feelin’ groovy (from the waist up)

I feel really good today – mentally, that is. Boot camp this morning was all about sprinting (it’s cold; they wanted to keep our muscles warm. Mmm hmmm) so physically, I’m all wobbly legged and still haven’t lost that heaving feeling, whoa, that heaving feeeeeeling. But! Since today was the last day of the four-week camp, I ventured onto the scale and was greeted with a number eight and a half pounds lower than when I began. This makes me very happy. True, due to some very stubborn saddlebags, I’m still approximately eighty THOUSAND squat jacks away from fitting into jeans I don’t hate because of how closely they come to falling into Category: Mom Jeans, but this is the kind of progress I can get behind.

Tomorrow, I aim to ride a bike, a feat I have not attempted in seventeen years. Ooh, and on Sunday, I start hot yoga (ten days for ten dollars! Suckers). If you do not hear from me on Monday, come looking. I will be the one in a dehydrated heap of a pretzel on the classroom floor. Just add water.

In case you’re wondering why I’m being such a nut so dedicated about this exercise crap (more than one person has insinuated it’s because of my boyfriend), I’m telling you straight: it’s not at all about the Boy (who just plain loves me, inclusive of very stubborn saddle bags). It’s about clothes. Fall time brings cooler weather and an outdoor wedding in the middle of November brings about a need for an outfit to withstand – and fashionably, at that – the aforementioned weather. And seeing as how I can’t afford to buy clothes in Size Fluffy and also make my car payment, I’m trying to whittle down to fit in my pre-existing fall wardrobe. Right now, my full length coat doesn’t close around my bum. And I’d sure like it to.

In a final bit o’ news, we’re expecting the arrival of my niece, Penny, ANY DAY NOW. To hasten delivery, my brother has tried loading his wife up with spicy foods and driving her up into the canyon for some experiments in elevation – all to no avail. I’ve even tried to coax her out with a cheery game of Red Rover (send Penny right over!) but obviously, good clean fun means nothin’ to kids these days because she’s still in there. Taunting us. 

21 comments to feelin’ groovy (from the waist up)

  • I hear you Fish! I tried on two pairs of jeans I wanted to wear for the fall and realized that when I got them last December I was 2 sizes smaller… boot camp here I come! I cannot waste a perfectly good wardrobe that’s collecting dust in my closet!

  • Good for you woman. I wish I would see a number 8 and a half pounds lower than what I was expecting…but then again I don’t weigh myself anymore. It might sound condescending from a stranger but, I’m proud of you! I know how hard it is.

  • Jen

    Look at you rocking those pounds down! Congrats!

  • Nicole

    Congrats on the 8.5 pounds, but what is it with late fall weddings being held outdoors? I have one next weekend in Maryland at night, and I’m trying to figure out how to stay warm.

  • Anonymous

    I really need to do this thing called boot camp! is it just in your area? or do you think perhaps they may have one out in the denver area for me! :)

  • Alyssa

    Wow! That’s great!

    I’ve been doing hot yoga for a few months now, and I love it. I’m hoping to start Crossfit, as well. It’s like bootcamp, but shorter, lol!

    Hope your niece arrives soon!!!!!

  • Kate

    That’s so awesome! You are an inspiration to all of us.

  • sarah

    Tell your brother sex works to start labor. Seriously. Semen is full of prostaglandins which help ripen the cervix. They are the same hormones that are recreated in Cervidil et al. This is the natural, free method of same. Google it! Congrats on the new niece. Hopefully you won’t have to wait too long to give her a cousin. :)

  • Renee

    OMG I hear ya on the baby stuff ~ my nephew Ashton was due October 20, and I’ve been doing all I can to my sister to make her pop that baby out already. Just isn’t happening… hopefully they’ll both arrive ASAP. :)

  • Sarah

    You’re gonna love the bike! I took up cycling again about 3 years ago and it’s become one of my favorite hobbies now. And Yes… your butt will get used to the seat eventually. I love how it makes me feel like a kid again!

  • lawyerchik1

    I am in the same boat – I signed up for a “body boot camp” class at the local community college. 2 days a week, starting 11/2…. My goal isn’t a November wedding; it’s a December party, for which I do not want to spend any more money on a dress when I have a perfectly good one in my closet that I can’t wear yet, due to the “extra-fluffiness” I have accumulated.

    Oh, and on the baby stuff: my grandmother used to swear by this method to induce labor. Waffles and ice cream on Sunday night. It has to be waffles, and it has to be on Sunday night. Apparently, it’s worked 3 out of 4 times. Good luck!

  • Teresa

    wow! 8.5 pounds! and you probably gained some muscle weight too… so that’s so awesome! Don’t tell this to your brother in law, but my sisters-in-law had me drink castor oil (didn’t work) talked a ride jock into letting me on the tilt-a-whirl (no luck) trips down really bumpy roads, and I don’t remember what all else! when I got to almost 3 weeks overdue, my doctor finally induced labor.

    I’m a lot older than most of you guys, but have a perfect pair of black jeans that I’m working to get into… gonna go back to hip hop abs… it’s sooo much fun! and I can do it on my schedule, since I work nights and sleep days..

  • About four months ago I began biking again after a many-years hiatus. I was really scared at first, had to talk myself into doing big rides, especially in traffic and across town. I used to walk everywhere and now am so fast on the bike I can’t believe how much time I wasted and I can’t believe how much I love biking. It’s so fun and joyful! Reminds me of being a kid when exercise wasn’t something planned or a chore. So I hear your trepidation but by now I can’t believe how long I went without using the bike because I ride it everyday. Enjoy it! Even if you don’t love it, biking will be way more fun that boot camp (props for getting through that too!)

  • Congrats on feeling groovy!

    I wanted to say how fantastic the name “Penny” is. Is there a story to it?

  • Congrats on the weight loss. And for getting through that boot camp. That’s no easy feat, but you did it. Rejoice!

    And why does it have to be about the boyfriend? Why can’t it just be about YOU and feeling your best?

    Anyhoo, the reason is irrelevant. Just glad you’re doing it.

  • Anonymous

    Yeah, I’m not quite sure why folks want it to be about the boyfriend – as though I’m having to change myself to win him over? The winning over is done, and it never really hinged on my body fat percentage. I don’t really understand. Anyway, yes, it’s very much about me and let’s face it, the older you get, the fewer things in your day that get to be just about you. This is mine :)

  • Neyha

    lol lol. i’m sure you look fabulous. get it girl! your blog should me a tv series. i love it!!!

  • Kabe

    ARGH! That’s what I say to the whole “it’s the boyfriend who is making her change” comment.

    In my case, I attribute having a boyfriend to GETTING me 10 pounds fluffier. He loves his carbs; I’m a protein girl. He eats all of the time. The candy! The ice cream! The cashews! You’d think I could have a tiny scoop of ice cream to his full pint and be safe, but noooooo! He’s still thin and I’m getting fluffier.

    We just got back from vacation where I ran 33 miles in a week and guess what? I still gained weight. It’s ridiculous.

    Keep up the good work and enjoy the bike! I got on mine for the first time in over a decade and loved zipping down the Greenbelt. Hope you’ll feel the same!

  • Regina Ausmalbilder

    Congrats! All the challenges are so difficult…I know something about that. But now I feel completely free and proud of myself. I lost more than 13 pounds!

  • s

    Am soo impressed with the 8.5 pounds, and not a litte envious! I’ve gained a lot of weight since I got married a year ago, and am struggling to take it back off. My motivations are the same as yours. I finally caved and bought some new work clothes b/c I just couldn’t take showing up at the office in too tight skirts (not exactly professional!) but refuse to buy new weekend clothes: its all leggings, all the time until i can get back into my jeans.

  • Michael

    Cute kid,God bless.

    I think every woman does need a man, ahem, well most women…and at least a good one.

    Just as every man ahem,well most men, need a good woman…

    I know that I need mine; Because without her smile, I would perpetually be an obnoxious a-hole. Without her brain, I would continue to walk around making half-brained decisions. Without her voice, I would not know what serenity sounds like. Without her love, I would be just half a person, for she has made me tolerable, tolerant, and total.

    I thank god that there are women on this planet to share it with. I especially thank God for mine…