Snan's Failproof Weight-Loss Plan

I am not athletic. In fact, I think I might be the antonym to "athletic." Personally I don't think that's a bad thing, after all, I'm pretty sure evolution has traditionally favored those who know well enough to run away when large objects fly in their direction.

But when it came time to diet back to normal size after Shalva was born, I turned to my evolutionarily-challenged younger sister, who considers marathons a fun thing to do in your free time (if somewhat boring for her by now - she's moved on to the Iron Man).

She gave me three simple tips (or maybe more than three? Three that I remember. Snan, if there were more, please leave a comment) that have worked so well I felt obligated to share.

1. Eat something in the morning.
2. Drink lots of water.
3. Get 15 minutes of physical activity each day.

I say "something" instead of "breakfast" because I haven't really been doing full breakfasts. My stomach wakes up after the rest of me, so it's enough to get down a piece of fruit. Snan says that's enough.

The 15 minutes can be non-consecutive, which makes that part very easy. I try to get mine in by using the elliptical three times a week (technically I use it every day, but I mean "use it for something other than drying clothing"), and on the other days walking up and down stairs for 5-6 minutes on my way to pick up Dani and then doing jumping jacks for 60 seconds once an hour during work.

I work from home, by the way. Don't try that last part if you work in an office.

It's hard to fit in jumping jacks, especially when the kids are home. But on the other hand, it can make things easier with the kids, because the kids find the sight of me doing jumping jacks breathtakingly funny. Literally, Noya can't even get the words out as she runs to tell Adi, "She's doing it again!! Come quick!" Then they both run over and only manage two or three "jumping jacks" of their own before falling down laughing.

I'm doing a few other things too - I try to eat healthily, and I work out for more than 15 minutes 3-4 times a week. But whenever I do only that, I don't lose weight, and whenever I stick to Snan's advice, I do.

Poor Snan has had the following conversation with me more than once in the past few months:
Me: "Snan, it's not working any more. I haven't lost weight in three weeks."
Her: "Are you still doing the things I told you to?"
Me: "Uhhh... kinda?"
Her: "Do the things I told you to."

Ahh, family. The people obligated by social norms to put up with me - what would I do without you?