OK, let’s just get this out of the way right now….I’m a bad blogger. Not bad in the true sense of the word, more like inconsistent. Life happens, okay? 
I suppose my silence is a result of nothing “exciting” happening. I haven’t really had much to say, or any events to “report”. As usual, I am extremely busy, both personally and professionally.
In the last 6 days something crazy has happened. I mean it’s just insane. Almost unbelievable, really. In the words of Inigo Montoya, “Let me ‘splain”. Okay,
“Let me sum up”.
Like most women on the planet, in my mid to late 40′s I found myself thrown into menopause. Along with the hot flashes and mood swings came the weight gain. For most of my adult life, I have weighed right around 98 pounds. I ate what I wanted when I wanted. I never had to go out of my way to exercise or diet. My stomach was flat and my thighs were firm. Yes, I have been one of the fortunate ones to inherit great genes.
When I entered “Pre-menopause” around the time I turned 43, the weight gain began. By the time it ran its course with me, I had gained 14 pounds. You may be thinking, “Gee, Steph, you’re complaining about weighing 112 pounds, really?”. To put it into perspective, I stand barefoot at 4’11″ tall. 14 pounds to me is 25 to a taller woman! I had to do something.
It’s really not the weight for me, it’s the fat. It’s the way my body looks and the way it makes me feel – both physically and emotionally. It’s realizing not only do your favorite jeans no longer fit, but neither does the rest of your wardrobe! Most of all, it’s the lack of energy. I began walking every evening. Within 2 weeks my “love handles” began to disappear! You can probably guess what happened next. I skipped a day because it rained. Another because I had to work over. Another because my daughter had a track meet. The next thing you know I was out of the “habit” of walking. Hello “love handles”!
My cancer diagnosis in 2009 just made matters worse. The cancerous lesions on my bones cause great pain. I also have severe arthritis along with a form of osteoporosis. I am given steroids to help the chemo drugs work better. Great. Steroids cause weight gain and bloating. The pain medication I take has wonderful side effects also! Sleepiness, lack of energy, and constipation. Since being diagnosed, I gained another 10 pounds. That’s a total of 24 pounds, which is about 45 to a woman of taller stature. I already had no energy, now I am officially an Oompa Loompa!
When my business partner and best friend, Deb Lane and I first heard about 7 Minute Workout from our good friend Joel Therien, we were immediately
excited! A fitness program we could do from the comfort of home in just 7 minutes a day, 3 days a week? Count us in!
While I was excited, I was also a little skeptical, personally. Given my current health issues, would I be able to do this? I would soon find out…
The plan is very simple. You log in to your personal website where Joel and his partner Chris Reid have everything laid out and explained very simply.
Everything can be personalized to your specific needs, including the workouts. There is a members forum where you can ask questions and exchange stories
and ideas with other members. There is even a nutritional area to help you learn how, what, and when to eat to help burn fat, calories, and to “feed”
your muscles. Joel and Chris have made videos demonstrating each workout that are simple and easy to follow. Then there is the live training, held several
times a week in an online conference room!
Now comes the real test – can I physically do this? I navigate to the exercise videos and choose “Beginner, Non-Equipment”. I view the first video, which is about 2 minutes long. I do the exercise, no problem! Now I’m excited! On to video 2, again about 2 minutes long. This one is a little more challenging - pushups! No way…so I decide to do “girl pushups” on my knees. This I can do! Videos 3 and 4, short and explained well. I completed the first day’s workout with ease, and man do I feel good! Mostly emotionally – I am proud of myself not only for being able to do this physically, but also for taking ACTION!
Two days later I log in, watch the videos, and complete my second workout. I am starting to feel better already! I have a strange amount of energy I thought
would never return. I am learning about the other things my body requires to reach my goal of feeling better, like drinking water and consuming the proper
amout of fiber. After completing one set of workouts in 10 days, not only am I energized but I am feeling stronger and better than I have in several years.
I seem to have more stamina, and my biceps are getting toned! Oh yes, I have lost 4 pounds – that’s a bonus! This is strictly from the exercise along with
the water & fiber intake. I haven’t even started on the nutritional aspects!
The bottom line is, this is the easiest and most simple “exercise” program I have ever experienced. I do this at my own pace from the comfort of my home for 7 minutes every other day. No packing a bag and driving to the gym. No walking around the block, or driving to the mall to walk in the winter. No
ordering special food. I feel better than I have in years, and my family has noticed the difference not only physically, but in my attitude. I am gradually becoming the happy person I used to be! My husband is so impressed, he has decided to start working out with me!
If you have any interest in feeling better I urge you to take a look at 7 Minute Workout. Seriously, if I can do this, anyone can!
