Jumping Rope...for kids and for ME!

When I was little, all you had to do was walk for a couple of blocks and you would come across a group of girls jumping Double Dutch.  And if you couldn't jump - well you know you were a TURNER!  Am I right?  I mean we had songs and games that we played IN the rope.  And not only did we jump until we messed up, but we took 3 turns each!  Not a family gathering or BBQ went by without somebody bringing a rope, either!  Ok...so it was a clothes line, but hey that was the best kind, right?!  Nowadays, I can drive for miles and not see a single rope outside...and we wonder why our kids are overweight? 

I remember we had a BBQ at my Uncle's house and I brought a rope for my little cousins to jump with (they were around 7 or 8 at the time) and NOBODY knew how to jump OR turn for double dutch and one of them didn't even know how to do single jump rope.  I was appalled!  Now I realize DD may be cultural - not everyone grows up doing it, but SINGLE jump rope?!  Then I started thinking about it and none of the cousins younger than me know how to jump DD - not a single one.  Not surprisingly, most are struggling with weight issues now (from age 12 - 20).  Now it isn't all about jumping rope, it is about the lack of outside activity period...but still, it does make you think right?

Anyways, I have been incorporating jumping rope into my workouts.  Walking at the park and stopping for 100 jump intervals - increases the calorie burn from just a regular walk.  I have jumped 500 jumps straight (with water breaks), 100x100 jumping jacks and rope jumps alternating until a total of 500 each were reached.  I really have been enjoying it, I feel its a great way to build endurance and OH BOY my calves have been singing.  I am trying to go 30 days straight jumping rope in some form. 

I don't remember it being this hard 20 years ago...lol.  I wish I had some DD partners now, I find that such a fun activity!

Personal Challenge & Family Successes

This week I am challenging myself to consume 64 oz of water per day.  My "normal" previous goal (which I've met) was to consume at least 32 oz, but ideally 48 oz.  I drank 64 oz yesterday and felt much less dehydrated than I normally do, even with the 32 or 48 oz.  Plus I am really  noticing my skin clearing up!  YAY!

About my family - as I've noted in the "about me" section, we have a fat gene.  To be honest....I don't know if we are genetically predisposed to being overweight or if we just have a family legacy of the women being overweight, but in any event, my family (particularly the women) struggle with weight issues.  However, within the last 6-8 months, we have had so much success as a FAMILY with weight loss!!!

• Cousin #1 - male, 26 years old. thin during childhood and early adulthood, began gaining weight after college, marriage and 3 kids.  Lost approximately 30 lbs to get into shape.  Motivation:  admission into the armed forces.  Method:  drinking more water, working out 5x per week, and simply "watching what he eats"
• Cousin #2 - female, 32 years old.  3 children.  Thin until pregnancies...gained at least 100 lbs after all 3 kids.  Going through an very painful divorce...depression jumpstarted weight loss.  However, she then began working out and watching what she ate.  Weight lost:  unknown, but she is looking really good!
• Uncle R:  overweight as a child & adult.  Recent health problems:  COPD (severe) & rheumatoid arthritis.  Began the Fat Smash Diet with me.  Is doing extremely well despite being unable to exercise (recommendation of his doctor was to ONLY walk and very low intensity due to blood clot complications...however his arthritis prevents him from being able to do so).  He has never been able to successfully lose a significant amount of weight.  Weight lost:  about 15-20 lbs.
• Cousin #3 - female 36, single, no kids.  Struggled with weight problems since childhood.  Got progressively worse as an adult.  Has had coronary blockage, referred chest pain (similar to what happens during a heart attack) and was scheduled for gastric bypass/banding surgery.  We spoke - she was going to try to lose it on her own.  She has lost 25 lbs and decided to cancel the surgery!!!!!  Working out regularly, watching what she eats, being patient...
• Brother:  31 years old, single, no kids.  Never really had a weight problem, maybe just a few extra pounds to lose at certain points in life.  VERY skinny as a child/teen.  Went through a bad breakup, depressed and lost 7 lbs without trying.  Decided to keep going...has lost 1 lbs total which was his goal.  Methods:  cut out all "extra" sugar from his diet, stopped eating out, drank nothing but water.
• Father:  thin as a teen/young adult.  Gained weight after having kids and kept going.  Chronical yo-yo dieter.  Decided to do exactly what my brother did.  Has lost a little weight so far.  I actually doubt that he even plans to keep it off...but he's happy with being able to lose it.
• Grandmother:  79, lives with Uncle, so she's been losing by default!  LOL.  She's lost 7 lbs so far!  She also works the front desk at our local community fitness center/gym so she rides the recumbent bike a few times per week.  Sidenote:  my granny is a huge source of inspiration for me.  She still WORKS, DRIVES, and lives on her own!  (my uncle is staying with her, not the other way around)
• I have a few more, but you get the picture.  We are also doing a family weight challenge (which I initiated) from Feb 1st to June 1st.  We teamed up and reported our combined weights.  The team that loses a) the most amount of pounds and b) the highest percentage of weight loss will win prize money.  My uncle and I are on a team together....I have high hopes we will win! 

I am so ecstatic about all of this.  There are a few people that haven't jumped on the bandwagon, but I am SO HAPPY that we are changing our family legacy!!!  I think we should be featured on Oprah!  LOL.

So...yesterday I did indeed go for a walk in the park and I took my jump rope with me.  Walked for a bit, did 75 jumps.  By the 2nd lap around the park, I was up to 100 jumps per break.  And I felt so extremely accomplished.  I will do the same today...already changed out of my church clothes.  Let me just say that I am loving the fact that I am actually enjoying my workouts!!!

Today was GORGEOUS!

I hadn't planned on blogging today, but I had an awesome day - so I thought I'd share.  It was sunny all day and in the mid to upper 60's.  I came in & changed into my workout clothes and just stood out on my balcony and felt the sunshine.  No way could I take myself into the gym.  Absolutely no way!  Last week (I was wearing workout clothes and had just come from the gym) I sauntered into a clothing boutique to browse and got into friendly conversation with one of the sales women.  She ended up telling me about a beautiful, well kept and safe park only about 1-2 miles from the store (which would be about 2-3 miles from my apartment).  I was really excited because today was the perfect day to go take a look!  It is GORGEOUS!  Well populated but not crowded and has an awesome walking trail.  Part of it is by a stream!  When I got to the part by the stream - I actually slowed and stared!  I wished I had my camera so I could show you how pretty this place is!  I walked for about 35 minutes, then did step ups (using the bleachers), tricep dips, squats and lunges.  Altogether I worked out for about 45-50 minutes and I was so UN bored!  I will definitely be revisiting that park - SOON if weather permits. Another reason to look forward to warm weather!