My “sensible eating plan with lapses as needed” and 5 minutes a day exercise program is working!

My back went out pretty bad recently and I started seeing a chiropractor in my new ritzy neighborhood.  During one of his weeks of treatments he casually tossed off the reason I was now crippled was my lack of core strength.  My mother had me in toe shoes by the age of 3 - you would think the idea of  core strength would have become ingrained in me, and I guess it had, because I freaked out!! Much to the chagrin of my new chiropractor, who had taken no note of what he had just said. I couldn't believe that I had so little core strength I couldn't hold up my own skeleton.

Up until that point my abhorrence to exercise overcame any motivation to do it.  But the idea of being crippled in my old age scared me, and inspired me to maintain core strength.  Of course, I’m not one to exceed my inspirations.  There was no way I was going to force myself to go on daily walks. That hasn't worked for years now. Or making myself go to the gym room daily. I have chastised myself on many an occasion. "Self," I say, "you are paying for that gym room, all you have to do is walk down there and use the equipment." I forced myself to once or twice, but just couldn't get into doing it every day. If I try actually committing myself to a strict daily exercise program all that ever happens is I feel guilty for failing to accomplish it.

I finally asked myself, "Self, what could you commit to?" That was the most brilliant question. It was like God slapped me upside the head and said, "THIMK, you idiot! Just do whatever you can commit to." I thought about all the things I had successfully ever committed to doing daily in my life and there is only one thing. Brushing my teeth. There are days I don't shower or get dressed, but a day I don't brush my teeth is a rare day, usually involving jet lag. Why? Because of how terrified I was that I would lose my teeth, and I have been going to the same dentist for 30 years because he taught me how to take care of my teeth so I wouldn't lose them. Here is my dentist and hygienist playing basketball after my appointment (I'm always the last appointment on Saturdays because I'm just not a morning person and they close the office at 1 pm).

But I digress. What could I commit to doing every day after I brush my teeth? For a while I thought I could commit to doing these great exercise programs I have recorded on my DVR. The belly dancing classes are yummy!!! But no, I couldn't commit to a whole half hour. I tried, didn't work. It didn't take too long before I came up with the answer of what I could easily commit to. I could commit to testing myself every day to make sure I had some core strength left at all.  “Can I still do 10 or 20 sit-ups?  Good.  I’m done with my exercise routine.”  Oh, and I’m talking about really wimpy sit-ups. Truthfully, those wimpy sit-ups kill me every morning. But I have been doing them daily without fail. WITHOUT FAIL! THAT MEANS I HAVE SUCCEEDED! HOORAY FOR ME!!

I think some call this depression.  My roommate thinks I’m an undiagnosed very high functioning autistic.  I think I may be an undiscovered genius that should write a diet and exercise book.  Because today a co-worker asked me if I was losing weight and told me I look good!  Holy crap! It's working! HOORAY FOR ME!!