I just finished doing my first workout with Richard Simmons' Sweatin' to the Oldies video. It's not my very first workout to the video EVER...just this time around trying to lose weight.Initially I started doing the workouts back in 1995. I had seen him a long time before that on General Hospital and as quirky as he is I liked his personality.
Anyway...I was going to workout yesterday but the VHS tape that I had from "way back when" has disappeared but luckily my daughter has the 20th Anniversary DVD and she gave it to me last night.
As I moved to the familiar routines my mind flooded with thoughts. I remembered how I LOVED my Social Dance class in college, how I'd rather do this than walk on a treadmill. I thought of how the last time I really did the workouts I had a mirror in front of me. It wasn't a pretty sight seeing all of this flesh moving around to music but I will NEVER forget the one time I looked in the mirror and could actually see that my body was changing! It was glorious. It reminded me that I need to jot down my measurements so that on weeks that I might not lose I might at least see progress in my body shape.
Over the years I've tried lots of different things, Jazzercize, Zumba, gym memberships and truth be told I'd rather be at the YMCA but it's too far from where I currently live. So today I'm exercising in my living room with the blinds closed. No one should have to look in here and see this even by accident!
Today I made myself laugh out loud during the routine as I reached and danced and felt muscles that I haven't felt for a while. Remember the movie "Ruthless People" with Bette Midler, Danny DeVito, Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater? (1986)
I thought of Bette Midler's character, Barbara Stone, being chained to a bed and exercising by herself in the basement where she is being held for ransom. I'm not a prisoner in my house but I kind of felt like her for a brief moment!
I've actually met Richard Simmons. I met him back in 2002 when I joined "Get Healthy Pensacola". He came to the Bay Front Auditorium (which is gone) and did a giant class. My boss, who was and still is VERY thin, and her mother in law came with me. I was determined to be on the stage and exercise with him! And we did!!! Afterwards, I got to meet him personally. I found him to be a kind and genuine man.
So...thanks Richard for the workout and thanks Bette for making me laugh at myself.
In my heart of hearts I always wanted to be a dancer. I was to scared to ever try in High School because I felt too big. When I look back on old pictures I wonder what evil deamon possessed my brain. I was pretty hot!! I'd love to be "fat" like that again!!
ReplyDeleteI love your description of closing all the blinds to workout! Been there done that!! I'm really liking the Leslie Sansone DVD's. I can walk 5 miles in my own living room! :)
Your great.. You'll get there. hang in!
ReplyDeleteThis was so fun to read. I was at that Richard Simmons thing that day. I don't remember much about it because I was in charge of some of it. I'm glad you got to be on stage with him. I do remember the CEO of our hospital up there dancing with him. I remember thinking that "Al" was probably dying of humiliation up there because that was so out of character for him. It was part of his job and he did it and I had my eyes glued to him the entire time. Good luck. I have had bad knees for a year so I cheer for anyone who can get up and groove to the oldies. Go Rennie!
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