H is for Hula Hoop!

I must go out to the shed in the morning and bring in my hoop. I've got a proper adult size and weight one (it makes a BIG difference).

Today I took delivery of two new fitness DVDs as I prepare my stomach for baring belly on the beach this summer. The terrible weather has lulled us into a false sense of security as we've hidden under layers of wool and puffa jackets. I was rather shocked to discover that it wasn't a rolled-up flesh-coloured t-shirt giving me extra warmth around my waist, but in fact a spare tyre complete with love handles. Time for some drastic action.

Although I have never been what you might call particularly athletic - always far too uncoordinated to get picked for any team sports and rubbish at catching a ball - I never had any trouble with a hula hoop and can keep the thing spinning around my waist for hours. OK, slight exaggeration. I would get really bored hooping for hours, but I can certainly manage 30 minutes without dropping it once.

Should be great for multi-tasking because I have some TV series I need to catch up on and I can stand and spin while watching - genius! Although my current addiction to watching Masterchef doesn't really help the waistline. Dieting does not get tougher than this... Yesterday I made a creamy chicken pie after watching John Torode. It required finishing off with sticky toffee pudding and clotted cream ice cream with honeycomb pieces... what can I say? I need

The pie comes in after 14 minutes. "It's a good looking pie John, a good looking pie." 

Hula Hola

My hoop arrived today in the biggest parcel I've ever seen - albeit a touch on the flat side. I couldn't wait to shake my booty.

I am hooked. Having been using my son's £1 from Tesco version up to this point, I now realise I have been attempting to wiggle the equivalent of a toddler's bicycle around my grown up hips. This hoop is huge and heavy and it don't fall down. You just shake your hips and round and round it goes.

Soon I was performing my first tricks - just a few bends to start, then a little walk around. The pounds started to drop off, the hoop span faster and faster and faster. Beyonce asked me to stop because I was ruining her reputation. Then, a knock at the door and Cirque du Soleil implored me to run away and join them...

Well, you know I'm a mother. I have responsibilities and a mortgage, but in the end they asked so nicely that I offered them a 'one night only' performance which you can see on this YouTube link above. What lovely people - and they even provided extra hoops.

In all seriousness though, if I could hula like this chick below, I'll be a happy bunny