WE ARE: 5 women navigating our twenties in search of peace, happiness and love (or not). WE WRITE: about everything and nothing. From the insane to the mundane- you will find different paths taken, lessons learned and lives lived. WE THINK: you’ll enjoy it...Warning: Consumption of these views may leave you enlightened while intoxicated.

SO LONG, FAREWELL...

The View From Here will conclude on Friday, October 1, our third year anniversary. We would like to spend this month thanking all of our readers, followers, haters, visitors, family, friends, and fans for your continued support, encouragement, and comments over these past few years. Thanks y'all!
-The Five Spot

Friday, July 16, 2010

The Wait Loss Effort

Hey y’all! I'm assuming there's still a y'all out there. Anywho. How’s it going today? Ok, so apparently (after checking the archives) I’ve tackled this weight issue thing twice two freakin’ years ago!!!! I distinctly remember writing this post in May of 2008 because I was being all healthy and going to boot camp on a regular basis. I fell off sometime in the Fall. Got back on track around Winter 2008. Was doing the damn thing until about summer 2009.

And then for a whole year I can honestly say that I have not moved nothing but the fork from the plate to my mouth. And pass me those rolls please! And let me go ahead and reach up high to get that $1 box of Betty Crocker brownies off the grocery store shelf.

Yeah. It’s been bad. Real bad, Janet Jackson when she's not on tour. It’s not like I don't know that I should work out. (And eat better). But let’s focus on the working out because like so many Americans (people?) I pretty much live a sedentary lifestyle. I mean there’s the occasional longish walk somewhere - you know like if I have to park on 9th and U and the bar is at 14th and U – but it’s pretty much home, work, church, happy hour, you know - the usual.

Please believe that it is a frustrating existence when you know you need to do something, but don’t. When your clothes are fighting a little tighter. And you step into the next size up pants at the store and they fit. And you’re like what the fuss? Yes, I know it takes commitment. And carving the time out of your day. And being disciplined. And doing it when you don’t feel like it. Cause I have worked out for long periods of time. Just not for long enough periods of time.

So after some start and stops earlier this summer, I was over on facebook and I saw a friend mention that she had her first Zumba class. Someone then proceeds to tell her about a free class in DC – just minutes away from where I live. I was like sayyy whaaaat? I’m totally gonna go!

And then I stuck to my word. Found a buddy – which is oh so helpful – and had my first class on Monday! Now, the fact that I totally loved every.single.thing. about Zumba aside, I have to tell y’all that the class was packed with Black women doing the damn thing! They were all ages, shapes, sizes, and shades. Some even brought their daughters.

I have done a lot of working out in my lifetime, but never in a room full of other Black women (well if you don’t count that step aerobics class in college). Anywho. I just loved the energy of everyone (the teacher w/ the purple tennis skirt and the sparkly tee with Zumba written on it included) who was there. I loved that we were an urban area the city and was in a class of people who looked like me. I loved that the women were positive and encouraging and funny. And there was a collective oh hell no when the teacher said she would make us do the arm workout again. And most importantly I loved that it was freeeeeeee!!!!

I know that in the past when I got on my workout grind I have set goals and expectations. And been on the scale everyday hoping it's going down. But now, I don't know. I think I'm just going to try. Make a concerted effort to get myself moving. And then move. Let some things occupying up my time go, so I can make some more time for me. And get it right and tight! Or at least rightish and tightish. Cause let me tell y'all my co-worker is 50 years old and she walks with a limp, breathes all heavy, has serious health issues, and I've never seen her put a vegetable near her lips - just PureD (that doesn't look right typed out - ha!) out of shape And I think she's mad at the world cause she can't walk 10 steps without huffing puffing.

Lord knows I'm too vain to ever let that be me. And so the effort begins again. Can't wait any longer.

That's my time y'all! Happy Rum Punch Friday!

7 comments:

Orange Star Happy Hunting said...

My motto is Fitness is for Life!
Glad you got moving again, keep it going!

Amaretto said...

Ain't that scary though? Seeing "youngish" middle age black women barely able to breathe and walk a few yards? "Target" and I talk about the sadness of that often. He says you can really see it in the church house and I must agree. So much for bodies being temples. LOL!

Sarah said...

where's this free zumba class? i want to take it!

Rum Punch said...

@ Orange Star - Yesss! It's all about moving. I feel like I'll always be a "thicker" chick - but I'd definitely like to be healthy and be able to walk up some steps without getting winded. :-)

@ Amaretto - Yes, that is so true! Mind flashes back to the prayer retreat. I think there are so many elements/reasons for why we don't get moving - work, carrying a household, gym membership is expensive, OUR HAIR! And on.

@ Sarah - Girl, come on! Banneker Rec Center, 2500 GA Ave NW. Mon & Wed 7:30-8:30. Get there a little early because it fills up fast. DC Recs have some great free classes! The center across the street from me has boot camp, line & hand dancing. And another one nearby has African Dance. I'm totally gonna make use of the services. :-)

Anonymous said...

I started working out at least 3x a week at a gym a couple months ago. After talking about our need to get into shape for 3 months, my friend Chris and I decided to join a gym together, and find a time to work out that would work for both of us.

I can tell you, more than any commitment - having a workout partner and schedule is singlehandedly the most necessary thing to making sure you actually do it.

Congrats on fighting the good fight. I'm hoping by next summer, even my gf would be going "Daaaaayyyaaaam".

Rum Punch said...

@ Kamakula - Yep! Those three things are what I've been missing. Lol. Especially the schedule. I now put my workout routine in my calendar like I would a meeting or ahem a happy hour outing. Tee hee. And yes, here's to next summer and looking (and feeling) fine! :-)

Cathrina said...
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