Getting through Monday

My 2 hours of exercise on Mondays are great. My skinny and white little arms may or may not be looking more toned than ever before . . . I think.

“Aren’t I looking super buff, honey?” I asked my husband just last week. “No, seriously,” I continued, “can’t you tell a big difference from before?”

He squinted his eyes. He looked at my arms thoughtfully. He walked around me to study a different angle. He opened his mouth to pronounce his verdict–

“You know what,” I added quickly, “don’t answer that question.”

I had to stop him before he said anything rash.

Regardless of how visible my musculature is or is not, I can’t count how many grunts have gone into the strengthening of each muscle fiber. It helps to make noise, it really does. My teacher laughs at me on a regular basis–or is it ‘laughs with me’?

See, I’m not sure if you can call the ‘evil cackle’ variety a participatory experience.

When I get done, I am beat. Beat, beat, beat. The harsh transition from sitting in an office from 9-5 to hustling for a woman who was a drill seargeant in another life always feels rather abrupt. My bottom gets very confused when making the switch from its life in a plush leather chair where it abides for 8 hours daily to a series of lunges that put the true meaning of ‘pain’ into its existence. It asks me many a time: “Is my true essence a comfy chair-shaped slump, or do you want me to actually work for my bread?” “Work for it!” I yell, “get smaller! Get firmer! I never want to hear you utter the word ‘slump’ again!”

That bottom needs to be talked to with authority–I find that backsides in general require a firm hand.

But I can get through the squats, and the lunges, and the sweating, because I know this is waiting for me when I get home at 7:45:

A husband. A husband who has dinner ready for me. Incidentally, that is the last of the second pot roast, defrosted and refried with some onions and bacon. I warned you we’d be eating that pot roast for eternity and an age. You may have thought I was exaggerating–if so, you thought wrong.

During my workout tonight I will derive extra strength from the fact that as soon as I walk in the door, I have a husband waiting who will make sure I have a bottle of water nearby to rehydrate as I collapse into my chair and say “I am sooooo tired!”

A husband who understands my need for a lot of rice, and piles it into a bowl for me with generous abandon.

A husband who . . .

“Hey! Put that camera down, and get over here! It’s time to eat! Hop to it!”

. . . who has a magnificent forearm. OK, that was the worst picture I have ever posted on this blog–but that forearm makes it worth every sorry pixel.

Happy Monday everyone!

25 thoughts on “Getting through Monday

  1. joshua

    you guys are amazing. miss you guys terribly. a-dog, we should skype soon. when I saw this post on my facebook feed, I wasn’t entirely sure what man was in the picture. lookin sharp man. sorry to lose you from the facial hair club, but you pull it off nicely.

  2. Christy aka Mamarazzi

    There needs to be a way that sitting in an office for a good part of your day can keep you in shape! I’m a dreamer…what can I say?
    I need to get this bootie of mine back to the gym, now if only I could convince my hubby to have diner waiting. BAWahahahahahahaaha, like I said, I’m a dreamer.

    1. Jenna

      I know, if I had more discipline I’d do exercises at my desk . . . I’ve done that on and off since I started working here (15 squats every hour on the hour, lunges while I microwave my coffee, etc.), but have failed to implement a permanent routine. Maybe I’ll rally my strength and start that again this week.

  3. Vesselina

    I feel it’s appropriate to share a cadence song here… It’s what I think of every time I hear mention of a drill sargeant. I couldn’t help myself. Umm- maybe try to sing in quitely to yourself in class today? 😀

    I don’t know, but it’s been said
    Air force wings are made of lead
    I don’t know, but I’ve been told
    Navy wings are made of gold
    He-ey Ar-rmy
    Ba-ack packing Ar-my
    Put on your packs and follow me
    I’m in the U.S. Navy

  4. erin

    This post makes me miss you both!! Something about it, not sure what….but I notice Josh commented too, so whatever it is got him too…

    Think about you often!

  5. Circe

    backsides in general require a firm hand.
    I snorted out loud when I read this last line! very very funny.

    but in all seriousness, it’s nice that your husband has dinner waiting for you when you get home. very lux!

  6. Veronica

    Great job on your work outs and wow, you are blessed with a hubby that cooks!! I can’t complain about my DH but the man does not cook.

  7. Kat

    It always takes FOREVER for men to notice change. Keep on rockin’ the ‘cise, lady!

    My fiance can’t cook an entire meal over heat yet, but I’m working with him to prep things while I’m running after work, that way we can get dinner onto the table faster. Jealous that yours has skillet skills!

  8. sandy

    Congrats on winning the Pioneer Woman Get-A-Way! Your blog is adorable and I laughed so hard at your dental floss post and the fake smile. Plus I loved your post on going to the Chinese Grocery Store and how you said it was worth it getting the red marks on your arms from lugging the groceries LOL, I know what your talking about. You are hilarious and I love your sense of humor. Just thought I would make the comment. I will have to come back and read more for entertainment purposes lol

  9. Jessica Louise

    I bet your arms are looking more “buff”! You may not notice it because you and the hub see them everyday….ask your sister next time you see her…I bet she will GASP with the shock of how toned they are since last visit 🙂 Sisters are good for that sort of information. Not that I have a sister…but luckily I have my Sarah & Jenn!

    Also – I loved the writing in this post. Oh so fun & witty. Matthew cooks for me too…it is a fantastic arrangement at times!

    1. Jenna

      Haha, yes–that’s what sisters and friends are for. =) To tell you your arms are definitely more buff when your hubby can’t tell the difference.

  10. Angie

    I agree – the best part of my Monday workout is coming home to my hubby who is so lovingly making a delicious dinner. Hubs are the best. 🙂

  11. Twinky

    Yes, indeedy-doo! My back-side needs a firm hand, and it just so happens it’s your Dad’s (ñark-ñark-ñark!). Still love reading you, and one of these days you need to post a story, like Blue Beard, in both the original Spanish and the English translation. There! I said it!

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