15? Really?

"The magic number is 15."

"Really?"

"Yes, really?"

"I don't believe it can work."

"Yep. Once in the morning. Once in the evening. Oh. And not at all on the weekends."

I wouldn't believe that a simple number like fifteen could make a difference. But I've seen it with my very own eyes.

My husband started January 1st. He decided to begin an exercise regimen that would be easy to accomplish within a busy schedule. So he came up with a simple rotation of exercises that takes a little under five minutes in the morning and five minutes in the afternoon or evening to accomplish.

I've seen the results.

I'm impressed.

The magic number is 15.

He works his abs, biceps, and back. He's not interested in becoming a Mr. Universe. He just wants to get rid of those flabby things that hang around the middle-aged body.

I was a confirmed disbeliever. I've been over-weight most of my life. Like many, I have lost hundreds of pounds on more diets and systems that I can count on two, probably, four hands.

I used to be able to lose weight fairly easy when I was younger. But it always came back. Now I can't even lose the weight to give it a chance to come back.

You know my story. Yours may be the same. I won't go into too many details right now. But I am tired and sore and depressed. My back hurts. My job situation is very difficult. And I'm soon-to-be 58 years old and more than 100 pounds overweight.  I can't live like this anymore.

So I decided to try my husband's Daily 15. As always, he supports me. He will do anything I need. He gathered some light weights for me to use. He planned a simple set of exercises for me to do.

A snow day from school was the perfect time to begin. I started Tuesday, April 9, 2013.

The first day wasn't pretty. My back was really sore. There were tears. More depression and some anger. Even the simplest exercises my husband devised were too hard. He had to re-tool. But I was determined.

These are the promises I made to myself:

            Do the Daily 15 twice a day.

            Don't worry about the scale.

            Don't worry about measurements.

            Don't worry about "dieting." Yet.

            Just do the Daily 15 twice a day.

            Oh, and remember to take a break on the weekends.

That's it. That's where I began. I just want to feel better. And I don't want a big fuss.

I added a daily mantram walk (more about that in later blogs) with my dog for 15 minutes. But that was just a side item. Cardio will be seriously added after this first routine is well established. Good food will follow.

The first three days I did it! I did the Daily 15 without a fuss. I wore my work clothes. I did it before I left for school and when I came home. I was just a tiny bit sore. I didn't believe this could work.

Walking the dog took a back seat because of a snowstorm. One day I walked on the treadmill. The other day I just didn't do it. Excuses. I will do better next week.

On Day Four, today, something magical happened. I woke up without as much back pain. Actually, almost none at all. I just stood up and walked to the bathroom.  Usually I have to hold onto the wall to walk around for a few minutes and then sit in a chair for another five to wait for my back to loosen up.

My regular morning routine went without a hitch. Before I left for work, I did the Daily 15 in my work clothes. As I was walking down the stairs, something else amazing happened. I could use both legs, not just one waiting for the other on a step. Each footstep landed on the step below the other. I haven't done this for ages.

On my way to work I decided to blog about this just to keep me honest.

I will write about my daily adventures with the number 15. Log my daily accomplishments. I will share my Daily 15 and how it evolves. I will talk more about excuses, ailments, and inspiration. Eknath Easwaren. LeoBabatua.  Good food. Cardio. All those things that add up to a healthy lifestyle. I may even put up a before picture, without my face, of course. For now.

I am going to do this.