CALORIE WARS - Segment 5 (Scroll down for earlier segments)     


     During the brief time you’re actually standing upright on the skis, you’re taught how to move smoothly over the snow, using the “slide and glide” method.  I found I was much better at the “split and sit.”

     One note of caution:  Never accept any flattery, such as “You’re doing very well,” while standing in the upright position.  This is cause for an immediate “split and sit.”

     You’re also given two poles with your skis.  They are perfect for getting started.  You stick them into the ground (preferably, one on each side of you), lean forward, give a push, and you’re off.  You’ll be amazed at how a small decline in slope, barely detectable with the naked eye, will make you feel like you’re going full speed down the side of a mountain.  This is the time to get rid of your poles.  In the lessons, they tell you to use your poles to slow down.  That’s a lie.  Drop them. You’ll need both hands free for grabbing branches, people, or anything else to help break your speed.  See you at the bottom.

     During your final lesson, you learn how to get up since, next to stopping, this is what you spend most of your time doing and, next to stopping, it’s the most difficult.  In fact, the trail is still littered with many of last winter’s skiers who were never able to get up.

     Cross-country skiing proved to be a terrific weight-loss program.  I found I could burn up several hundred calories just trying to stand up.  Once I got going, the calories were jumping off my body, probably out of fear.

     “What am I going to do when I can’t cross-country ski?” I wondered.  Then I remembered that the CDC (Center for Disease Control) had just come out with a report saying adults weren’t exercising enough.  I decided to look at their recommendations.  After all, I wanted to be on the cutting block, I mean, cutting edge of something, anything!


To be continued...check back soon