Butt cheeks and tip toes.

Anathema13

In high school and college I played multiple sports. My metabolism was high and I could essentially eat everything I wanted since I was burning in some cases 3-5,000+ calories a day between 2-3 hours of swimming and dive practice/meets and then going to soccer practice/games. Sadly, once I hit my post-baccalaureate years my eating habits didn't change much even though my time for sports had dwindled dramatically. Like many things, I couldn't find time and things circled the drain more and more quickly until I put on an extra 80 or so pounds.

I find myself eating much more healthy now and eating only what I need instead of what I want. I find that being hungry every once in a while won't kill me and I actually find it somewhat motivating since I usually get incredibly drowsy after I eat. However, one thing kept standing in my way. I missed working out. I had a gym membership but after 10-hour days and knowing I'd have to study once I got home would wipe me out so mentally that anything physical was beyond my capacity. Then I found a fix:

Butt cheeks and tip toes. I started about two months ago on a rotation for cardiology. The doctor I was precepting for medical school with had a lot of procedures that I would have to stand for. Like anyone that has to stand for long periods of time, I did a lot of shifting from foot to foot. Then I had an epiphany. Why not do calf raises and butt squeezes while I had to stand there? Sure, I wasn't doing anything more than my own weight, but something was better than nothing, right? The first day I did about 50 "reps" of each but I made sure I did them slow and with good form. I wasn't sure it would do anything but the 3rd day I did it I started tacking on 100 reps of each and I started to feel a decent burn. No, it was no replacement for a full workout but it gave me just a little something on those days when I was just too exhausted to get up at 5 a.m. to go to the gym. I've also noticed that doing just those tiny things day to day really start to add up. It's easier to push just a little harder then next day. And just like the drain circles downward, the path back up follows the same additive pathway. I find it easier to eat better and so on.

I thought I'd just pass on my little tidbits about doing just a couple small things when you can't find time or energy to do the big ones. Good luck to you all!

Reka2011

Thank you for that!! Tip toes really do help. I have some family members who only walk on their tip toes and they have very muscular/toned legs and calves.... I need to start on those and especially the butt cheeks!!

sweebeesmom

"butt cheeks and tip toes" I keep repeating that in my head.. hahaha.

InstantSunshine

"Butt cheeks and tip toes" sounds like the first line from that song, "These are a few of my favourite things" - which I'm now singing in my head! It's great advice as well - thanks!

BifDiehl

Funny - I do calf raises while I blow dry my hair and put on my make up every morning. I can tell I'm getting stronger, b/c they sure don't burn like they used to :drinker: