I dragged my sorry (and pancake-like) arse out of bed at an ungodly hour.
Why?
To go to a gym.
(I know…is there anything more boring than reading about someone working out? You’ll just have to trust that I can make most things entertaining.)
(And? I know, I know…starting to work out at the new year. Part of me wants to yell, “FIGHT THE CLICHE, LORALEE!” at myself, yet part of me also rationalizes that cliches exist for a reason.)
(And, And? I know, I know, I know for sure that my flat heiney exists for a reason; which would be that I consider going out and getting the mail my daily workout.)
(And, And AND? I am still not sure I could I get more trite if I tried.)
My friend, Jill, and I were at a board meeting for the Social Media Club “Tweet Up” we’re having (It’s on January 11th, at Cafe Sabor for all you Cache Valley people! You should come!) and she was like, “Hey! I joined this Cross Fit gym and I think it could be a really good work out for you!”. You all remember Jill, don’t you? This is her.
She is one of the two most together, type A organized people I have ever had grace my life as a friend and she’s pretty much who I want to be when I grow up. I am adult enough to realize that this is about as likely as my childhood dreams of wanting to be Princess Diana coming true. (Which, in hindsight, is probably a really good thing it didn’t work out for me, no?) Isn’t she pretty?! Plus, she has disgustingly white teeth that has had nary a Crest Whitening Strip to help them along.
We are really yin and yang, but it works beautifully and we really like each other, to boot. We’re both just so busy we don’t see each other often, so this seemed like a good way to get some more face time, so I decided to give it a try despite knowing full well that I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON.
It doesn’t help that it is morning AND it is winter.
Do you know how freaking cold it is at 6 am in the morning in Logan, Utah?
Let’s put it this way…IF I had nasal hair IT WOULD HAVE FROZEN AND ALL FALLEN OUT JUST BY BREATHING THE FREAKING AIR THIS MORNING. (For the record, I don’t have nasal hair. No girls do. Excess female nasal hair is just a vast conspiracy driven by the evil media to perpetuate inferior complexes in women!!!) (Damn, DAMN THEM!)
I got lost on my way there. Turns out that 6 am in Logan, Utah, is not only cold as the heart of an ex-boyfriend, but it is dark as all get out as well. So, I arrived a bit late for my workout.
Jill looked so freaking cute: Black workout leggins, cute shoes, cute little shirt and an adorable Nike cap. I looked like I had just been hit by a train and outfitted by good will and wearing shoes that my trainer said would be worse than working out barefoot in.
(I am off to a really stellar start here, no?)
I told him I will have to be at this a month before being able to justify the investment in good workout gear, and he was pretty much adorable about it.My trainer is pretty much just…adorable. I tried to give the moniker “THE PUNISHER” in my head, but really? He’s just too damn adorable for that. So, for now, I am going to refer to him as “Little Joshy”. (Because ALL former National Guard turned personal trainers LIVE TO HAVE A NICKNAME LIKE THAT BESTOWED ON THEM.)(But if you know me, you know that is a compliment.)
So, how did my work out go?
Well…I made it through the warm up and then about half of the work out and then I was done.
Hey, it was a pretty intense warm up and half a work out, people!
The truth of it is this: I have multiple back/neck herniations. Since I lost my work out buddy a couple of years ago, I haven’t worked out steadily. I have had some injury and significant illness in the not-too-distant past and I need to be very careful starting this. I want it to be long term and try to finally get it to stick as a lifestyle. I’m tired of getting so easily injured and feeling like crap and I know my body. I have to start slow or I will overdo and burn out.
So?
Steady and slow wins the race.
And?
The best part?
I have promised myself that after every early-morning work out?
I WILL GET TO EAT THIS:
Do you know what “THIS” is, people?
“THIS” is the GLORIOUS MCDONALD’S OATMEAL I HAVE BEEN DREAMING ABOUT FOR SEVEN LONG, DEPRESSING MONTHS.
I first tried in JUNE when McDonald’s flew me and my family out to their headquarters. I was super, SUPER wary because I am very, VERY picky about my oatmeal and the texture of it and the thought of fast food oatmeal made me kind of want to hurl. But the second it hit my tongue I was in immediate, blissful, irrevocable, oatmeal Nirvana. (It’s true. Kurt Cobain was up in heaven singing gravely and intense grunge tunes about the awesomeness of it. For reals.)
Even people who think McDonald’s is of the devil (which I don’t) can find NOTHING wrong with this amazing and healthy concoction from their fabulous executive chef, ‘Chef Dan”. (Hi, Chef Dan! You’re fabulous! Just in case you didn’t know that already!) It has 2 kinds of raisins, 2 kinds of apples, and sweet, lovely craisins, and just a hint of maple.
I FLIPPING LOVE IT. And it was a perfect thing to get for breakfast on a freezing cold morning. (Even though my windows being FROZEN SHUT proved to be a bit of a challenge at the drive-thru.)
The only thing that even remotely sucks about this oatmeal is when I’m done with it. My tummy is satisfied but my brain and tastebuds KEEP WANTING MORE!
But, hey…at only $1.99 per generous serving and with how healthy it is, I COULD TOTALLY HAVE ANOTHER SERVING IF I REALLY WANTED TO.
I feel good and like I did something fun and positive without an over inflated sense of AMAZING (which burns out quickly) or feeling like I’ve been put through a grinder.
I like it.
And I like the thought of doing it again on Thursday
So?
I am going to keep going back.
If only for the company and the oatmeal.
And, you know…a butt that doesn’t exemplify medieval thought of how the world is shaped.
:)
P.S. I received no, none, nada, zip, zero compensation from McDonald’s or anyone for prattling on and on about their oatmeal. And since, you know, IT’S OATMEAL…it must be pretty damn good for that much prattle to occur. ;)
I don’t like oatmeal and I’m far too lazy to ever go a gym, so I’m terribly glad you’re stepping up and representing humanity for me with these things!
Yes, if you don’t like oatmeal you might not like it (though my husband doesn’t like oatmeal but really enjoys theirs).
I will do the human thing and just eat your serving for you. (I am awesome at sacrificing myself like that for my friends. ;))
You’re on your own for working out. (Hey, I have to draw the line SOMEWHERE!) Heh.
Dang, I totally didn’t know they had good oatmeal. Maybe that’ll get me out earlier in the a.m. for that spinning class I’ve been avoiding like the plague.
IT. IS. AMAZING.
And dude, spinning?
I would die.
I can see four billion ways I could injure myself doing that. And probably break the bicycle at the same time!!
Thanks for the heads up – I saw that pre-new year when I was picking up my gallon o’sweet tea (and I wonder why my ass is so huge). And thought – fast food oatmeal? Blech. I’m a McCann’s steal cut oat girl myself. But I will definitely try it now.
I am so, so, so, SO picky about my oatmeal and I am telling you…tis HEAVEN.
That oatmeal looks like a fruit roll up machine vomited into a bowl.
I am so going to call you “The Oatmeal Troll” from now on, Froyd! ;)
Whaaat? I think it’s pretty!
It IS. Froyd is just bitter. Heh. :D
Yes it’s good that you didn’t get your princess wish – but you do have a stunning Wonder Woman outfit and at least 3 pairs of spectacular boots.
And just for the record, the hearts of ex-girlfriends can be a little chilly too. Just sayin’
Happy “friend + personal trainer + oatmeal = success” New Year Loralee
“And just for the record, the hearts of ex-girlfriends can be a little chilly too. Just sayin’”
Hey, no DOUBT. I’m just not a lesbian. :)
That’s some sexy oatmeal. Canada doesn’t have it yet, but if it comes here I might just try some alongside my Big Mac.
It’s nummmmy. I’ve been waiting for it for forever. I am sad it’s not in Canada. Man, between this and no Thin Mints, y’all really got screwed. (Although, you DO have Hedgehogs, so ya know…)
If I do Wii fit at home, can I get the oatmeal? Does that count? I cannot haul my flat butt and very curvy back-fat body to a gym. I just simply won’t subject humanity to that, even if it is for the sake of oatmeal.
Absolutely. At 6am, we were the only ones in the gym so it was bearable for me. I am also HUGELY uncoordinated.
Make my own oatmeal (from Scotch cut oats – not those flat rolled things) and put in craisens and walnuts and cinnamon. But yes, please, keep going to the workouts and get better. (don’t think it will round out the butt, but that’s probably ok with the one that counts)
I ADORE Scottish oatmeal. This is just super fast and quick. And in the morning I need that. (I am digging the thought of adding walnuts to this mix, though!)
I’ve been meaning to start eating Scottish oatmeal for a while. I have several boxes of it.
Of course, I’ve never *actually* eaten any of it, but the intention is nice, right?
Dougie, you know that every time you pipe up on my blog an angel gets its wings, right? (I HEART THEE AN THINE UNOPENED BOXES OF SCOTTISH OATMEAL.) xo
I didn’t know McDonald’s even had oatmeal! And here I have been making my own every morning. I know I would totally end up ordering a bacon, egg and cheese McGriddle instead, so I guess it’s a good thing I haven’t been to a McDonald’s since March! But hey, I’ve lost 50 pounds since giving up fast food, so it’s worth it. Going to the gym with my husband has certainly helped too :) Keep up the workout routine. Happy New Year.
It does! And it is divine! And they serve it all day! Look at it this way…if you ever get a hankering, drive through…then order it!
I have always gone to McDonald’s even when dieting.(To get their 150 calorie ice cream cones. Nom!)
AND CONGRATS on all the hard work and weight loss! That is awesome!
I’m just afraid if I go in there for the tasty oatmeal I’ll end up leaving with a McGriddle (and heartburn for the rest of the day).
You do make it sound delicious though. I might have to try it!
It is soooooo worth it. I like Starbucks oatmeal as well, but this is better. And way cheaper.
You only have 2 type A friends? (Wait. That shouldn’t have been the take-away…)
LOL! You dork! ;)
You are hilarious, girl.
Good luck with the workouts!
I miss thee! xo
Hey congratulations on getting up and actually doing the workout! I know exactly how you feel about it. I have a bad ankle due to a work accident and I have to be really careful about things like that too. I have been tossing the idea of joining a gym too. Now that my husband found a job after being unemployed for 2 years I might actually be able to swing it. I love how you talked about your windows being frozen shut! I will never forget the first time that happened to me. I grew up in sunny southern Cal but moved to Salt Lake in 2009. (too bad my husbands new job is in Cal again so we had to move back *sniff*) I couldn’t figure out why my windows wouldn’t roll down and was like duh they are frozen! I throw all my best wishes your way and am encouraging you from California!
LOL! I’m sorry that you had to move back, but I would kill for some warm weather right now!!!
I dunno, I think I’m going to have to stick with the Cinnimelts. They’re pretty low cal and nutricious too (don’t I wish).
Bwahahaha!
I’m pretty certain there is no oatmeal in Australian McDonalds. but if there is, I will totally try it. Even though I don’t like oatmeal.
Hopefully, it will get there one day because YUM!
Okay…kudos to you for getting your flat butt to the gym. Wish I could say mine was flat, but it’s NOT. Totally opposite, actually, which is why I need to start workin out and eating this yummy looking oatmeal. Breakfast is totally the hardest meal of my day…don’t care for cereal or eggs much in the morning. And I always add brown sugar to my oatmeal here at home. So, I’m gonna take your word for it since you seemed to KINDA like it and try the oatmeal…I’ll let you know my review of said oatmeal later. ;)
I could maybe eat oatmeal if it looked like that.
YOU CAN DO IT, STEPH!
I was completly unaware more than one type of raisn existed. so I learned something new today. I have come to realize, sadly, that scrolling through web pages is NOT good cardio. Curses.
It’s true! And they are both delicious. (And if ONLY it were, right?) BTW…has anyone told you that you look like Jools Oliver?
I’ve been eating the McDonald’s oatmeal Every. Day. for almost a year. (I live in the test market, bah-ha-ha-ha! We’ve had it here for FOREVER! and good thing too, because it is seriously my breakfast)
Ok, you are so awesome that I will not hate you for getting this YUM a whole year before me! I have been whining to all of them to get a move on already.:) I totally went to the McDonald’s booth EVERY DAY at BlogHer to get oatmeal. Way better than hotel breakfast, IMO. :)
I totally hate oatmeal because when I was little (and living in Logan, Utah) I became convinced that oatmeal was actually the suckers from octopus tentacles. But, you have convinced me I should work out, because if someone cool as you can go with the cliche, I certainly should.
So, now would be a bad time to tell you that I am also a fan of Japanese Octupus salad, right?
New people at the Crossfit gym I go to always ask “so, when is this going to get any easier?” I tell them “it won’t, you just learn to love the pain.” Give it a couple months, at least. You’ll know what I mean. Best of luck! You are nuts, but that’s probably why we get along!
I have to admit it. That oatmeal looks really good.
Not quite good enough to get me to work out though. Maybe I could compromise by walking through the drive through lane to get it? That is kind of like exercise, right?
“I looked like I had just been hit by a train and outfitted by good will and wearing shoes that my trainer said would be worse than working out barefoot in.”
“oatmeal Nirvana. (It’s true. Kurt Cobain was up in heaven singing gravely and intense grunge tunes about the awesomeness of it. For reals.)”
Seriously, these made me laugh, A LOT. HAHAHAHA!!! :)
craisins?
and ‘drug’ for ‘dragged’?!
Those are new ones on me, my friend :p
Like you, though (in all seriousness, now), I have also started attempting to exercise and eat better (to make sure I fit into my wedding dress come April, mainly). I went for a run on Monday. I did it, but I didn’t enjoy it one bit. I know I would enjoy dance classes more but there just don’t seem to be any in my area at convenient times. Shame. Back to the drawing board for me there I think.
On the up side, though, I think this is the first time ever that it is nearly Epiphany and I still have Christmas chocolate left :o
Craisins are dried cranberries. Totally legit word. :)
BUT, yeah, you got me on “drug”. I blame my southern mama. (While it is incorrect grammar, it is also a dialect thing dominant in the south and I grew up with it. I found out in high school that it was an error and I try my best to remember but gosh darn it all if it doesn’t escape now and again!)
I am sure you will look stunning for your wedding! (And you are more than welcome to send any left over chocolate to me. Heh!)
completely did not know about the craisins! will have to look into them – they sound delish :)
I certainly hope I do fit into my dress – my mum will give me untold grief if I don’t!!! (Mainly because it was expensive…) Although saying that, I am still tempted to microwave the Terry’s Chocolate Orange and spread it on toast. (Do you have those in the States?!)
This is just they way I LOVE my oatmeal-exactly what I put in it! I am going to have some in the am…but the gym…Uh…no…
That is SUCH a better incentive than the Snickers bar I just had.
Ok, just this morning i had a glorious oatmeal breaky all dressed up in my new anthro mug. it was heaven. apples, candied walnuts (that i make up in batches) craisins, cinnamon and brown sugar and it was ALL inspired by that annoying Mickey Dee’s commercial! :)This post was fun! xo!
I tried it this morning. You’re right! It’s SO good! Thanks for telling us about it!
My house isn’t even COLD yet and you have traded me in for a new BFF/workout partner who you will go 2 times with???? I am hurt Willow. Just hurt.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Ok, and from someone who eats at McDonald’s ONCE a year, I LOOOOVE this oatmeal and think I will have to go get myself some tomorrow morning now. Thanks a lot jerk. Or, maybe I’ll wait until Saturday when it’s supposed to get cold here…like 58 ;) xoxoxo
It was 28 degrees when I drove my son to school (in FLORIDA!) and I decided to get him an Egg McMuffin on the way, since cold cereal is not a good breakfast to warm up the belly.
The original plan was me to get a bagel, but I saw that they had this oatmeal and well, I got the oatmeal instead.
You’re right-it is awesome. I’m not a big oatmeal fan, but the fruit swayed me. Even though mine were missing the best fruit ever, craisins. I’d eat that again. And again. Even when it’s not 28 freaking degrees in Florida.