As if we didn’t have enough to worry about these days, what with everything going on in the world and how busy we are all the time and all of the convenience foods that we devour because we don’t have time to cook healthy meals regularly, now we also have to worry about how technology is making it harder for us to fit into our clothing. It seems like a no-brainer, you know? Just as the best way to lose weight is to get moving, the best way to gain weight is to…stop moving. And that’s what so many of us have done: we’ve just stopped moving. Because of Twitter,…
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No Surprise; It’s Been Closing For Years Now
Until yesterday, I worked at two health clubs. One of them is a large club, with thousands of members. One of them is a small club, with–nowadays–only a couple hundred members. I wrote a little bit about the differences a while back. I put in nearly fourteen (!!!) years at the small club. I worked in several different departments there. The club has had a colorful history, and I’ve always said that if I were the type of writer who wanted to write a great work of fiction, (I’m not) I would use some of the many stories from this club as a springboard. Believe me, they’re there. I’ve seen…
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And On the 31st Day, She Rested.*
Halleluyah. I finished the 30 Day Shred yesterday. Good thing, too, because my body is, as Jillian would say, “Scuh-REEMING” for a break. The month actually flew by for me, because I was busy in general. It seems like I started only a couple of days ago. How’d I do? Well, I did as well as I expected to. Adding this workout every. single. day. was difficult mentally sometimes, but because I am sort of obsessive once I make a goal, I did it. I can’t review this DVD and how would work for just anybody who might want to try it, because people start off at all different levels…
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Still Shredding…
I wanted to give a Shredhead update, since I’m more than halfway through the 30 days. I have lost around 4 (ish) pounds, but visually I think the changes are more prominent. I did Level 1 for about six days. I have read that most people do each of the three levels for ten days, but I felt ready to move on. I first saw a change in my body at about Day 5. Just a little change, but a change nonetheless! Today will be Day 17 of the 30 Day Shred, which means it’ll be the 11th time I’ve done Level 2. Level 2 is full of stuff that’s…
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On Becoming A Shredhead
Last Wednesday, I was on the treadmill at the smaller of the two health clubs where I’m an instructor, the one where I’ve worked for almost 14 years in many different capacities. The group fitness director (who is really just a personal trainer with the title) came up to me–during my own private workout time–and bluntly said, “We’re cutting your Saturday spin class.” What? First of all, could you wait until I’m off the treadmill? Second, how about a little intro sentence, like “Hey Melisa!” or “How’s it going? I have something to tell you.” I have taught this class for six years, and before I taught it, I was…
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A Comeback After Only Two Months? Shirley, You Must Be Kidding!
Something amazing happened yesterday. Have you ever met a survivor? I mean, a *real* one. I know somebody who is incredible. Shirley, one of the founding four in my Wednesday spin class, made a big comeback last night. How big? Huge. Two months ago, Shirley suffered a stroke. At the health club. Our Wednesday class was heartbroken and worried. Phone calls and e-mails were flying, everyone trying to get the scoop on her condition. Although I had reservations about it at first, we had a festive class for my 40th birthday that week (because Shirley would have been really ticked off if we didn’t celebrate*) and set up a bike…
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In This Case, I’m The One Wearing the Snowshoes.
Everytime I mention that I’m taking the dog snowshoeing, people are fascinated by the idea of a beagle wearing snowshoes. Seriously people, I’m the one wearing the snowshoes. To my knowledge, snowshoes for dogs don’t exist*. Anyway, I wanted to get a workout in today, so I got her ready and we headed out. I decided to document it for posterity (and by “posterity”, I mean “my blog”). Before I show you the first video segment, I need to get a “Holla!” and maybe a “Woot!” or two: between hanging onto the dog who was trying to jerk me in every direction, my snowshoes (before I put them on), my…
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Are You a Goal Getter?
What with all the talk about New Year’s Resolutions and all (I don’t really make them; they’re too easy to break!), I have indeed *refocused* myself for this upcoming year of working out and attempting to eat a little better. On the way home from my first workout of 2009 this morning, I thought to myself, “I wonder if there’s anyone out there in my little bloggie community who might want to come together and support each other’s healthy goals for the upcoming year?” To that end (now *that* sounds official, doesn’t it?), I have opened up the door on another blogsite. This one won’t be for anyone’s eyes except…
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Nothing Personal, Smokers!
The other day, the thirteen-year-old made an observation that I was totally cracking up about, but for reasons other than what he thought. It was nice to show him that sometimes things aren’t what they seem. The tv was on (of course) and the Denise Austin Idaho Potato commercial came on for the five-millionth time. He was just passing through the family room but stopped to watch the ad for a moment, and after listening to her talk he scoffed, “Smoker!” Although Jim and I have called our fair share of “Smoker*!” (like, say, George Burns, Phyllis Diller, Lindsay Lohan…) I had to laugh—and then cry a bit inside—when I…
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Alright, Alright…Birthdays Aren’t THAT Bad, Especially When They Last A Week.
I have done a lot of bellyaching over the past couple of months about turning F…F…Fo…Forty, and although I am still not thrilled, my chosen new attitude is helping me to settle in, along with the wonderful birthday WEEK I just experienced. My friends and family tossed so much love at me, how could I be anything but warm and fuzzy? Last Sunday evening, Jim surprised me by taking the entire Fab Five (if you’re a newbie here at the Scrawl, the Fab Five is me, Jim, the boys, and my sister Julesie) out to dinner. Everyone knew where we were going except for me, the birthday girl. I was…