Hip Rants
August 4, 2008
“If a woman had to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant’s life, she’d choose to save the infant’s life, without even considering if there’s a man on base.”
I start with this quote from Dave Barry because it pretty much sums up our family theme this summer.
Baseball rules. My daughter and I try to be suitably worshipful of the team that keeps winning . and winning. And winning. But it is fascinating to watch as our vacation morphs into a stay-cation.
Not that we could afford to fly a family of five anywhere anyway, or even drive more than two tankfuls away either. Not that I’d even consider piling three teenagers into the back seat of any vehicle, regardless of it’s size and drive beyond the city limits , even if it were for free.
And as Nora Ephron says, the empty nest is underrated. But in spite of all the baseball and in spite of making blueberry pancakes every day and constantly hanging beach towels out to dry, we are having a fabulous summer.
I try to keep my attitude about baseball, and life in general, really, as close to Stephen Still’s “Love the One You’re With” because if you can’t be on the beach you want, Honey, love the field you’re on.
My newsletters have been written entirely in my mind each week and since I didn’t mentally back up my files, I can’t remember what I wrote in my head.
But I called a pancake moratorium this morning so I could check in and be sure you are all still exercising and eating right.
My July Fitness Challenge participants are shedding pounds like a second skin. In three weeks all of them lost at least ten pounds and one lost 12. I request that the media respect their privacy and that of their families as they continue to rock on towards their goals.
Speaking of working out, many of you who have been in my kitchen and are my witness that yes, we have a pull up bar on the dining room doorway. My kids think it’s a utensil and are surprised when they go to friend’s houses and there’s no where to hang from while waiting for the cheese on the nachos to melt. And there’s nothing like a few pull-ups to make you change your mind about the second bowl of ice cream. Pull ups go with ice cream about as well as orange juice and toothpaste; or tuna and peppermint.
Plus it gives me something to do when I come into the kitchen and forget what I was going to do.
My pull up bar is my new best friend. I had a big break through this past weekend. We hosted a 3 day training workshop for a strength training program called Body Pump. On Friday, when it started, I was still unable to make it through my pull-up attempt, same as the past five months. My motto of never, ever, ever give up was starting to get on my last nerve.
By Monday, I could do almost three full pull-ups. This conditioning program using a barbell and high reps is the most amazing program I’ve seen in an exercise studio in decades. To think that I thought I was working to my max all these years and after 3 days, I had redefined it all.
We are launching this innovative class at my gym this September but even if you are not in the Stamford area, check it out on YouTube. It is pretty revolutionary.
Anyway, I’m only midway through my stay-cation so if you don’t hear from me in August, you’ll know our son’s team is still winning, but that I’ll be back soon with lots of annoying toning tips and fascinating fitness facts .
Here’s one to leave you with. I heard (The Artist Formerly Known As) Prince just had his hip replaced in February. Yes, he and I have yet one more thing in common.
Stay toned and tuned.
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