Warm It Up

I used to watch The Biggest Loser like all the time.
It was kind of crazy, but very inspiring.
Look at those people go! I would think. That father/son team is burning sooo many calories!
I hope they win! They're working so hard. They deserve it!

I would say these things as I lay on the couch on my side,eating my various snacks.
 Ice cream, popcorn, cheese and crackers, bugles.
Just a little something to tide me over.
Those workouts on that show are hard, and it was stressful to watch.
I mean, these people are SWEATING!
I would work up a real thirst just from watching.

What else was I suppossed to do?! Just sit there and do nothing like a lazy person?!?!
No sirree, not I. These people were working SO HARD!
SOMEONE had to take one for the team and eat on their behalf!
That SOMEONE would be ME.


Those aren't clouds...

Let's try that again.


 

Trying to reach some popcorn on the floor. Sometimes the truth is just ugly.

I have gained some weight over the last 8 - 30 years or so.
Mostly over the last eight.
I've had four more children, who are all 7 and under.
I put on weight so easily. It's not fair.
I think I am one of those rare people who gains weight simply by
breathing air.
Oh you don't know anyone like that? You didn't know that was an actual condition??
Well it is.
So this is why I started walking/jogging.
I also do it to clear my head.My home is a loud place.
I want to lose weight. I want to be healthy. I want to look my best.
I want to set a good example for my children.
I want to fit into some cute jeans without gasping.
The thing is, I can be very lazy. It comes quite naturally to me.
It takes no effort whatsoever to be this lazy.
I would go so far as to say that if I could install an escalator in my home, I would do it.
But not just for stairs. Why stop there?
I would want it on flat surfaces as well.

I can imagine myself carrying a basket of laundry on one hip, a baby on the other,
and the phone with my teeth..all without ever having to move my legs.
Have you ever been to O'Hare Airport?
They have one of those flat escalator things there.
Who came up with this?? Who is this brilliant person?
I know one thing: O'Hare Airport is doing it right.

Now my life is changing.
I have walked/jogged 2 miles pretty much every day lately.
I look forward to it!
I'm addicted.
It feels really great to get out there and MOVE.
When I'm out there, I say things to myself like:
 I'M so proud of YOU!! You're like a cheetah this week, walking and running but MOSTLY walking!! Like cheetahs do! You even walked by the ice cream parlor without getting in line!!You didn't even check out the flavor of the day!!! I know you already knew it was black cherry, but still! You just walked right by that place like it was a tree!!! Because you're a CHEETAH!!! Cheetahs don't eat ice cream!!!

It looks like I'm genuflecting here. But nope.

The other day I was jogging when an older couple drove down the street and stopped. They were waiting for me to go past their driveway so that they could pull in.
There they sat, watching me. Most humiliating 12 minutes of my life (I'm estimating).
Then the man leaned out his window and said "Good girl!" in the kindest voice ever. I'm sayin..his voice was like a Santa Claus voice.

God help me, but I was so edified by his words that I almost began sobbing hysterically.
At the same time I felt a sudden urge to run at his vehicle and cry "SAAAAVE ME SIRRRR!" because truthfully I was experiencing heat stroke symptoms. 
In a moment of notable self control,  I managed to convince myself that I was not panting down a hotass suburban street, but instead was sledding along comfortably in the arctic tundra.

Kidding. It was really that man's sweet encouragement that carried me through the rest of my workout.
Next time you see someone out for a run/walk/jog, consider cheering them on.
We don't cheer each other on enough, you know?
I don't know if I'd choose the words "Good girl!" though.
I mean it was a healing experience for me, but another woman might punch you in the face for that.
But definitely give more compliments, more smiles, more thumbs ups and more high fives to people...even strangers.

You're trying too hard.



 

Be natural. Be yourself.

 

It might seem scary or embarrassing, but it's a great thing to do.
People need to feel connection. They need to feel like someone sees them.
We need to help make the world a warmer place, you know?
Remember the wise words of the 90's hip hop group, Kris Kross:
"Warm it up, Kris.
I'm about to.
Warm it up Kris.
That's what I was born to do."
Amen, Kris Kross. Amen.
Folks, we were born to warm it up, nah mean?
God made this world, and despite all the bad things that happen in it, it's still a good place.
We don't need to tiptoe around and try to blend in.
We have something to offer the world, and the world has something to offer to us.
It's part of the Human Experience.
Smile. Be friendly. Add to the beauty.
Let your light shine:)