Ranch Tour ~ The Gym

There have been several stops on the ranch tour in the history of this blog, but I don't believe I've ever shown you the gym. Could be because it didn't exist until a few weeks ago...when I pulled on a pair of jeans I had purchased in early December and they were already feeling a little too tight. About the same time, I found myself huffing and puffing my way up a cliff that I used to be able to climb without a second thought. Hmmm. Then I stepped on the scale. 'Nuff said. I needed a plan to get back to a healthy weight.

I picked up a copy of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred DVD. She promised me I could lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days. Yeah, right. I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday. But I figured if I could do her 20-minute workout at least five days a week, ramp up the speed on my daily walks with Smooch, and stop eating like a lumberjack, at least my jeans wouldn't be too tight.

Having failed to read the fine print on the DVD cover that said "you will need hand weights and an exercise mat if exercising on a hard surface," I improvised.

As I write this on day 10 of my 30-day shred, much to my surprise, the damned thing's working. My jeans aren't as tight. And I'm sort of enjoying the exercise. Every day, I pull out my makeshift mat and my sledge hammer and wood-splitting thing, turn on the DVD, and make an idiot out of myself in the living room while Smooch and the cats gather around to snicker. I'm quite certain that Hank, George and Alan are watching me through the window and having a good laugh as well.

Coach Rosebud: Get off the ground a little higher on those jumping jacks.

Me: If you want supper tonight, you'll shut up now.

Coach Smooch: You're sweating up a storm over there. Can I get you a towel?

Me: Why, yes, you can. And swing by the fridge for a beer as long as you're up.

Coach Snapper: Five more...we're almost done.
Me: What's with this "we" crap?

I wasn't sure I'd have the discipline to stick to this home workout program, but my coaches are keeping me motivated. Then I received a message last Wednesday which is proving to be the greatest weight-loss motivator of all and may change the course of history at the 7MSN. I've set myself a deadline of mid-April and embarked upon a 12-week challenge to get back into riding shape. I'll tell you that part of the story tomorrow.