TONE IT UP

My son Alex walked into the living room where I was sitting on the couch lifting five pound weights in the air. “What are you doing?” he asked as he sat in a chair across from me.

“I'm toning up my arms.” I pressed the weights up in the air.

“Are you suppose to be locking your elbows like that?” Alex seemed concerned.

I shook my head. “I have no idea.”

“I don't think that's the way you're suppose to be using them.” He grabbed a pillow and put it behind his head.

I put one weight down on the coffee table and began using just one to curl up to my shoulder.

Alex shook his head as he put his feet up on the coffee table. “Seriously, who showed you these exercises?”

I put the weight down. “Nobody. I made them up myself.” I felt my bicep. “I'm not too concerned about this part.” I waved my arm back and forth as I pointed under my arm. “It's this wiggly part that's driving me crazy!”

Alex laughed. “I'm sure there's real exercises you could be doing.”

I reached for my phone. “I'll Google it.” I began typing. 'How to get rid of flab' Wow! I didn't even have to finish typing it went right to flabby arms!” I scrolled through several videos. “Okay, here's one that says I'll see a difference in one week! Can't beat that!” I clicked on the site then sat back and watched. “Good news is, it's only ten minutes long.” I put my feet up on the coffee table. “Yeah, even better news I don't need the weights!”

I began listening to the chipper young girl who'd decided to film the video in what looked like her apartment. I turn the phone sideways to enlarge the picture. “I can't believe her kitchen has no counter space.” I look over at Alex. “How's she suppose to make a meal in there?”

Alex laughed. “Aren't you suppose to be doing it with her?”

I looked back at the video and could hear a puppy barking. “Where's the dog?” I asked the screen. The girl answers my question by telling the viewers that her puppy's in the other room. “Oh, man! I was hoping to see the puppy.” I leaned back holding the phone in my lap. She moved on to the next exercise. “Well, this one doesn't seem that hard either.”

“Why don't you try them with her?” Alex asks.

“I'm just want to see what I'm getting into.” I look back at the video. “Is that a boombox on the floor?” I look over at Alex. “Who has one of those anymore?” I shake my head. “She doesn't have any furniture but she has a boombox.” I'm still shaking my head.

“Any idea when you're planning on starting the exercises yourself?” Alex asks.

“Okay, she's getting to the end of her routine.” I could hear her panting. “Sounds like she's a little out of breath.” I looked over at Alex. “That's a good thing. No pain, no gain, right?”

“That's what they say.” Alex agreed.

The video finished. “Well, that might be a good one.” I said as I clicked it off.

“Aren't you going to try it?”

I nodded my head. “Yup. I'm pretty sure that's the one I'll use.”

Alex looked confused. “So...”

“Today was all about the research.” I put my phone on the coffee table and leaned back into the couch. “I'll start the program tomorrow.”