On Exercise ...

So, the other day I shared three of my new year's resolutions. I actually, however, have five of them. The other two are: 1) to lose 52 pounds, and 2) to exercise 3 times (at least) per week.

The former, given my 46 pound loss since August, should be a fait accompli. The latter, I have not yet begun. But I don't consider this a failure. I am still very resolved ... to begin soon. Until then I thought I'd share this poem I wrote some years ago about the subject.

Today I Started Exercising

(Feel the Burn)

Today I started exercising,

And, I'll tell you, it feels great.

First, I exercised willpower

As I pushed away my plate.

Then, I exercised my eyes

As I watched the morning news.

Next, I exercised patience

When the dog chewed up my shoes.

I exercised freedom of speech

When, in haste, I stubbed my toe.

Yeah, my lungs got quite a work out

After that ill-fated blow.

I stretched my creativity

Working out these humble rhymes.

Yes, I really felt the burn

Searching rhyme.com online.

Then, I exercised my neck

When, in prayer, I bowed my head

And spent some time talking to God,

Before I napped, upon my bed.

This gave my brain a real work out:

A crossword and some Scrabble.

A triple word score victory

Was mine for "psychobabble."

I'm sure all my neurotransmitters

Were on overdrive.

I sensed synapses strengthening,

Who needs aerobicize?!

This exercising isn't bad,

Yes, this fact I can avow.

Hey … I'm working out my fingers

As I type this poem just now!

Yeah, I've been training all day long,

My body's feeling quite abused.

I think I'll exercise some zzzzz's

Right now and take another snooze.

Copyright © by Jennifer Welsh