Bucky's Ultimate Treadmill Workout Playlist

I was always the skinny girl. I was that annoying little pipsqueak who could (and did) eat everything in sight and never gain a pound. Then, something tragic that happens far too often happened to me.

I turned 30. One of my hobbies is scrapbooking, so I tend to take A LOT of photos of my family, excursions, etc. Since I am usually the photographer, though, there weren't really a lot of pictures of me around. One day while out on a nature hike with my husband and 4 girls, I posed for a photo with my hubby. Later that day, as I uploaded the pics onto my computer so I could scrapbook them, I took one look at that photo and did a double take. WTF? Who the hell is that chubby girl standing next to my husband? And why is she wearing my shorts?

So, I decided I needed to lose some weight. Now, before those of you who know me start drinkin the haterade and telling me I was never fat, let me say two words.

Shut. Up.

I know I was not obscenely overweight. However, keep in mind that I am 5'3" (in heels), so 30 extra pounds on me looks like a lot more than one might think.

I had tried gyms, etc, but they never really worked for me due to my work schedule and the fact that my husband was gone most of the time, so I couldn't leave my kids with him while I worked out. Plus, there was an incident once involving me, a gym, and a fall that may or may not have resulted in a concussion.......so, I decided that a treadmill in my home would be the best option.

There was just one problem.

I am a colossal cheapskate. Seriously, if it costs more than $9.99 I probably won't buy it (unless it's chocolate or meat.) So I placed an ad in my local newspaper in the "Wanted to Buy" section. By 10 am that Saturday, I had received 8 phone calls. By noon, I was on my way to pick up my BARELY used treadmill.....for $75. (Insert gigantic YAY here.)

My husband was skeptical at best. He was fairly certain we had just purchased a $75 coat rack. However, about two weeks after I made my purchase, my family received the shocking blow that a beloved family member's cancer had become terminal. She passed away about two weeks later. I found walking on the treadmill to be a fantastic way to work out my anger and grief during that difficult time. After a few weeks of this, I started noticing my clothes were looser. That encouraged me to work harder, so I amped it up a bit. Overall, I lost a total of 27 pounds. I used to be able to recite how many inches I lost from my waist, hips and neck, but I found that mostly just irritated people so I forgot.

Many people ask me how I did it. I really think they just want to know what wonder drug or fad diet I used. Neither. It really is so simple it's almost ridiculous. Exercise and portion control. I did not cut any foods out of my diet. Many experts would probably tell me I should, but I'm fairly certain that the people who would have to live with my murderously crazy ass would tell them that's hogwash.

My second secret?

I have fun when I work out. So many people seem to be so intense about how many miles they ran, or the speed at which they set their treadmill. Honestly, I rarely do more than 2 miles. And as for speed, I don't do the same speed throughout my workout. I shake it up a bit. Quite literally. The only two things consistent about my workout are duration and frequency.

Duration: At least 30 minutes whether I like it or not

Frequency: At least 3 times a week (although I will admit I haven't been as much of a stickler on this one lately,and should be).

My third secret?

Music.

I honestly do not think I could work out without music. When I was saying I shake it up a bit, what I meant was, I totally let my music dictate my workout. I move with the beat of the music. If it's a slower beat, I concentrate not so much on speed, but on form. I make sure to notice my posture, suckin in the old gut and making sure I am tightening my butt muscles with each step. While I will absolutely admit I am NO expert on fitness, I did read in a fitness magazine that it is beneficial to your heart to alternate speeds during your workouts. And I have noticed that even if I work out the same amount of time and the distance is mostly the same, on the workouts where I shake it up and involve other body parts, I will always burn more calories.

Now, a little disclaimer here. Depending on your confidence level, you may or may not want to do this if you work out in a gym. I get crazy into my workout because I do it in the comfort of my own home without worrying what people think. I'm pretty sure if I did what I do in public, the men in white coats would arrive to take me to my happy place.

Bottom line is, my kick butt treadmill playlist makes those 30 minutes fly by, and ensure that I have fun while doing it. These are not all necessarily songs that I would listen to just for listening sake. I chose them simply because they GET ME MOVING. So, here is my Ultimate Treadmill Playlist: (in no particular order)

• You Shook Me All Night Long - ACDC
• One Two Step - Ciara
• Just Dance - Lady GaGa
• See You Again - Mile Cyrus (shut up. Seriously, play it and just see if you can keep from shakin your money maker!)
• Don't Stop The Music - Rihanna
• In My Head - Jason Derulo (it seriously creeps me out that he always says his own name, though...seriously?)
• Good Girls Go Bad - Cobra Starship
• Shake It - Metro Station
• Cherry Cola - Savage Garden
• Sexy Chick - David Guetta (yes, I know it is demeaning and goes against everything the feminist in me stands for, but it is a KICK ASS workout tune)
• Self Esteem - The Offspring
• Wanted - Jesse James
• Let's Get Rocked - Def Leppard
• Paradise City - Guns N Roses
• Insurrection - The SoulJazz Orchestra (this is one of my old High School Friends, and they seriously KICK BUTT....he sent me this song because of his sincere outrage at the fact I like Sexy Chic)

So go ahead, eat that Twinkie you've had your eye on. Just crank up the ol IPOD and Rock It Off!

Ok, yes, that was quite possibly the lamest closing line I have ever uttered. Shame.On.Me.