I got to do a new exercise workout Saturday. It's great for the whole body, but especially for the back. When I woke up Sunday, I was sore all over, and my lower back was aching. That's how I knew how extremely effective the new total body workout called "Joshua" was.
The moves are simple but repetitive. All it consists of is taking a 1-year-old toddler and picking him up and putting him down several hundred times. For added conditioning, you can carry him around on one hip (that's an almost 57-year-old hip, thank you very much), while keeping your head turned in that direction to look at him. In addition, you put your body through the paces of the special exercise called "Watch the toddler drop his [insert item here] from the high chair onto the floor and then pick it up for him so he can do it again." The next move is chasing after him as he crawls around at the speed of light. No, honey, that's the dog's water bowl. That's the ash can for the wood stove. Ewww, that's the dog's squeaky ball, wet and yucky. Don't touch! Thanks for finding those dirty places on the floor; I'm sure your parents will love us.
Oh, and I don't want to forget the ultimate back exercise - bending over, taking his little hands in yours, and helping him "walk." That's a really good one. I can tell I am 8 years younger than Ed, because Ed's back hurt after one or two rounds of this exercise, whereas mine didn't hurt until the next morning.
Of course, I have a special move for this workout that involves lying down on the floor, bending my knees, putting Joshua on my shins, and raising my feet up and down, up and down while holding his hands. I was so proud that I am still in shape enough to do this - and even prouder that at the end, I could get up from the floor at all.
Those of you who have baby-sat a toddler or, bless your little soul, are raising one or more, you know what I mean. If you're a grandparent involved in the above fitness regimen, you really know what I mean. In that case, it's the Senior Olympics.
Of course, it goes without saying that it is all worth it. Every second of it! And truly, as soon as can be arranged, we want him back! Did I say back? Ouch!.....you wouldn't happen to have a couple of aspirin on you, would you?