Exercise and Me: A Tale of Woe

I went to my first zumba class tonight. I know, I know, I'm so 2000 and late, tardy to the party, etc. I can't help it. This girl just couldn't bring herself to go out in public and shake her hips (without the assistance of a couple of drinks). And there were totally moments tonight when I looked in that large mirror at the front of the room and thought, "Seriously? What in the heck am I doing here? I look ridiculous."



I have as much rhythm as the guy in blue...it's bad.
Image from home.messiah.edu

I blame my sister, mostly. She convinced me that I needed to get back on the workout wagon (true) and that zumba would be a great way to start it (the jury is still out). Let's keep in mind that she's had two kids and not only reached her pre-pregnancy weight, but is creeping perilously close to my weight. I am about 5 inches shorter than she is and have zero kids to blame for my weight gain. Woe is me.

Over the past year, I've been trying to win the Battle of the Bulge (not to be confused with this Battle of the Bulge) or what I've affectionately dubbed the war with my waist line. I think most women in their twenties can identify with this. If you can't, you're either (a) lying or (b) the beneficiary of amazing genes and destined to be my mortal enemy. For some people it's super easy to incorporate exercise into their lives. I am simply not one of those people. I love all things sedentary: watching movies, my desk job, sleeping, lying on my couch, sunbathing, etc. You get the picture. So if I have my choice between napping and sweating on the treadmill, I think you know where to find me. Also on the list of things I love: food. You can see how this is a bad combination.



My preferred place
Image from everything2me.net



Not me - there is no smiling when I'm on a treadmill
Image from http://scienceblogs.com/

Last winter I reached my heaviest weight ever and decided enough was enough. I joined the local YMCA and enrolled in their "Move it or Lose it" program. I worked with a trainer and a team (Biggest Loser style) for 12 weeks. I lost 15 lbs. It was pretty amazing. I was in the best shape of my life. Fast forward 6 months and I'm back to my lethargic ways and almost back to my pre-YMCA weight. FAIL. And with my 10-year high school reunion only 5 days away! Eeps!

So this landed me in the Monday night zumba class at the YMCA. Imagine me fidgeting nervously, arms crossed, then uncrossed as we waited for the class to begin. Now picture me moving my hips like yeah and bobbing my head like yeah. Okay, maybe you don't want to picture that. It's understandable. I'm an amateur at best. Buuut, I'm also a convert. It's true. Zumba is legit. I got a crazy good workout. I broke a sweat. I looked like an idiot. It was really a perfect end to the day. Maybe by the end of this I won't look like a total idiot dancing but the real hope is to slim this waistline.

What about you? Do you have crazy good genes or do you feel my pain? Are you lazy and love food? Have you figured out a way to lose weight without exercising? Please comment and tell me. Otherwise, I'm going to have to keep exercising.