Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Sunday, December 5, 2010

My Christmas Workout




Christmas gives me so many things I need. And I'm not talking about gifts.

Think about the obstacle course at the mall. Walking as quickly as you can while dodging multitudes of shoppers is great for the glutes. Bonus points for juggling multiple packages at the same time. Be ready to practice a little meditation for stress relief while waiting in a seemingly endless check out line. Note: the meditation idea is also helpful after you've lost the last parking spot (the one for which you've been patiently waiting while a little old lady takes 5 minutes to back out) when a car load of teenagers cuts in ahead of you.

Back at home, I unload the car. That usually takes at least 3 trips. The packages get stuffed in my closet. I'll wrap them another day, because now it's time to drag countless boxes up from the basement. By my calculation, I climb up and down the stairs at least 147 times. And at 20 pounds per box, my biceps quickly feel the burn.

But it doesn't end there. Now that the tree is put together and decorated, the official Kitty War has begun. Bogey loves to de-decorate the bottom of the tree. That means I get a daily dose of crawling around on the floor to retrieve ornaments that he's strewn across the room. Not to worry, though. I can always throw in a few leg lifts as long as I'm down there anyway.

I ask you, who needs a gym membership when you have Christmas? And thank goodness, too. I've got to find some way to justify the extra 3,000 calories per day I'm consuming.

20 comments:

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

If you find that justification, let me know!

Tammy said...

Christmas calisthenics! Love it! At this rate I should be buff by September.

The Daily Pip said...

BOL! Don't forget sprinting in and outside with the dog (I guess this only counts if you live somewhere cold).

Your pal, Pip

Ann Summerville said...

Hilarious Pat. My cat likes to wriggle under the tree skirt.
Ann

the teacher's pets said...

Very clever post! I loved reading this! Yes, Christmas shopping is a workout for sure! I agree that it takes stamina, muscular strength, hand/eye coordination, and so much more to deal with the many issues that can arise in the mall! Thanks for bringing out the positive side of spending money!

Two French Bulldogs said...

BOL, kittys are funny
Benny & Lily

Oskar said...

Oh our kitties love to un-decorate the tree!

We've started a week of giveaways at my blog www.PetBlogsUnited.com, so stop by & you could be a winner!

Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar

Linda O'Connell said...

That cute little kitty???? Oh Pat, everytime I climb the stairs I rewrad myself with a cookie. I am my own worst enemy.

Lynn said...

I love the whole Christmas and exercise thing!

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

Love this workout!! it does feel like we're all on overload.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Hmmm...what with all that calorie burning, an extra couple of Christmas cookies shouldn't show up behind me at all. I like the way you think!

Sketching with Dogs said...

I will be going on some mega-long walks as soon as our snow has gone, I don't want a repeat of last years pound-piling incident, lol.
Cats and trees, I remember when Dylan was a kitten he pulled the tree down at least 3 times a day!

Peggy Frezon said...

Well if that isn't the most perfect plan ever! Yes, the holidays can burn a lot of calories so enjoy!

Donna Volkenannt said...

Great! I feel less guilty about those cookies now.
It was good to see you yesterday. Hope the auction went well. It looked like fun!
Donna V.
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com

AngelStar said...

glad the pup is better...a Christmas wish for miracles for you and your critters, love angelstar

Ryker said...

Well, isn't that the truth! Christmas can be exhausting!
We had a little cat named Maggie that used to get her workout climbing the tree. You could see her shinny little eyes reflecting from between the branches. That brings back smiles.

Kristine said...

I think you've got the right philosophy, way to see the positive side of everything. :-)

Terri Tiffany said...

I love your form of excercize:) Hate mine!

BECKY said...

This is so funny, and so true!! I think, too, that if we didn't have a 2-story home, I'd weigh even more than I already do!!

Eileen said...

Yesterday I got my workout by trudging through some deep snow by my house! lol