Sunday, January 28, 2007

my latest exercise fad

If you are anything like me, you go through exercise phases. I used to walk, then I tried jogging & hated it, then I went back to walking, and then I joined Curves. I stayed at Curves for about a year & some change, until I decided to quit a couple of weeks ago. I loved working out there, and I loved the exercise routine, but I just got to that point again when I needed a change. So I decided to start walking again. But I didn't want to just walk - I wanted something to do to tone my muscles as well. Specifically, my midsection. Yes, that dreaded area of the body that all women obsess over. I've been through the back-and-forth relationship with crunches, and I really didn't want to go back there. So I decided to do something I'd though about for a few months now.

At the first Curves where I worked out, they had a station in the middle of the circuit that was optional. It was right in the middle, where everyone in the gym would be watching you if you decided to do it. It was...The Hoop. Erica knows what I'm talking about because she was there, too. It's a weighted hula hoop used for exercise. Let me tell you - it is one mean, rainbow-colored, tummy slimming machine. I did The Hoop for about a minute the first time I tried it, and I definitely felt it the next day. Ladies at that Curves testified to the effectiveness of The Hoop. So a few months ago, I entertained the idea of purchasing a hoop. I called our local Sports Authority to see if they sold any exercise hoops. Apparently they do not, as the lady I spoke with had no clue what I was talking about. So I called the Curves where I first discovered the hoop, and she directed me to the website where they can be purchased. Well, guess what? They are only $29.99! And shipping and handling is included! What a deal! Of course Baron was skeptical that this was a passing fad that I would get over. So I didn't purchase the hoop at that time. However, now that I have quit Curves and I am still convinced that this hoop will be the eliminator of my midsection flab, I convinced Baron to let me order one. I did the hoop today for 3 minutes straight. I know that doesn't sound like much, but I like to equate it to about a million crunches because it works your belly so much. Plus they say on the website not to use it for more than 3 minutes per day the first week.

So...say goodbye to my belly jelly!! Here comes the Acu-Hoop!!

8 comments:

  1. Are you doing this for Baron or Hugh? Are those various colored sections different weights? If you put more weight on one side, will you get stronger on one side of your midsection? Did you know that after you hula-hoop with it for 3 minutes, you can use it to jump rope? Really. But never do it alone because if you don't clear the back of your head, you could knock yourself out. The good news is, if you are unconcious long enough, you will miss a meal and loose weight.

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  2. I've lost the skill of hula-hooping. Avery has one (it's not a fansy smanshy one like yours), but I can't seem to get it to work. I think it's too small around; at least that's what I'm telling myself.

    You'll have to fill us in on results!

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  3. Hooray for the hoop! I think we should all take a turn with it at small group so we can work off all of Ashley's goodies...

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  4. LOL...I'll just make everyone try out the hoop if they want a cookie. :-)

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  5. I'm gonna have to pass on the hoop. I tried it and looked like a total idiot. Hula hooping is not fer me :)

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  6. Thanks for educating me on a new exercise craze that I had not heard about. By the way, glad you aren't at Curves anymore. As a physical therapist, I can tell you that they send us just about as many patients as doctors do. Lots of folks getting injured at those places...

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  7. Just thought I would remind you it is FEBRUARY. Time to update. Hey, you can write about what a funny word February is.

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