For those of you who are reading for the geriatrics portion of this blog, I apologize.  This is going to be yet another post dedicated to the “Fat” part of my name.  I’m currently working on a Geriatric Academic Career Award (GACA) grant, so all of my geriatrics writing is being funneled into that effort.  If I get it, it will give me fodder for many more geriatrics posts.  

I had a fabulous experience this weekend that I need to share.  After only a month with the trainer, I have started to see benefits!  No, not on the scale (that damn thing keeps going up), but in the most important part–my function!

We live 10-15 minutes from Sea World San Antonio, and as such, have season passes.  They are advertising having over 9 million lights up for the holidays.  And that actually seems accurate.  It is beautiful.  December in San Antonio is the perfect weather for the park–60s-70s outside during the day, and crisp and cool (requiring a light jacket) at night.  We have taken our 2 year old and our 8 month old every weekend this month.  

For those of you unacquainted with Sea World, it has a lot of shows.  You wander through the park grounds and see a few exhibits as a way to break up the shows.  There is a place for preschool/early elementary kids that has a Sesame Street theme with a large playground, splash pad (that is still operational in December–but mostly unused), and costumed characters performing on a stage/walking around.  

This weekend was the first time that my daughter partook in the rides.  She rode the carousel twice on “the blue one” (horse).  She also rode a fairly advanced ride (pictured below) that spun around, went up and down, and back and forth.  We walked past it several times, and each time she consistently asked to ride it.  She even stood patiently in line during 5 or 6 runs of the ride before it was her turn to get on.  She watched with intensity while asking questions about taking turns.  When she finally rode it, she laughed with delight the entire time.  

She was then distracted by what I can only describe as a rave for preschoolers.  The sun had just gone down.  The Christmas lights were shining everywhere, and the main Sesame Street stage was blasting Christmas music, spraying bubbles/snow into the crowd, and characters were dancing in the street.  She was a little unsure of the dancing Cookie Monster, Elmo, Count, etc., so I held her as we danced together. 

We had been on our way to a show called Pets Ahoy, where trained puppies, kitties, ducks, pigs, birds, etc perform tricks for 30 minutes.  She had seen it once already on another visit.  When she found out we were going to Sea World again, the puppies were what got her the most excited.  So I was kinda shocked when she asked to stop at the Sesame Street show while we were walking to the puppy show.  But it was a rave for preschoolers, so lets be real.  I was distracted too.  

All of the sudden, my husband, who had gone ahead to wait in line with our 8 month old, texted me.  It said one word–“HURRY!”  

I knew we had to go fast.  Once they hit capacity, she would not be able to get in to see the puppies.  It was going to be the last show of the night, and she would be heartbroken if she missed it.  

So, I did my best to get her away from the kiddie rave.  Once we broke free from the dance party crowd, I started running while still carrying her.  I told her we were heading to the puppies and cats, and that we had to hurry.  We laughed saying “hurry, faster, hurry!” the whole way to the show.  We got there in time, and met up with my husband and son right before they opened the doors to the theater.  We were some of the last to get in.  And we had fun the whole way there.  

And, once things calmed down, and we reached our seats, I realized something magical had just happened.  I ran at a decent pace for about a quarter of a mile while carrying a nearly 30 pound toddler and talking/laughing.  I didn’t get winded.  I didn’t feel like I had to sit down or take it easy afterwards.  I just kept going and having fun.  

This is why I am working out.  For more magical moments like this with my kids.  If one month of exercise can yield a magical moment like that, I can’t wait what to see what a whole new lifestyle can do.