THIN LIZZIE!

I started this week with some changes.  Samantha has been on a self imposed fitness regime and she has seen some amazing results.  Diet and exercise have helped her lose about two and a half dress sizes.  She refused to weigh herself before starting and has decided that the fit of her clothes are more of an encouragement than the scales.  I am very proud of her.  Have I joined in the dedicated 'hard-core' workout that she has set herself?  Perleese!  A mild option of 'keep fit' is enough for me!  However, because of her regime, I have changed mine!  It reminded me of the early days of 'morning television' in the UK.  Instead of listening to the radio, millions of people turned on the 'box' and watched the news.  That was not all that was new.  On each of the two channels participating, there was a 'fitness instructor'. On the one side, there was the Green Goddess, Diana Moran, and on the other there was 'Lizzie'.  I cannot remember 'Lizzie's' last name, although I am sure 'google' would oblige, but I do remember her face, and voice!  For some reason, in the short time that I watched morning television, I did watch the channel upon which the Green Goddess performed, but turned to the one on which 'Lizzie' appeared.  I tried.  I really did try.  However, with two small children, a house to keep clean and tidy, washing, gardening, and a mountain of other things that go along with being 'just' a housewife and mum, it was not easy.  In fact, the main objection I had was listening to 'Lizzie'.  Her enthusiasm became like 'fingernails down a blackboard; for me, and the more enthusiastic she got, the higher pitch was heard in my head, and off went the television.  I'm sorry Lizzie!  I am sure you inspired millions!  However, after a sleepless night with teething, croup and other incidents, the last thing I wanted was an enthusiastic perfectionist!  After all, I would be speaking to my mother later in the day!  (Sorry mum!)  However, I digress!

Monday morning was the day before I started to 'join in'.  Samantha's buddies in her office had finished their twenty one day challenge, but had decided to pick one of the exercises, at random, each day and at fifteen minute intervals, they do what they do.  Dana and I decided we would join in, at least with some.  I will not do 'push ups', as I have too much respect for my wrists!  I will not do 'jumping jacks' as it requires them going outside, so as not to cause distress to those downstairs, and it is too hot for me, especially in my 'business attire'.  

After dropping the dogs at the office, my daughter headed to my house.  Grant showed up shortly after and they headed down to the pool to start the day.  The idea was to finish with a swim.  Swimming first thing in the morning is something which I had thought about, but never done.  After hearing words like, 'amazing', and 'awesome', and the less demonstrative 'refreshing', I thought about joining them the next day.  Not for the workout, of course, but for the swim!

The 'exercise' for the day was 'lunges'.  "I can do those!  I used to do those everyday when I was fencing", I cried.  Blake, our part timer, looked at me with a degree of disbelief.  "You mean actual fencing?" he said, with a smirk on his face.  "Yes, actual fencing.  With a foil!  Not fencing with a drill, wood and nails!"  The smirk vanished, but the disbelief still hovered.  I told him how I was late for my PE class, and as I came in, my friend Lynda said, "Put your hand up!"  Many times Lynda told me "Put your hand up" and I never questioned, but did.  It always worked out for the good. It got us out of 'regular' games, and into something more fun, like playing squash, or in this case, fencing.  In order to be able to fence with any degree of success, it was imperative that we exercised daily, so that we were able to hop, skip and lunge with perfection!  However, I digress!  It was established that I was indeed a 'fencer'!  Dana and I stood in the corridor and awaited the 'three, two one'!  As I was lunging, and listened to the one keeping count, all I could hear was Lizzie.  "Come on, lets get those legs bending!"  Where that came from, who knows, but her face was in front of mine!  

Before the onset of the five rounds, with fifteen minute breaks, I had called the post office to ask about a mailing receipt that had not been returned.  As usual, the wait for an operator would be 'more than one hour', according to the recording, and the offer of a 'call back' was accepted.  Feeling like I had 'accomplished' something, I went back to my desk and waited for the call.  

"Hello", came the voice that introduced itself with a name.  "How can I help today".  I explained my predicament.  After going through the motions, which is as burdensome as listening to Lizzie (sorry Lizzie) I awaited a response.  "What is your address?" asked the helpful chap.  "No, that doesn't exist.  Are you sure?"  I repeated the address from where the article was sent, to wit, mine, and again was told that it did not exist.  "No that's not right" said Mr. Helpful.  "How can you be sure it is the right address?" he said, not meaning to sound condescending, but perhaps trying to find the right words.  I found the right words.  "Because I am here, sitting at a desk, in my office, at that address".  Silence was followed by, "Are you sure?"  Perhaps I would have got more of an idea how to answer if I had followed the Green Goddess!  How can you respond to that?  Eventually, he found me, which was more of a 'Eureka' moment for him, as I knew where I was!  He said he would contact the appropriate offices and they would respond.  Was there anything else?  I resisted!  

I went for my swim at lunchtime, as was the norm, but was soon to be not, and the heat had started to rise.  However, it was hotter for a couple who were already at the pool.  Young, and apparently in the early stages of dating, they were having issues.  Dirty laundry I was always told was something that should not be washed in public, It appears these two lads did not have the same lessons as did I!  Their conversation, and ensuing arguments, (and I do not feel I am breaking any confidences, as it was very public,) was based around a trip they had to Louisiana, which ended up in Mississippi.  As they finished each round, one started up again with "When we went to Louisiana and drove into Mississippi!".  I swam around this conversation, and on the fifth round, they stalled.  The one started, "When we went to Louisiana, and drove into....um....
um...".  It took all my strength not to shout out, "Mississippi!"  I wished Lizzie was here!  She would have been able to encourage them!  I did wonder at one point, whether they were reading lines for a play.  I wondered whether I was an intended audience.  One finally decided they needed a break, a short time apart.  What would Lizzie say?  From the safety of the studio, behind a screen where they could see her, but she could not be touched, she could have told them.  "Come on!  Pick up those legs and walk!  With the problems you have in these early stages, you ain't gonna make it long term!"  Actually, Lizzie spoke too nicely to use words like 'ain't' and 'gonna', and grammar would have dictated a more eloquent sentence, but I was sure they would have sat up and listened.  Much as I had an attitude toward's Lizzie's voice, she definitely managed to get you to listen!  I was still swimming when one stormed off.  The other sat for a while, smiled and wished me a 'good rest of the day', and then walked out quite calmly.  

Back at work, I contemplated changing my regime!  Maybe a swim first thing in the morning would be a better option, It would be more comfortable than swimming in the midday heat, as well as taking a break, no matter how well earned, in the middle of the day.  I had sent an email to the client I have mentioned before, with a rather silly poem, and she had responded with a 'smiley face'.  I went home and swam for the second time, but without the drama!  

Tuesday was predicted to be a record breaking hot day.  Triple digits and beyond!  I made some pastry, and waited for my visitors.  They arrived a little before seven, and although my kitchen looked like the middle of a baking show, where they only have thirty minutes left, and every receptacle, utensil, gadget, pot and pan are strewn about all over the work surface, which is also covered in whatever ingredients have been used, I went for a swim!  Why I had not tried this before was beyond me.  The outside temperature was quite cool, but the water felt so much warmer.  It was a great start to the day.  

Lizzie would have been very proud of me later in the day.  The 'exercise' was bicycle kicks.  Yes, we had to lay down, with out legs in the air, and pretend we were riding a bicycle!  Yes, I was wearing a dress and high heeled shoes.  The three were on their mats in their room.  Dana and I were in the corridor.   As we laid down, and waited for the 'three, two, one', I started to laugh.  What if a delivery man came in?  What if one of our clients came in? They would not see the three, but Dana and I on the floor, with our legs kicking into the air.  I am sure the explanation would be good enough, but the embarrassment would probably continue for quite a while.  

Taking part in the outdoor exercises were not an option.  My swimming would have to be enough.  The rest of the week was similar to the first.  I sent a 'today in history' email to my client, and had received an email from her colleague, telling me that she gets a copy of the emails.  Wondering if she was going to suggest that it was inappropriate, as this was a 'work' email, I read on.  Apparently, she reads the blurb and really enjoys it.  Apparently, they wait for my email.  The pressure was now on!

We did 'planking' on Friday.  I had never heard of 'planking', a couple of weeks ago, but Steph had sent me a picture of the boys, where Jamie was bouncing, and Ollie appeared to be laying on the floor.  When I commented that Ollie had the right idea, just sleeping, she said, "No, he is planking".  When I looked closer, I saw he was holding himself up on his forearms, and his back was sloped straight.  "Um", was my reply when Samantha asked if I wanted to join in.  However, Dana seemed to be quite excited at the prospect!  

I don't know whether Lizzie 'planked', but I probably would have been able to join in, as there is no way she could have talked her way through that exercise, although.....!  I managed five, at a minute a time!  I don't know whether I would do it again!  

Swimming early in the mornings was great.  Swimming in the late  afternoon was wonderful.  When I told Richard that I was not 'achey' on Saturday, he told me that I was quite good for 'an old girl'.  

On Sunday morning, I decided to go for an early morning swim before breakfast.  It was quiet, with the only sound being the birds and the odd insect.  I did not see anyone.  There was no early morning traffic.  It was perfect.  

Lizzie, apparently, is in her seventies, and probably still able to 'out kick' anything I could do!  I haven't the heart to play the video that depicted her 'come back', as I do not want to turn her to silent.  She deserves to be heard!  However, she has, in her own way, inspired me this week!

The challenges next week have yet to be set, but I am sure I will continue with the early morning swim.  As for Lizzie, I wish her well, and hope she is still fighting fit.  Perhaps she will has made a comeback, but that will be something for someone else to make ...... another story!