Battle of the Bulge

Working out and getting in shape has been on my short list of things to do since high school. During this time, I never managed to actually join a gym though.

Throughout high school, my workouts included riding horses, and 50 sit-ups before bedtime. Of course, I was 15, 16, 17 & 18 and obliviously in my prime. Working out wasn't really that necessary for me.

As the years of college came and went, most of my exercise came in the shape of lifting boxes of Franzia from the car to the fridge, walking to parties and other such endeavors.

The after college years (all 6 of them) we'll call the dark years. These are the years that I've noticed a change in my body. My size 0's moved to 2's. My 2's moved to 4's. My 4's are on their way to a 6 - so on and so forth. Believe me, you may think "pssshh - a size 4?!" Well, yeah, it's fine and dandy, but 4 to 6, 6 to 8, 8 to 10, 10 to 12, 12 to 16, 16 to 18....a -hem - it happens. I just want to always stay fit enough to ride - that's all I'm trying to say here.

Having to learn to control my food intake and really exercise, has been a struggle to say the least. In October, B and I joined a gym. In all honesty, I hate working out with an immense passion. My workout schedule involves 22 minutes on this fancy high stepping elliptical machine. I like it because I get enough momentum going on the downward swoop, that the machine really helps on the upward turn, which helps with the next downward turn and so on. Lovin' gravity for a change! After that horrendous cardio workout - all 22 minutes of it, I hit the weight machines. I don't mind this so much, because it doesn't involve heavy breathing or passing out.

My trick on the cardio portion is a little bit good music - Saul Williams, Lady GaGa or any kind of fast dance beat a la' Scissor Sisters keeps me going. Also, captioned tv. It has to be something juicy though. Instead of the unbearable pain of watching the clock slowly tick by on the elliptical machine, I can become enthralled enough in the tv so that time flies. I've tried readin, but there's just too much bouncing involved.

B and I have been going to the gym at least twice a week for a good 3 months now, and you know what? I haven't noticed a thing. B has lost a good 15 lbs, he's looking slimmer and trimmer, and he's feeling great. I, on the other hand, am looking just about as flabby, pale but feel a smidge better overall, meaning I don't huff and puff walking up the stairs anymore. Hmmm...what's up with that? I need to rethink my strategy....I despise working out, so I guess I'll just have to cut out ice cream, excessive wine, cheese and no more french fries. It's so hard I tell ya!