Behind the Wheel Exercises

If you are familiar with my writing, my family, or me then you know my mother is all about being healthy. "Walking's good" is her personal mantra.

She is always sending little tidbits of health info along to my sister and me. Bless our mom, both of her daughters do so love to enjoy food. Moreover, we do not hold dear to her mantra. When we were young, our mom thought walking into town for ice cream would be fun. I thought, hey ice cream, sure. It was a five mile trek from HELL and it was summertime. What was she thinking? What was I to agree? Nowadays, my sister and I still thinking ice cream is fun but we will drive there, thank you.

We love her and she loves us...which is why she is so concerned for our health.

This week, our joint health update email from mom was about getting physical behind the wheel. Yes, that was her subject line... and whilst Olivia Newton John immediately popped into my head, I began laughing before even clicking on the body of the message. I called my sister and asked if she had checked her email yet...she had not. She situated herself with her morning java and we both clicked on it together.

Mom had sent us exercise techniques to apply for the betterment of our health while we are driving. Although, I think she intends for us to practice these techniques only if we are stuck in traffic. I live in a large metropolitan city; my sister in a small town... who was this intended for, really?

Behind the wheel exercises - leg press

Whilst in traffic I can place a water bottle between my legs and gently squeeze. Hold for five seconds and repeat for eight repetitions. Not diet soda or sports drink... but water bottle. I wonder if my morning venti caramel mocha frappuccino will have the same effect?

Behind the wheel exercises - arm circle

Okay... before I even read any further I am transported back to a time... long long ago when our mother would want us to work out along side her as she did arm circles wearing leg warmers, a headband and bounced along to the beat with Jane Fonda.

To do an arm circle.. I am to put my arms straight out. I will have to roll down the window...my arms are not that short. and then rotate them in circles . I am to do this for 12-15 repetitions-and then reverse directions!

Behind the wheel exercises - side crunches

I am to place one hand on my stomach and the other behind my head (more reason to go ahead and get one of those blue tooth earpieces...). Then using my arm that is behind my head I am to bring my elbow to the opposite knee.... Hello... mom... steering wheel! I am not sure I will have time to push my seat back. and still complete my reps! I am to do this for 12-15 repetitions and then switch arms. I am short and have been told that it looks like I am eating my review mirror or worse, trying to use the review mirror of the car in front of mine. How will this look?

Behind the wheel exercises - steering wheel grip

Okay... this one I can do... When fully stopped I am to grab the steering wheel (what was I grabbing on to before... oh, right that was meant for my sister - who has been known to steer with her knees as she talks on the phone and applies her make up- when she was in her twenties.) and tighten my grip for ten seconds and release. I am to repeat this for five reps. Gracious... this one is easy. I do it all the time... when my children are not listening to me, when work calls me on my day off, when drivers cut me off... when I encounter bad drivers in general.

Behind the wheel exercises - toe raise

I am to put my feet flat on the floor....gear pedals?... then lift my heels and hold for ten seconds. I am to repeat this for 12-15 reps.

I am also to sit up straight... and skip the drive through.

Okay... but is she going to come bail us out when 911 is called on us? After all, what are other drivers going to think when they see one hand out of the driver side window doing circles and then see the same driver hit their (my) head on the steering wheel while doing side crunches? For 12-15 reps?????