Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Saturday, November 20, 2010

Use It Or Lose It




Around the age of 45...maybe a little before that, I kept hearing these words over and over again. I am sure the over and over again is because I was starting to forget things.

Use It or Lose It
I knew these words meant I needed to focus on different areas of my life that I wasn't using...most specifically, exercising.  Like so many things, I felt I could pick it up when I desired and my abilities would be waiting there for me.

Five years down the road, well, I walk and stretch some.  I have had my back rebel a couple of times since my sixth child and his 10 pound entrance into the world...meaning I need to exercise and stretch more.

So the storms blew in and I didn't want to lose my days of walking, so I thought I would turn the television on and exercise with Gilad. Hey, I had done this in my early 30's and could more than keep up with the pace, so confidently I ventured into the exercise routine.  Surely my long forgotten body, my dancer's body would respond with very graceful movements to the counts.

Well, to my horror, the saying came flooding back to my memory!!!  USE IT OR LOSE IT!!!  
I am so glad candid camera wasn't installed and my whole house was vacant of any eyes.  If I could lose pounds by laughing that would have been the calories I lost.  It was just toooooooooooo funny!!!  I couldn't keep up with the movements, my legs went to the right, while he was going to the left.  Their kicks would go double time, while I was still on the first kick and  the wrong foot.  As they did stomach crunches  up and down, over and over again...well I collapsed...forget my stomach muscles.........I DON''T HAVE ANY!!!

At the end I was sweating....laughing by myself and I started to tell my brain that it has fooled me.  What was my brain thinking when it thought I could still keep pace and with grace, like I had done so easily years ago?

What a lesson!  Use it or lose it!  That saying works for so many things in our life.  Our spiritual walk, our relationships, our manners, our education...the list goes on and on.  I am going to pause and make me a list...which is a miracle for a non-list person, and see what abilities I have that I am not using.  Even if I have to use glasses to do some of it again. Stretching will allow my body more flexibility and other non-used abilities will stretch my brain.

I am so glad you didn't see it....but I can say, it would have given you a very good laugh or for some of you a smile!
I couldn't resist adding a clip from Lucy!!!  I have heard that laughing does burn up calories!!!

23 Joining in with more words:

So, I Begin this Journey...... said...

OMGOODNESS! I just love Lucy..... that clip was so funny!
Very enjoyable post Janette!

Debbie Petras said...

Well Janette, you did it! You got me laughing and that's a good thing. :) There's nothing like Lucy and Ethel to get me smiling.

Laughter is good for the heart and soul and yes, it probably does burn at least a few calories too.

I am totally with you on the weight loss and exercise thing. I too heard the use it or lose it but kind of poo pooed it since I was always exercising. But lately that hasn't always been the case. I'm using musles I didn't know I had lately. I can just picture you doing the exercise video. But give it time; that dancing body will return...

Love you,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Yes and I Love Lucy. One of my favorite, laugh out loud shows ever.

This post is so funny because just yesterday I went to the gym and worked out for a couple of hours. I got on the scale before I left and this adorable young mom - all of 100 pounds - came up from behind me and said "Why do you bother?"

It wasn't as funny yesterday as it is today. I know, someday, she will understand. The menopause pounds that magically appeared are a rite of passage I guess. My perspective is fine - I'm healthy and happy and that's what matters most. I do exercise several hours a week because it keeps the meno meanies at bay.

Debbie said...

Oh Janette...how I can relate..dsome of my exercise attempts are just pathetic...Lucy is soo hysterical. Always good for a laugh. Start back slowly and you'll be swinging those hips before you know it...your WAY too young to have lost that dancer bod...Have a wonderful week-end. HUGS

Farm Girl said...

Oh you are so funny, yes, the last time I tried a exercise video I had the same results. I bet you had fun though. I loved the clip too. She was such a genius at comedy.
Well, maybe next week exercise will come easier. I loved this you are so cute Janette.

Theresa said...

I don't know what is funnier? Lucy on skates or "I Love Lucy" in color. I don't remember that.

Susannah said...

One can never get too much of Lucy! Thanks for the laugh!

Trisha said...

Oh, Janette, you've made me laugh. I don't think I have stomach muscles left, either. The cartoon at the top of the post is true for me these days. :( Thanks for the weekend smiles, sweet friend!

Anonymous said...

Ah yes, Lucy! Now that's my kind of clip!
Lol!

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

What a wonderful post! THink I'll make me a sign with "Use It or Lose It" on it and put it on my mirror. I do exercise some by walking on my treadmill everyday, but there's so much more I should do. That's for the laughter this morning!

Paula said...

My goodness, you made me smile BIG with this post. Absolutely, we must use it or lose it and we must use it (whichever eating or fitness plan we choose) TO lose it :)

Sandy said...

Oh, this was so funny! I actually
don't remember this episode and
I thought I'd seen them all. It
feels so good to laugh. Thanks,
Janette. We just have to all
keep on walking or doing whatever
form of exercise we choose and
eventually we'll see results.
Even if we don't see exactly
what we want to see figure wise
we're doing our hearts good.

Sydney said...

I was just having a conversation with my sister re:exercising. We were saying that it is important to keep a healthy exercise routine along with better eating. Sadly, I have not exercised in quite some time.

Mikki said...

ROFL! Got to love Lucy!

And what a great post!!

Kathleen said...

So fun, and funny!

Nothing like a rip roaring laugh to cure just about anything.

Bless you,
Kathleen

A multi-dimensional life said...

I'm cracking up! Seeing those old clips reminds me of just how much I LOVE LUCY! :) Of course, I was already laughing (with you, not at you) ....you make me smile so often!

Beth in NC said...

That was too funny! Lucy was such a nut!

I'm sure your body will remember how to move again. :o) I need to start exercising again myself!

Blessings!
Beth

Stacy@hiswaynotmine said...

Oh Janette...how I love you so! Thanks for the smile and the laugh. You are beautiful inside and out! :) The first step is always the hardest, keep it up.

Suzy said...

There will never be another Lucy!!!
Think I burned some calories watching that!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I needed a great laugh this afternoon and you've given me one!! :)
Loved the little clip!! We all love Lucy.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Sue said...

Janette,
You are just to funny, I did need this laugh tonight, and you are so right I need to make my list too....now, let me see where did I put the pen and paper? lol.
Loved the cartoon!
BTW what would I have given to of been a fly on the wall while you were exercising, your escape sounds like some of mine. lol
Wishing you and your family, a most blessed Thanksgiving, and I know you are going to enjoy your mother-in-law there with you.
Much love, Sue

Cascia Talbert said...

That Lucy clip was funny! I do understand where you are coming from. Thanks for sharing the funny clip!

Anonymous said...

Janette,

As usual, I am the last to reply, ugh! Sorry about that. :(

Anyway, your exercise story was entertaining to read. It also made me thankful that I started to exercise in my late 30's, because if I had started now, I think it would be much more difficult to get into the groove of things. This also means that I can't stop now, or I will "loose it," ha! :)

I also think you taught us a valuable lesson about USING what we have before we do "loose it," and it's too late. I can think of some areas in my life right now where I am "loosing it," and it's not a pretty sight, nope!

Lastly, I didn't know that laughing can make you loose some calories. This is great news to know! :)

Blessings,

-Lady Rose

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