Unconventional Weight Loss Plans

One of my, and probably many others', New Year's Resolutions is to drop those extra pounds I've been toting around since 2011. I have been using the treadmill at Greg's house which has been tolerable, but I don't have one at my house, so I need to come up with a regime for when I'm home. I like to multitask, so I was thinking to myself, "How can I make the most of my exercise time?" The solution, of course, was to learn some history at the same time which I can turn-key to my lovely readers. Read on to discover some of the more unconventional weight loss plans...


Let's be honest here, fat is a 21st century problem. Believe it or not, women used to complain about being skinny.

Alas, if only I could GAIN 10 pounds!

Yeah, suddenly, I'm not the only girl wishing for a time machine. Anyway, decades ago, people were skinnier. I'm a big believer in the invention and availability of automobiles being a big contributor to that. If you had to walk or even ride a horse everywhere, you'd be a lot skinnier too. So, Unconventional Weight Loss Plan #1: Ditch the car. For some people, this is pretty easy to do; for others, not so much. I, for one, live off a major highway so walking is easier said then done. When I lived in Gettysburg, I used to walk EVERYWHERE and I was in the best shape of my life. Moved back to New Jersey and kissed those days goodbye.

Weight loss doesn't have to be miserable, look at all the fun things oldey-time folks did that helped keep them skinny! I've been thinking about adding a new era to Mary's Historical Programs, so how about a nice Flapper impression? Yes, I am thinking of Charleston-ing my way thin:

That is a full-body work out right there. Here is a more modern (read: clearer) version:

And oh, yes, there are You Tube videos to teach it. Unconventional Weight Loss Plan #2: Dance it Off!


I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a hungry girl. I am completely incapable of dieting. I feel like once I establish this, I can learn to work with it. Everybody has their weakness, maybe yours is butter or cheese, here's Unconventional Weight Loss Plan #3. Get rid of your weakness and only eat what you make. There are directions to make your own butter, cheese, even chocolate. Double perk, you get to eat what you want and you can burn the calories while you try your darndest to make it.

Going hand in hand with making your own food, you can always do Unconventional Weight Loss Plan #4: Go Green! Why not hand wash your own laundry? Really scrubbing your clothes on a washboard can really work your arms. Hand wash dishes, grow and maintain your own vegetable garden, walk (as aforementioned) and get creative!