Monday, January 19, 2009

Undeserving of a title

Feel free to skip over this post in its entirety.

You all caught me a little completely off guard with your comments about my arms a couple posts back.
And while I really wanted to just act like maybe I didn’t read all of the comments, you and I both know the exact opposite to be true. I always read your comments.

Talking about myself, particularly in the complimentary form, is for the most part completely out of my comfort zone. But I realize that I should acknowledge and reply to your comments, even though my first choice was to just move on and never mention it.
You can thank my sis, Sal Gal, for somewhat forcefully bringing to my attention that I did indeed need to respond and answer the questions posed. Seriously sometimes she’s like a splinter in my finger I tell ya.

There’s not much, if anything, that I’d take back on my blog, but if I could do it all over again, I’d probably take back that picture. I, in no way, shape, or form, thought that a post about Kate’s towel would lead to a discussion on my arms.

Like I said, I get all nervous when attention is brought to me, so I think you should know that right now, as I’m typing, my face feels hot and I may be developing a nervous rash on my neck.

I know that I always hate reading in magazines when celebrities try to say that they eat Whoppers for lunch three times a week, or that they never work out. And I’m going to ignore my fear of somehow coming across that way to you all. I am not however, in any position to give expert fitness advice, but I’ll just share with you what I do, or perhaps I should say ‘don’t do’.

As you know, I love to run. I’ve been running on a consistent basis for about 10-11 years. I think that it may contribute a little but I’m also built like my dad, which I used to not like because it did not come in handy while wearing a cheerleading skirt that was short to begin with, but on a 5’8 frame looked even shorter. And that did not go well with the fact that if I did not have a tan and my legs got the least bit cold, they turned completely purple. I wish I were kidding. I have since learned to embrace my height…and some much needed bronzer on occasion!

I’ve done free weights in the past but do not really like them, never did it consistently and definitely do not do them now. If I do anything other than running, it’s P90X. I mostly just do the cardio ones,which is more Kenpo (punching/kicking type moves). And I can’t even say that I do that on a regular basis anymore, it’s much more sporadic.

Here’s what I think:

I think I have ‘mom arms’ from repeatedly picking up Kate. She weighs about 22-23 pounds and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t pick her up with almost every whimper. Bad parenting maybe, but it’s instinct.

So in all actuality, my workout schedule goes as follows:
-Pick Kate up
-Put Kate down
-Pick Kate up
-Put Kate down
-Repeat thousands of times throughout the day

Just while typing this post I’ve picked her up and down several times.

I wish I were the type that could come up with an awesome workout routine to share with everyone but I am so far from that.

This post turned out to be so much longer than I ever wanted. But I did not want you all to think your comments went unread. They were really sweet and after I got all of my nervous laughter out, they even made me grin a little.


And since we’re talking health and because I don’t want this post to be at the top of my blog for long, I’m about to post my mother-in-law’s macaroni and cheese recipe! Now that is one post you do NOT have permission to skip over! It’ll make you mad at yourself for ever thinking that your ‘go-to’ mac-n-cheese recipe was the junk!





23 comments:

koopermom said...

I agree with you on the mommy arms. The rest of my may be a little squishy - but my arms? They are awesome. 40 pound toddlers who love their mommy will do that!
Embrace the compliments!

Summer said...

I suppose I'll still read your blog even though you get to be skinny without work. ;-)

I'm on the third week of P90X and Im loving it. Although the yoga one is waaaay too long. way.

Blue-Eyed Bride said...

one of my best friends has always had amazing arms. she didn't do anything special. it was the way she's built, so any form of exercise made them SO much better. you're a lucky lady!!! :)

Anonymous said...

You're so sweet and funny!

I totally know what you mean about "mom" arms. While I'm not a mom yet, I am a nanny. My baby is only 8 months old, but he weighs over 20 lbs! The first few days I kept him, my arms were so sore! They still definitely don't look like yours though. You are very blessed!!

So proud of you for posting!

Unknown said...

You're just as humble as you are gorgeous...I think it feeds your sould to admit and say out loud (on occasion) that you agree with compliments. You derserve them!

PS my legs and arms get purple when I get cold too, I HATE IT!!!

Sassytimes said...

I saw your arms in the last post and thought "wow, she has "mom" arms". My daughter is 6 months and weighs almost 20 pounds and I have the same workout routine. It really is a workout!!

Gwen said...

You are adorable!!! And your arms do look fabulous!!!

I definitely had "mom arms" when Ellie was little but now not so much. They flap like crazy with just the gentlest breeze. There is a lot to be said for carrying around a 20 pound baby in a 10 pound carseat. Guess I need to get myself a watermelon and a bag of sugar next trip to the grocery store.

Puttin' On The GRITS said...

You're one hot momma! Just accept it alreadyyyyy!

Amanda-The Family News! said...

Girlfriend - killer arms for sure!!! And I guess i am going to have to try this P90X...my hubby has been doing it for 3 weeks now - I suppose I should at least give it a whirl! Of course I do currently have the mommy workout going on - a 2 year old on one side and a 1 year old (almost) on the other side!!!!

Jon and Steph said...

I agree with everyone about your arms, you look great! I totally know what you mean by mom arms. I am not a mom but when I used to hold my niece, my arms would almost fall off! That has to be the best workout!

Mrs. Classic said...

Don't be shy! You look great!!
Can we see pictures of Kate's room? It look so cute and just gave me a great idea for a baby room. I may post it today! Where did you get the Monogram?

Girl Meets Beau said...

Man I was really hoping that you would have some amazing work out routines for us! I really do believe its so much more about genetics than actually working your muscles out. You are so lucky! Do you think if I had a toddler running around that my arms might look like that too?? ;)

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

Your too funny! I have heard that about having kids. You will become stronger because you pick them up so much!

The Fabulous Life of a Southern Belle said...

P90X works! It kicks your booty though. I'm doing Ab Ripper X tonight. Wish me luck, I'll be sore tomorrow.

morewineplease said...

Bless your heart... you are too funny... and you do have fabulous arms!

Q, La, and Gooner said...

Ha! Thanks for sharing that it is all genetics and we are hopeless. J/K! I love running too and today I registered for a baby jogging stroller! Next year, Cherry Blossom 10 Miler to "run off" my baby weight. I've been running for about um, 5 years now and I still don't look like you....

Kristy said...

Oh SHUT UP! You are 5'8?? I knew you were tall but I am only 5'2... so you are like a supermodel! =)
That is funny that you get embarassed about that kind of stuff- why? You are so pretty!!

~Rachel~ said...

I would love to see some pics of Kate's whole room. It looks SO cute in those pics below. I love readin' your blog!

Lindsay said...

You sound so much like me! I think I found my twin (not really) You are much prettier and fit than me but I have a lot of people say I'm pretty or skinny or whatever and I just do not feel that way at all. I am so unhappy with so many things and I just can't comprehend how people can think that of me. A lot of people think I just say that to get attention but really I don't. I hate attention. I hate being center of attention. So anyhow now that I wrote a book....you really do have nice arms however you got them. I have two small kids 34lbs and 29lbs that I lift a lot and my arms are flabby as can be so that is not working for me. I did just start running and working out though so maybe I can tone them up.

I would like to see pics of Kate's room too and your house it looks so cute in your pictures! :)

Trina said...

I've got two kids and no "mom arms". What's the deal? I am not that muscular anyway, but I was able to get good definition when working with free weights. But I hated that so it didn't last long. LOL If I can't be muscular, I'll settle for skinny arms I guess.

Girl, you got a rockin' body. Be proud of it, but in a good way. ;)

Les said...

You are so pretty... I wouldn't have guessed you would be embarassed about your arms. Rock on sister! Be proud of your hot arms!

d.a.r. said...

Hmmm hopefully having a kiddo some day makes my arms look that fabulous. Mine are more akin to toothpicks with freckles right now!!

3 Peanuts said...

I am brand new to your blog but those are some killer arms! I am very envious. I have a 29 lb daughter named Kate and while I am thin...I do NOT have arms like that! You go girl!!!!!