feel the burn

In a recent phone conversation with a friend, I stupidly let the braggart in me come out. We were talking about exercising. Somehow (who really knows how this happens) I heard the words, "Oh yeah?? Well, next time you see me I'll have a totally flat stomach" come out of my mouth.

After hanging up the phone and giving myself a mental head slap, I looked around for motivation for exercising. Not seeing the magic fat burning, ab sculpting, butt lifting, spiritually uplifting donut anywhere, I strapped on my sneakers and went for a run.

My head clear and my pulse pumping, I came back to the house inspired to do some ab exercises. I have an exercise ball, so I looked up some ideas on the web for use of the ball.

I found a few links, watched the little demonstration videos and read the description of the moves.

See above photo.

Easy enough, right?

What they neglect to tell you is that you actually need a modicum of skill and or coordination to complete this exercise.

You assume a push up pose, hands on floor, stomach off the ground. You place your feet on top of the ball, then roll your feet towards you, raising your hips in the air. Repeat.

Easy enough, right?

Problem. You can't actually get both feet on the ball and maintain that push up position to begin with without falling over.

After several thousand attempts, I did manage to attain and maintain the push up position with both feet on the ball. I should have been happy with that accomplishent and called it a day. But, noooooooo.

I slowly contracted my stomach muscles, rolling the ball towards me, raising my hips in the air...thus transferring most of my body weight to my unsuspecting hands resting on the worn carpet.



How do you explain rug burns on your chin?

ps - I will have a flat stomach...