Skip to main content

I am of the Wrong Shape!


Today I started something that I have been talking about for years. It all began when I was a youngster. I remember looking at my uncle and noticing a funny shaped round belly on an otherwise very skinny frame. To me it reminded me of a skinny pregnant woman. I remember realizing that I have a similar build and I remember hoping that I would never wind up with that crazy shape. I am 34 now, and though I would probably still be considered tall and skinny, I am starting to lose the skinny part of that distinction. People used to often say things like, "how do you eat so much, and stay so thin?" Now they say, "how do you eat so much?" I have noticed that I am starting to get the round belly that my uncle had, and horror of horrors I am starting to grow two things on my chest that only belong on women. Yes, man-boobs!
The breaking point came this weekend, when I was at a Vikings game in Minneapolis (they won, woohoo), I realized that when I was climbing the stairs at the metrodome (and we didn't have many to climb) my legs became wobbly, I was sweating profusely and my heart rate was way too high. As we were driving home, we were talking about how having kids and a busy life can really take away from having an active lifestyle - I don't really have time to play basketball anymore, or floor hockey, or anything half regular at all - or at least that is my excuse. I might run around with my kids on occasion, but they are 7, 5 and 3, and I can easily beat them at whatever we are doing without really breaking a sweat, so I don't try hard enough to break a sweat.
So today, I started my workout, here at church, where I work. I talked to Nicky and she was OK with me not coming home for lunch and spending that time working out in our gym (thankfully our church sanctuary converts into a gym every week). I love to play basketball so I designed myself a basketball workout...here is what I did:
  • Warm up - Stretching - shooting hoops - running for the rebound and putting in a layup
  • Cardio - How many layups can I do in 5 minutes? (26 apparently) I run full court to do each lay up and must put it in.
  • Strength and conditioning - Push ups - how many can I do in 1 minute? (20 apparently - ugh) - Jumping - I touch the basketball to the rim 10 times on each side
  • Cool Down - 20 post up moves, plus shooting hoops as before, then stretching.
  • Shower

I realize that this is probably pathetic compared to what a lot of you do but it's a start for me. A couple things I learned through this process. 1. Push ups are ridiculously hard, especially when you have put on about 35 pound since the last time you have done them. 2. I can't dunk the basketball anymore. 3. It is really hard to get the ball in the basket when you are super tired. 4. Bring a towel when you need to shower - the paper towel works but that is really wasteful! 5. You still sweat even after you have showered - allowing me to make all kinds of friends in the office.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Should I Bring Jesus to the Poor?

I met this young lady who works for an inner city organization that works with children. She has been working there for 10 years. She said one thing in particular that really struck me. She said, "I used to think that when I came to the inner city to work with these kids that I would bring Jesus to them, but when I got here and started working with them, I started to realize that Jesus was already here." It struck me because I think that we middle class people (not just Christians) think that we should go into the inner-city and "rescue" people from their situation. We often feel as though we have all the answers and they have everything wrong. Is it possible that it is the other way around? Is it possible that people who live on the streets...those who don't worry about tomorrow, those who are not obsessed with money or material possessions actually have something to teach us? I think so. So in response to the question, "Should I bring Jesus to the po...
2 comments
Read more

Broken Hand - And I didn't even hit anyone!

I have been absent from posting for a few weeks mostly for one reason. I broke my hand. I know, I know it is possible to type with one hand...but I found it incredibly frustrating to do so, I can't stand hunting and pecking! Especially with my left hand. How did I injure my hand? I am glad you asked, since I have only told the story about 1000 times in the last two weeks, so you are lucky number 1001. I was in Pinawa at some natural waterslides close to the old Pinawa Dam(n!). I was there with a bunch of youth leaders as part of a leadership retreat that we were doing. We were having a great time going down the rapids on the (relatively?!) smooth rocks for about 45 minutes. My friend Jason and I decided that it would be a great idea to go down on a tube, together. My friend Matt held the tube for us as we got on and released us down the rapids (I mention names here because there is a pending lawsuit, and I am still not sure who is at fault...Jason for rolling off the tube ...
6 comments
Read more

"Christian" Music

The whole idea of "Christian" music has bothered me lately. There is this whole industry that exists to produce and sell "Christian" music. It's as if the music itself could be Christian...I am pretty sure that music itself does not have a soul (well OK there is Soul music, but c'mon!). I prefer to think that music is just music, sometimes Christians play it, sing it or write it. What if Christians did not have the advantage of having Christian labels producing their music, or Christian radio stations playing their music and Christian book stores selling their music? I think it would be wonderful...I think there would be more "Christian" music on secular radio stations and in regular music stores. There would be Christian artists who are more prepared to be honest about their faith. There would be people outside the Christian circles who might be exposed to some good Christian artists (I think there are a couple of those!?). I think this would make...
4 comments
Read more