top 5 reasons i need to get my booty in gear

Less than two weeks after posting my latest vlog on getting ready for my impending 40^th birthday, including how I am trying to lose a few lbs before the big day, I found myself sitting on my rear end at The Lorax movie junket eating fried corn dogs, quesadillas, sliders and a handful of other artery-clogging foods. Healthy foods were nowhere to found, unless you count the celery sticks I smothered in ranch to soften the spicy blow of the buffalo wings I shoved in my face just after Tom Brady’s safety.

The only weight lifting I did all weekend was of wine glass to mouth and the only cardio exercise I got was dancing in my seat to Madonna’s new song, Give Me All Your Luvin’, during the half-time show (which bugged me at first but will most certainly be my favorite song after approximately fifteen listens).

So here I am. No closer to my goal, and possibly even further away then when I posted that video.

HOWEVER, I just learned of a cool campaign being sponsored by Quaker called MapMyFITNESS where participants pledge to workout 15 times in 30 days. Boom!

This could not have come at a better time for me since once the Pandora’s Box of coach-potatoism paired with cheesy, fried food was opened last weekend, I am desperate for something to kick my booty back into healthy, workout mode. Here are the:

Top 5 Reasons I Need to Get My Booty In Gear:

1) So I Can Wear Short Shorts – My weight has fluctuated up and down my entire life, but even on the upswings I have never liked my legs in shorts. Ever. But we’re headed to Hawaii this summer so I want to feel confident showin’ off a little leg. (P.S. I could also use a good self-tanner. Got any tips? I’m Casper).

2) To Cure My Dunlaps Disease. Yes, it’s as serious as it sounds. Dunlaps Disease is when your belly dunlaps over your belt. I have this affliction and it’s not pretty.

3) To Avoid the Crazy! Working out is one of the main ways I can avoid anxiety attacks and my bouts of mental funk. I sweat out all the gunk in my head and I am truly a much nicer and more stable person when I am getting exercise on a normal basis.

4) So I Can Serve My Grandkids Ice Cream. Anyone else leave their kids with their parents for awhile, only to find out that they’ve had four bowls of ice cream and three slices of cake? Well that’s the way it is when my mom watches my kids, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. My kids love visiting my mom and step dad and I want to be the same way with my grand kids some day. Especially since I get to pass them right back to their parents to deal with the sugar-induced repercussions afterward.

5) So I Can Fight Uphill. I can’t tell you how many people have made it clear to me that once I turn forty the weight thing will be an uphill battle. In other words, if I’m not in shape once I reach 40, I’m screwed. I think that’s a big crock because I’m prepared to be forty and fabulous, dammit. But I guess I better be prepared to work for it.

So, to help me in quest, I am committing, right here and right now, to being active for 15 out of the next 30 days via the Quaker MapMyFitness Challenge. Who’s with me? Signing up with them on their site will enter you to win $750.00 so I’m thinking it’s a pretty good deal. The best thing that can happen is that you get in shape and you win $750.00 and the worst thing is that, well, there’s nothing bad about working out, so it’s a win-win for everyone.

Now what’s your plan? How about planking or Cross Fit? I hear those are the latest fads!

Oh, and let’s not forget that $750.00. For your chance to win $750 complete these two steps:

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Quaker Oats Company. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.