A few months ago, I got the bright idea to lose weight. I don’t look half bad … I actually look pretty good. But the BMI chart online says I’m overweight. At 5 foot 5 and a half inches and weighing 73 kilos, there’s some work that needs doing. It’s kind of annoying, because unless you’re in my bathtub, you can’t really see where those 73 kilos are!

The last time I consciously weighed myself, my baby was 2 years old, I weighed 55kg, and I had just shaved my dreads to be an air hostess. Luckily, the interview didn’t work out, so I grew my locks back. A few years later, I moved to Dar. Between kisamvu, Morocco burgers, and cheap ice cream, I eased up to 60kg in six months. Then my baby came over. We moved to a house five minutes from the office, and we also got a mboch. I didn’t notice the difference until the landlord’s kid said how lovely I was getting. In Dar, beauty is proportionate to weight, so I got a weighing scale. I was up to 69!

I kept meaning to do something about it, and when we moved back to Kenya, I launched into Operation Lose 1okg. I joined the gym next door for maybe three months before life and depression happened. I’d stockpiled exercise videos and I figured I was fine, since I still looked great and I weighed the same. I’ve been at 70 for a year.

But a few days ago, I weighed myself. The point was to goad my princess into eating more, since she hates food and she’s all ribs. She gets that from me, unfortunately. I was 5 inches high and weighed 2 kilos until high school, then I morphed right up to 5 foot 80kg. Still, she needs to gain some weight before she turns 18, so we often have this food debate.

The idea was for her to see how light she was so I could bully her into eating more. At 4 feet 6 inches, she weighs just below 30 kilos. The doctor says that’s fine, but I want to see some flesh on those bones, so out came the bathroom scales. Instead, she made me mount the scales, and I saw … *gasp* … 73!! I was sure the thing was broken, so I picked it up, turned it over, shook it, and tweaked the dial. Nothing doing. Still 73. Aw crud.

I’ve been saying I’ll save up to rejoin the gym, but in the meantime, I could probably use my exercise videos. So this morning, as soon as princess got on the bus, I popped in the DVD. I lingered at the belly dance section then decided to skip it and go right into Billy Blanks. It was pretty much like the last time. I had fun until they reached the cross-kick-punch combination, then I ended up on the floor. It’s like playing Twister by yourself … and losing.

The video was 45 minutes long, and I made it through to minute 30. I really feel that girl in the Easy FM advert, since I have trouble coordinating, but I did sweat, so I know I did something right.

The video showed off different kinds of beauty. The main girl, Shellie, wears a stylish burgundy gym thingie. Her legs are in loose fitting capris, and her top is a halter neck. She has the most awesome six pack, has barely any chest, and is rather on the slim side, but she has this thing going that is hot hot hot! I’m guessing it’s the X factor.

There’s a second girl behind Billy who’s older. She’s curvy, though well built, and she looks beautifully feminine. The camera has a habit of zoning into her … um … the bits that support bras can’t hide. You know, the bits that stick out sometimes? Yeah.

Then there’s the Amazonian woman in black. Her body is kind of … square … and I bet you any mugger would see her and run the other way. She’s kind of beefy, but she exudes a power that says, ‘I’m still sexy.’ Or maybe what it means is, ‘Don’t wink at me, I’m Butch.’

There was this one guy on the video whose shirt was soaked. His skin was all wet and shiny and if you ask me, that’s brilliant video editing. They must have stopped the tape to dunk him in some water, but I can’t detect the splice. Me, after 30 minutes, only my face was sweating, and I had a stitch in my chest. Yes, it’s possible to have a stitch in your chest. I sat through the last fifteen minutes, then watched the opening sequence of the salsa section. Interesting.

The ladies in the tae-bo video made me think of girls in Kenya. No matter how … large … we are, we almost always have good shape. I’ve seen women that weigh 120kg but they still look like an hour galss. Or a five litre coke bottle. It must be African genes.

And I still say a Kenyan-themed video would rock. Just think of a workout based on Isikuti, Chuka drums, Kamba footwork, Ramogi backbends, Mijikenda hipwork, Kisii shoulder moves, and Maasai jumping. We could do it to a genge soundtrack, burn more calories than three hours in Lewa, and have a lot of fun too.

Tomorrow, I try again. Hopefully I can make it through all 45 minutes without tripping. As for bellydance, I’m sure that I can do it … as long as I hide from the mirror. Ever since I watched the dance of the seven veils on Lois and Clark, I’ve wanted to learn it myself. It comes in handy as a birthday present … or something.

I’ll just wait until my abs are set. By the time I’ve gathered washboards, I should have picked some grace as well. If nothing else, I’ll be able to do the camel without giggling myself to death.

 

30 thoughts on “Billy Blanks and bellydance

  1. Somebody in essence help produce really articles I might situation. Which is the true very first period Many of us frequented your own web site page and also up to now? Many of us astonished while using the evaluation a person designed to get this to distinct publish remarkable. Amazing process!

  2. What’s up to every single one, it’s genuinely a fastidious for me
    to pay a uick visit this website, it iincludes helpful Information.

  3. My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different page
    and thought I might as well check things out.
    I like what I see so now i’m following you.
    Look forward to looking over your web page repeatedly.

  4. For hottest information you have to visit the web and on internet
    I found this website as a most excellent site for most recent updates.

  5. Great items from you, man. I’ve bear in mind your stuff prior to and you are simply extremely excellent.
    I really like what you have bought here, really like what you are saying and the way in which wherein you are
    saying it. You are making it entertaining and you still care for
    to keep it sensible. I cant wait to learn much more from you.
    That is really a tremendous website.

  6. You could definitely see your expertise in the work you write.
    The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe.
    All the time go after your heart.

  7. Hi there, You have done an excellent job. I will definitely digg it and personally suggest to my
    friends. I’m sure they will be benefited from this site.

  8. A person necessarily assist to make seriously posts I would state. That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now? I amazed with the research you made to make this actual post amazing. Wonderful activity!

  9. I simply could not leave your website prior to
    suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard info an individual supply
    on your visitors? Is gonna be again continuously in order to
    check up on new posts

  10. It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it
    is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions.
    Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read even more things about it!

  11. Hi there, I found your blog by means of Google at the same time as looking for a similar matter, your site came up, it seems to be good.

    I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
    Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative.
    I am going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful when you proceed this in future.
    A lot of other people will be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

  12. This is a topic that is close to my heart…
    Thank you! Exactly where are your contact details though?

  13. I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by
    him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You are amazing!

    Thanks!

  14. You made some good points there. I looked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most people will go along
    with your views on this web site.

  15. Status Auto Liker, Status Liker, ZFN Liker, Autoliker, Autolike International, Autoliker, Photo Auto Liker, auto liker, Autolike, Auto Like, autoliker, auto like, Photo Liker, Working Auto Liker, autolike, Auto Liker, Increase Likes

  16. Hi there, I found your blog by means of Google even as looking for a similar subject, your web site came up, it appears
    to be like great. I have bookmarked it in my google
    bookmarks.
    Hi there, just was aware of your blog thru Google, and located that it’s really informative.

    I’m going to be careful for brussels. I will appreciate when you proceed this in future.
    A lot of people will probably be benefited out of your writing.
    Cheers!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.