Terre Pruitt's Blog

Ok, so you all know the idea behind the remote control is to be able to sit and change the channel while you are seated. Sometimes you hear people comment about how this wonderful gadget allows for the subtraction of movement in one’s life. Well, not in my family.

I actually believe that our particular use of the remote control assist us in getting our exercise. We are the family of “Honey, where is the remote control?” We seem to be unable to actually leave it where it would be most useful—in the “remote control bucket”. And, yes, we have a container for our remote controlS, because we have at least four. As you might be able to image the more you have the better the chance for exercise. There is a remote control for the DVD player (two separate ones for two separate machines!) and a remote for the TV, I won’t list all the remotes, but there are more.

Join me in the “Remote Control Exercise ‘Class’”.

“Ok, Class, let’s WATCH A DVD! Today’s DVD is newly purchased and not yet in the jukebox, so get up off that couch and put it in the machine!”

“Crouch down to the machine. Grab the TV remote to set it to the right screen. Don’t see it? Well get up and look for it! Look for it . . . . .look for it. Don’t see it? Search in the couch, bend and stretch. Crouch on the floor, it might be under the couch. What? Still can’t find it.”

“Check the kitchen. . . . .walk into the kitchen, heel lead, check the bathroom, shuffle to the guest room, shuffle back. Easy jog up the stairs to the master bedroom, still can’t find it? Hmmm?”

“Jog to the garage because you put in a load of laundry before deciding to watch a movie. Got it? Good! Now use those leg muscles to get back on the floor to put the DVD in the machine.”

“Skip back to the couch. Sit. Get comfortable. Start the movie. Oh, wait, did you forget the remote to the DVD player? Jump up to get it. Jog to it. Sit back on the couch—use your thighs, Class! Start the movie. Whoa! The previews are so loud you won’t be able to hear my instructions. Turn down the TV volume. What, you left it by the machine? Jump up to get the TV remote. Remember when you jump up really contract those core muscles!”

“Back to the couch, remember to sit down using your gluts and thighs—don’t plop. Now, here ya, go . . . Oh, get up get the phone. Don’t forget to stop the movie.”

“While you are on the phone, do some chair squats with the couch. One, two, three . . . eleven. Off the phone? This last squat ease all the way down onto that a couch. Stretch for the remote control to start the movie. What? You left it in the kitchen?”

“Jump-up to go get it. While you are there get a glass of water, you must stay hydrated when working out.”

“Sit back on the couch—use your thighs, Class! Start the movi—-what? You left the remote control in the kitchen when you went to get it? Oh, the water distracted you.”

“Jump-up to go get it. Jog to the kitchen. Jog back to the couch. Squat down on to the couch.”

“There you go. Now you can watch your movie. While it is not the best form of exercise you did get in at least twenty minutes of movement all from a little gadget that is allowing you to control your machines from the comfort of your seat!”