One of the strange reactions I had when Daniel joined the Marine Corps was that I felt embarrassed of my fitness level.
I had been choking down cigarettes for years. People who knew I was a professional ballet dancer for years thought it odd that I could actually dance all day and perform -- all the while sucking down nicotine.
My father loves to tell the absolutely exaggerated story of me scoring a goal in a high school soccer match with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth. Not true; I put it out right before scoring the goal.
Anyhow, Daniel’s signing on the dotted line did what my mother’s death from lung cancer couldn’t even do; I threw the damn cigarettes away.
I didn’t want Daniel to be embarrassed by his mom. Not that I hadn’t beat myself up over the years about it; my children were totally disgusted by my habit. I was, too -- I just couldn’t seem to kick it.
One and a half years ago, I did it. I quit the smokes and rededicated myself to a healthy lifestyle. It’s a battle. My after-40 body is sometimes laughing at me, I fear, as I try for one more crunch, one more push-up, one more squat.
Daniel told me in our last conversation that the Marine Corps has upped its body fat and fitness standards once again, and that he and another Marine are now leading their squadron to an even higher-level of chiseled perfection.
Awesome. For now, though, I’m happy with my fitness program. I just want to be around to play with grandchildren -- and be able to button my pants.
Tiffany
I had been choking down cigarettes for years. People who knew I was a professional ballet dancer for years thought it odd that I could actually dance all day and perform -- all the while sucking down nicotine.
My father loves to tell the absolutely exaggerated story of me scoring a goal in a high school soccer match with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth. Not true; I put it out right before scoring the goal.
Anyhow, Daniel’s signing on the dotted line did what my mother’s death from lung cancer couldn’t even do; I threw the damn cigarettes away.
I didn’t want Daniel to be embarrassed by his mom. Not that I hadn’t beat myself up over the years about it; my children were totally disgusted by my habit. I was, too -- I just couldn’t seem to kick it.
One and a half years ago, I did it. I quit the smokes and rededicated myself to a healthy lifestyle. It’s a battle. My after-40 body is sometimes laughing at me, I fear, as I try for one more crunch, one more push-up, one more squat.
Daniel told me in our last conversation that the Marine Corps has upped its body fat and fitness standards once again, and that he and another Marine are now leading their squadron to an even higher-level of chiseled perfection.
Awesome. For now, though, I’m happy with my fitness program. I just want to be around to play with grandchildren -- and be able to button my pants.
Tiffany
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To see and read about the individuals who sacrificed their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom,
Visit
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Around the military:
Around the military:
U.S. Army soldiers run arm in arm for support against the strong rotor-wash coming from a Chinook helicopter after preparing a concrete slab to be carried away during a sling load training session on Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 22, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew Cooley
U.S. Navy sailors break dance on the flight deck during a steel beach picnic aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the North Arabian Sea, Aug. 14, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ronald A. Dallatorre
U.S. Navy sailors assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet ceremonial band perform aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry in Sasebo, Japan, Aug. 23, 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl
A U.S. Navy sailor assigned to the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy lowers the national ensign during evening colors, signaling the end of the Mercy's first day in the Federated States of Micronesia, Chuuk State, Aug. 22, 2008. Mercy will perform humanitarian missions to build the relationship between Micronesia and the United States. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Valcarcel
Get fit for duty with the Pentagon Chanel's
"Bootcamp workout"
"Bootcamp workout"
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