Once upon a time, I wrote:
“Today, I renew my dedication to exercise and self-care. Three months from now I will be fitter, firmer, and able to do more than 2.5 push-ups. Hell, I may even earn killer cheekbones!”
Why do I make such rash declarations? Will I never learn?
I spent my last semester student teaching 40 hours per week, working nights and weekends in a computer lab. It was depressing, and my eating habits became destructive; between the sugary garbage served at school and the sugary garbage in the vending machines at work, I didn’t stand a chance at becoming fitter or firmer. Sadder and wiser, more like.
THEN I fell upon hard times and was unable to find a summer job. The stress created some minor but upsetting physical problems, and I spent much of the summer attempting to sleep through reality. Much Mexican food was consumed.
All that real life can get a girl down.
So a full nine months after I supposedly “renew[ed] my dedication to exercise and self-care” (it’s okay to roll your eyes, I am), I still can’t do “real” push-ups, and my record for “girl” push-ups is a mere 14. My cheekbones are functional, but hardly “killer”— though that was always a long shot.
Time to get back in the saddle.
Mr. Jaunty, his father, and I have been visiting our apartment complex’s tiny gym every morning. It has two treadmills, two exercise bikes, and an all-in-one home gym thingamajig. We stretch, sweat, and come home happy.
Say, ever wondered what I look like in the morning?
Taken immediately after yesterday morning’s workout: observe the lack of makeup, the glasses, the drenched armpits.
This is the face of progress.
Let’s skip brazen declarations this time around and just say it feels great to be exercising again.
C’mon, you know you love my Fivefingers!
Has real life been interfering with your exercise goals?
How are those shoes? I’ve been waffling about getting some, because I love the concept of them (I’d faaar rather be barefoot than shod) but it seems like if your feet and toes aren’t structured just the way the shoes are, they’d be really uncomfortable. Hence the waffling.
Mmmmmm waffles.
I’ve actually just started going to the gym too, and I’m pleasantly surprised at how much I like it. I’m sure I look migthy silly, and the first time I went I nearly toppled an elliptical machine over, but I’ve managed not to wreak havoc yet! I’m impressed you exercise in glasses — I’m pretty sure that would drive me bonkers.
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Also, those are definitely some mighty functional cheekbones you’ve got going.
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Millie – Unless you have fallen arches or webbed toes, I think you could be happy with Fivefingers. Is there anywhere in town you could try on a pair?
Here’s a store locator: http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/productSupport/store_locator.cfm
During today’s workout, I incorrectly attached a piece of equipment above my head, which later fell onto my knee. We should team up.
You’re too kind.
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Millie Reply:
September 15th, 2010 at 9:22 PM
I actually have pretty flat feet, so they might not work :/ There’s a place that sells them in town (I didn’t think there was!) so I’ll go try them on.
At least it didn’t fall on your head! Clearly we need to team up. Go Team Awkward!
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Rebekah Reply:
September 16th, 2010 at 8:25 AM
If you’re comfortable walking around barefoot, I don’t see why you wouldn’t be comfortable in Fivefingerss. Some people are in PAIN without constant arch support.
I read about a study of Indian children in which the poorest children studied had the healthiest feet; no shoes! The kids who could afford shoes had more foot problems. Every time I hear about TOMS giving children shoes, I think of that study. Though I still think it’s best to have ACCESS to shoes, for protection from thorns and heat if nothing else.
I wonder if exercise was factored in; how many foot problems stem from underdeveloped foot muscles?
Let me know how the try-on goes!
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you are precious :) love the photos! miss you!
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Rebekah Reply:
September 16th, 2010 at 8:27 AM
AuuuugrrrghggHHHHH! Guess who completely, totally forgot to call you both Saturday AND Sunday? Some correspondent I’m turning out to be.
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