Drop Down and Give Me Twenty

We’re careening around the bend to summer’s finale and I really don’t want to think about that. So I’m going to write about something even more alarming: Working Out.

If you have been following this blog for any length of time or if you have run into me EVER, you know I am aging. I feel pretty good about this as the alternative is death and, like the end of summer, death is something I’d like to put off for awhile. God willing.

So I’m aging, mostly happily, though I certainly have my days. One such day recently, my sweet son, Mitch, was busy encouraging me. I’m pretty sure Mitch loves compliments and encouragement himself, so he dishes them out to me, too, in an effort to be kind. Turns out, I’d prefer chocolate and almonds, but we’ll get there someday. But a few days ago, Mitch walked beside me as we went up to his room and he said, “Mom, I like those cracking noises your knees make when you go up stairs.”

Chocolate and almonds.

I have two beautiful, smart, fiesty and faith-propelled grandmas. They teach me to age with grace and sass, a delightful combination.

So I’m not against aging. I just like to work out every now and then so I can look cute like my grandmas when I get to that part. Or at least release some endorphins so I’m not cranky AND creaky at the ripe age of 37.

Here’s the thing, though: I’m pretty sure I look like a freak-o when I’m working out. More specifically: I look pathetic when I run. I’m slow. And sweaty. And red-faced. And desperate for someone to run over my toes with a pick-up so I’ll be forced to stop.

I don’t make it a habit to run in front of mirrors, which is smart on all kinds of levels. So maybe I look awesome. MAYBE I look like this person.

Photo by Athleta.com

Maybe I do. I’m guessing, though, from the concerned expressions of passersby and the looks on my children’s faces when I return home, my face as red as Elmo’s and my breathing sounding kind of like I’m working a 1-900 hotline…I’m guessing I don’t look that great. In fact, this cartoon captures the truth much more clearly.

Happy week, friends. 😉