When I was a kid, before junior high, gym class was really pretty fun (Once in Jr High, dodge ball and the like, not to mention the advent of makeup and boobage, made gym more of a trial, as most women my age will probably agree).
But in grade school, specifically the fifth and sixth grades, I liked gym for two reasons:
First, the wonderful transformation of the cafeteria to gym/auditorium. Those who had this set up in their grade schools will probably understand what I'm talking about. After lunch the tables and benches in the cafeteria, which were attached to the walls with hinges, would fold up accordion style into the walls. No big deal, but I always felt a sense of satisfaction seeing them tucked away, safely out of reach, temporarily, of the kids. And...there was now this big open room, something I've always loved. The possibilities are endless for what can be done with a big open room (which is perhaps the reason I love an empty stage or a black box style theater....but that's another blog.).
The second, more important, reason that I enjoyed gym so much was not the workout itself, not the chance to change into gym clothes, something we didn't do in grade school usually, for some reason. It wasn't the chance to stretch and move around after being cramped in my seat all morning. I liked the classroom too and was very fond of my desk, learning, reading, and all my teachers.
No, the real reason I liked gym was "Chicken Fat."
Those of you who went to elementary school in the 60's will no doubt remember this, some fondly as I do, others ...not so much.
For the younger set, here's a brief explanation from Wikipedia:
"In 1961, (Robert) Preston was asked to make a recording as part of a program by the President's Council on Physical Fitness to get schoolchildren to do more daily exercise. The song, "Chicken Fat," written by Meredith Willson and performed by Preston with full orchestral accompaniment, was distributed to schools across the nation and played for students in calisthenics every morning."
It started in '61 , but was still being played in grade schools at least through 1967 when I started the fifth grade at Franklin Elementary School. I suppose "Chicken Fat" could be called, the granddaddy of the aerobics workout. It was a six minute workout set to the music sung enthusiastically by the late Robert Preston, the original "Music Man" and it took you through ten repetitions each of sit-ups, push-ups, jumping jacks, and the like, plus running in place to round it out. All of this so that you could say goodbye the any extra weight you might be carrying around referred to as "chicken fat" in the song.
This workout was no sweat for your average fifth grader. At least back then. I honestly am not sure the average 5th grader could to a six minute workout like that, which followed roughly forty-five minutes of calisthenics that made up the class itself. "Chiken Fat" was just a treat for being good during class.
It's hard to describe exactly why it was a treat, except that Preston is so much fun. It is as if Professor Harold Hill switched from music to physical education.
So, why bring up chicken fat now? Well, a few years ago, found the song again, online. For grins and giggles, I decided to make it a morning workout.
Yeah.
Surprisingly, not as easy as it had been to me at ten. Not at all. So, though once in a while I would play it as a pick me up, I rarely attempted a work out to it, afterward.
But yesterday, I started an exercise program again. Tired of avoiding mirrors and feeling like I should be flying high over the Macy's Parade, I came to the conclusion that losing weight and getting into shape was just going to get harder to do with each passing day, so it would be a good ideal to start on the road to reversing the trend.
I've never been able to commit to going to a gym regularly and I don't power walk , run or bike. So I thought "Chicken Fat" would be the ideal way get me going again. And...
So far so good. I've always loved Preston's voice. It's as if he were right there with you, cheering you on. I feel invigorated afterward, like I've had a very brisk walk around the block. Of course I modified some of the exercises (jumping jacks...um.. not, not yet; push-ups...not ten...well...not two, but I'll get there.) I figure that three times a day for a week or two to get me going, then "Chicken Fat" will become part of a more comprehensive workout plan, like it was in grade school.
So, I'll let you know how it goes. I'm glad I dug it "Chicken Fat" out of mothballs. And frankly, when I look around, I think that maybe some grade schools should do the same.
