The Two or Three Kid Workout

During the last few days, I've revived the two or three kid workout for my exercise routine. Let me explain . . .

The three grandchildren who live with us, ages 2, 4 and 6, are rather lively and full of energy as children of those ages are and should be. We were recently on a trip and as we waited for Mom to get her shower (etc.) readying for our departure, the youngest required some "entertainment" to keep him from terrorizing the cousin's apartment we were staying in--after she'd already departed for work. This youngest young'n loves to be chased, which I indulge him in knowing I have need of physical aerobic exercise myself. The beauty of the dynamic here is that his legs are considerably faster than my own but much shorter, so for every several steps he takes at a good rate only requires a corresponding step or two from me. (Yay!)

Since the aforementioned apartment was facilitated with a "round" traffic pattern through the living quarters and kitchen area, it was perfect for the chase which changed direction multiple times as Grandma matched wits with him and his siblings as they each joined the game er...exercise. There were great and abundant amounts of joyful squealing and giggles throughout the process as Grandma would post herself in a spot at one corner or another trying to surprise them as they came around to discover them forcing a run in the opposite direction.

When I realized a mirror hung advantageously on the foyer wall allowing me to see into the kitchen where they would lurk in anticipation of my catching them, I used that advantage quite well . . . until . . . middle child discovered it worked to his advantage also. Since this exercise program took place around 7:30-8:30 am, I wonder if any of the neighbors reported us to the authorities? As we escaped the scene soon after, I may never know. I convinced myself that most of the tenants were probably away at work or school as was our wonderful and gracious hostess.

Well, the opportunity for the chase, the exercise and the peals of giggles and laughter have continued since arriving at home. The back yard has again proved to be a larger playing field. I do not know how long we all participated this morning, but Grandma has become exhausted and a little while after our fun enterprise, Grandma was discovered napping on the couch in the living room--next to her still awake compatriots.

Ah! The joy of living! Oh, yes and the attendant benefits of losing a size or two in the clothing department. Score!

I'm Thinking of Deleting

Okay. I'm very self-conscious at the moment. I looked more closely at the picture of the grandparents and grandchildren in the previous post and nearly gagged! I look like I weigh about 300 pounds! How did my daughter's camera do that to me! I'm aghast with fear and trembling. And what makes it worse . . . When I mentioned my horror at the way I look in this picture to my dear husband, he was rather non-plussed, non-committal. He gave me no comfort!!! Yeah, yeah, yeah. He couldn't have answered correctly whatever he said. I hear you out there! You know you said/thought it! The best answer is a consoling answer. There are several that come to mind.

There is a slight amount of solace however in my stockpile. (I tell myself.) Photos always make you look larger than life! That's why they want models that are six feet tall and weight 98 pounds. Poor souls. I could share the wealth. I'd be willing.

Now lets see: Hmmmm. How many trips up and down the stairs do I need to make in 30 minutes (and for how many days?) to lose 10 pounds? Oh, yeah. How many trips up and down the stairs can I make in ten minutes without getting winded? Hey! I can do that! I have done that. A week ago. Or was that week before last? Three weeks . . .

And the Pioneer Woman has a stair machine! I should ask her why she doesn't just install stairs in the Lodge remodel. If she had to go up and down stairs all day taking care of her 7.5 tons of laundry, she'd stay as slim and trim as her ballerina self is already anyway. And she's young enough to be my daughter and all that.

Sigh. No, I don't especially feel any better, but thanks for asking. Sniff. Since I was always underweight growing up and weighed only 130 just a few summers ago, (make that three) I just figured I'd always be okay. What ever happened?!!! I protest. I deny. I . . . I . . . I gotta get up and trek up and down those stairs. (Insert long pause.) Sooner or later . . .

Actually I have to go prepare myself for torture of another kind. Mammogram. Oh the sheer pain. Fibrocystic mess (masses?) complicates and increases the pain of an otherwise already painful exercise. Thinking of you, Debby. This pain is far more temporary than what you're dealing with. Prayers ascend for you today, etc.