolutely.

But what is my motivation? Good health? A svelte figure? Pure selfishness? At this stage in my life and in the lives of my children, where is the balance when it comes to taking care of my body?

On the couch pounding down potato chips? At the gym for hours every day? I’m thinking somewhere in the middle of these two extremes is good. I don’t need abs of steel, but flabby abs of apple juice aren’t good either.

I’m thinking abs of cheese might be just right.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

you can never go wrong with cheese in my book!

(:-)

Llama Momma said...

Amen, sister. Amen. (:-)

chrissy said...

I know what your saying, we excercise to feel better and have better health. Not to be a super model or a body builder!! You can do this, even balance, going through with this challenge won't be bad as long as you keep your good balance!

MamaToo said...

hmmm... I like this idea. Firm cheese, or brie? Depends on the day & size of that workout ball, I suppose. :)
I think of you often when I'm at the gym... wishing we could meet for smoothies while the kids have just a few more minutes in the play room.

mommanator said...

at my age chasing a toddler is enough exercise- I'm 60!

mommanator said...

hey momma- i just read somewhere you r in Waterford Works! I live in Rosedale/Elm- we are practically neighbors! who knew!

Craver Vii said...

Yeah, I'm in shape...

Round is a shape!

Llama Momma said...

chrissy -- Exactly. I'm just wondering what the balance is here...

mamatoo -- I'm definitely thinking firm cheese. :-)

mommanator -- Waterford Works? I'm confused. Send me an email and we'll chat...

Craver -- Yeah, round IS a shape. And my brother had his first heart attack at 30, so that's not quite the shape I'm looking for...

Christine @ Serenity How? said...

You're too cute! Mine are more like abs BY cheese. LOL! :-)

Anonymous said...

LM -- I always find your perspective so refreshing. Isn't it amazing how we can take something like exercise and find so many mixed motives? I always say that I eat well and exercise to feel good, but it does kind of annoy me that I don't look better too! Abs of cheese sound about right.