I’ve been hoping to lose my last 10 pounds of pregnancy fat. Unfortunately, my uterus hasn’t grown anything useful since 1996, so I’m starting to wonder if, perhaps, the steps I’ve been taking to slim down aren’t particularly effective. Here’s what I’ve been doing:
1. Making no changes to my diet
2. Weighing myself and getting mad
3. Buying exercise equipment that I rarely use (and that I eventually donate to charity)
4. Making no changes to my diet…
For some reason, no matter how hard I try (and, as you can see, I’ve been trying really hard), those 10 pounds just won’t disappear.
But now I’ve been inspired—really inspired. I went to see a power lifting competition last week. Here’s a short—20 second—clip (the woman lifting 350 pounds, and winning her division, is my future daughter-in-law, Christina):
But back to my pregnancy fat…after watching all of the amazing, strong women at that competition (a few of whom were as old as me) I’ve completely changed my approach. I am no longer going to obsess about losing 10 pounds. Instead, I’m going to obsess about building muscle and becoming stronger. I’m going to the gym!
My oldest daughter, Leah—who believes someone should always be nearby to call 911 when I do stupid things—has offered to join me. We’ve gone to the gym twice, and I’m doing it all—bench presses, bicep curls, triceps extensions, leg presses, squats, hamstring curls…everything!
And how is it going, you ask? Well, I’ve found out that the human body has a lot of muscles—and when they’re all tight and sore at the same time, it can be difficult to do really challenging tasks, like pole vaulting or turning on taps.
The good news: Leah hasn’t had to call 911, yet. The bad news: My dishwasher is broken, so I need to turn on the kitchen tap. Tomorrow we’re going for workout #3. Time to recruit some kids to wash the dishes.
Oh I love this! I am glad to have had such an impact on you two! I hope Leah NEVER has to call 911! 🙂
I hope she doesn’t have to call them, either 🙂 You’ve had a HUGE impact. Soon, I’m hoping to be able to bench press more than just the bar!
You will get there! It takes time.
It’s weird that I only have patience in the gym. 😛
No 911, Brenda. You can do this! Danny and I are in the gym at least three times a week, and it really and truly helps us both to stay in shape. Now, I’m not doing the strenuous stunts you’re attempting, but keeping up body tone at 62 is enough for me.
Blessings, and hope to see you at my blog tomorrow. All about Danny’s activities since retiring in August. Woo-hoo!
At least three times every week – you’re amazing, Martha!
You can do it! And, all humor aside, focusing on gaining strength rather than losing weight is 100% correct.
You go!
P.S. You won’t believe it now, but when you have worked out at something for long enough, it starts to feel really good to do it. For me it’s biking and swimming, but it can be anything.
I might as well focus on strength, Rebecca – doesn’t seem to matter WHAT I do, my weight doesn’t change, LOL! I’m starting to think that perhaps I bought a “trick scale” (like a “trick candle,” except more frustrating 🙂
Very funny, Brenda! I would have suggested these alternate titles, though:
– Just Between Uterus
– Weight For It
– Working For Scale
– Love Lift Us Up To 350 Pounds
– Kosher Hamstrings
– One Exercise Fits All
– Live And Let Diet
See – I lost 10 pounds just through the effort I made with all that keyboarding.
My favorite is “Love Lift Us Up To 350 Pounds” – good one, John 🙂