Aging, Humor, Intentionality, Lifestyle, Self Improvement

I Feel Bad about my Arms

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Years ago, I started reading a book (possibly a memoir?) by Nora Ephron. When she wrote something to the effect of “I feel bad about my neck”, in that she felt it needed covering because as she’d gotten older the skin started looking crepey. I stopped reading after that line, because I just couldn’t relate. It felt like she was speaking to women “of a certain age” (aka much older than me at that time). And my neck was perfectly fine, thankyouverymuch.

Now I kinda get it. Only for me, it’s about my arms.

I was looking in the mirror a month or so ago and decided I didn’t like the appearance of my upper arms. They are flabby and jiggly and just overall unattractive. As I enjoy wearing sleeveless tops in the summertime, I decided to address this situation with intention.

Now, I’ve always had little upper-arm strength. I remember being one of maybe two or three other kids in middle school who were unable to do that thing where you hang by your arms on a metal bar. I also have hereditary peripheral neuropathy, which causes my limbs to frequently give me that oh-so-fun feeling of pins and needles, in particular when I stay in one position for too long.

I figured the simplest route to reducing my upper arm flab would be to incorporate doing push-ups on my bedroom floor during my regular morning yoga stretching/praying session.

Guess what? I can do up to 27 sit-ups now! Granted they are not the traditional, full-on push-ups; they are the kind of push-ups where I’m on my knees so that it’s only the upper half of my body weight in play. Then, I will do up to 4 actual, real push-ups. Well, real enough. I estimate that I’ve gone from moving 1/2 inch toward the floor to 1 whole inch since I began this routine.

This might seem quite pathetic to you all, especially if you’re the sporty type. But I see it as a baby step toward my goal of having less flabby arms and a stronger core. If I just remain consistent with it, I ought to get results.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

For your auditory enjoyment, may I present an uplifting, groovy little tune sung by a one-of-a-kind artist, Ray LaMontagne.

13 thoughts on “I Feel Bad about my Arms”

  1. Your blog is so regrettably relatable that I had to read it all the way through to see if you’d discovered a secret pill I needed to know more about. I enjoyed your writing as much as the story.

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  2. The Ray LaMontagne song is groovy. Step on up!

    I have flabby arms, always have. Like you I couldn’t do that hang by your arms thing either. I used to do some push-ups but only got minimal results. 3/4th length sleeves work in my favor.

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    1. Isn’t that a great song? I hated those days in school when we had to demonstrate our “feats of strength” or whatever. It was humiliating. I’m with you on the 3/4 length sleeves. I just don’t want to wear them in the summer heat. Maybe I’ll invest in some little hand weights, like 3 pounders or something to address the flab.

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  4. I’m loving the mantra I’m hearing for middle age (I have a BIG birthday coming up in June) that says: strong, not skinny. I try to keep this in mind, that the situps, pushups, and other exercises I do (that I don’t want to!) now will keep me living well for hopefully the next 30 years. Good for you!!

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    1. So, does your BIG birthday start with a 4…or a 5? I’ve not heard that phrase “strong, not skinny” but I love it! The truth is, I’ll never be “skinny” again. I think that ship sailed many, many years ago. I don’t care too much though. I think it’s far better to focus on being strong in all the ways. Thanks for commenting!

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