It's almost January. Which means that I, along with thousands of other people, have FITNESS on the brain. After months and months (and months) of being lazy and overstuffing myself with whatever foods were within grasp, I have decided (yet again) that it is time to get into shape.
And I need help to do so.
I don't know how he does it, or where he got this from in the family (maybe he's adopted?), but my brother is in awesome shape. Now, to be fair, we both have pretty good metabolism. But where that ends, my brother actually does what doctors and fitnes experts tell you to do... "eat less, move more." We used to go down to the office gym at lunchtime and work out together. But I get bored. I have 2 movies on my iPhone that I watch over and over (not going to mention which ones... you'll laugh at me. promise). And I have music to use, but can only listen to the same songs so many times on repeat. Ugh. So, I fail. My brother continues to work out downstairs, and when he doesn't do that, he bikes, runs, or when he's feeling lazy...at the bre minimum doesn't resort to the junk food like I do. Dangit. Willpower, where ARE you?
I won't make excuses here, but suffice it to say that I KNOW myself. And so, though my bro has offered yet again to head downstairs to train with me, I know it won't be enough. I get bored. (Not to mention that the place is tiny, and come January, I'll be fighting with all the other "new-years-resolution-to-get-fitters." Like me.
Looking into other options...
1. Walk the dog more. Okay, so I need to do this anyways, but more difficult in the wintertime, when my dog is just as hesitant to go outside as I am. And I don't relish the idea of taking a long walk in the dark, when coyotes and other creatures are known to roam nearby.
2. Wii Fit. Okay, okay... so not exctly a solid workout in itself, so I've been told. But it should be a great way to get me through the times when I'm feeling bored and/or lazy, and still make me move a bit, right? downside... $100 for the board and game. I've been told that there's an even better game out there which can actually be counted as a workout, but then again... there's another $50.
3. Gym at Condo. Kinda cool... a small workout room with everything in it to get fit. Pro: free. Con: sometimes too full to be able to use anything, and sometimes equipment is broken. Bummer. And again, the boredom thing. I can only work out for so long while staring at myself in a mirror. Blech.
3. Gym Membership. I haven't had a gym membership for nearly a year now. I got into the habit of going, and then I got lazy and stopped. Then I went again, and then found more excuses and stopped. Then I went again, and actually got really into it, but then a nearby gym got crowded and overflowed this one and I stopped going because it was always so crowded. (See a theme here?) But I have been thinking this over more, and this seems to be my best bet as a boredom buster. Pros: there are different routines I could do (in case certain equipment is being used), I'm not afraid of entering the free weight area (like most chicks seem to be), so I don't have to worry about overcrowding as much in there, and there are lots of different group exercise classes to choose from. Those always seem to keep me focused... as long as I go. Another plus: there are LOTS of different gyms locally to choose from, including one that is 2 minutes away from my house! And they've got a special deal going on right now (before 12/31), where there is no enrollment fee and no annual contract. Which means that if I change my mind (again), I can bail. Hmmmmm..... Cons: An extra $30/month. Which really isn't much to pay, if I actually USE the facilities. And the dog will be alone for more time at night, so I have to make up for that, too...
I'm going to head to the gym either tonight or tomorrow to check it out. But right now it seems to be my best bet in fighting the battle of the bulge. Anyone wanna weigh in on this?
I'm in the same boat... I've been thinking about getting back in shape because in all honesty, my self-esteem is tanking. I'm resolving to:
ReplyDelete1) Going to the gym before work.
2) Walking the dogs when I get home from work.
3) Cutting back on sugars and carbs.
With Chris getting ready to move to AZ, I'm debating whether or not to go back to Jenny Craig. It was just easier always having all my food and snacks planned out for me.
Did I mention that we're going to a wedding and his ex-wife and her skinny size 6 self will be there? Talk about motivation...
Maybe we should be check-in buddies!
"weigh" in... got it.. hee hee...
ReplyDeleteYour probably thinking.. ugh, why is she (Ms. Running in 20 degree weather) 2 cents.. but I wasn't always like this and frankly I seem to always be "starting" all over again.. and again... But I think, once you get over that "hump" (that hump, that lovely lady lumps) of doing what needs to be done.. the rest is like riding a bike (or in this case, riding a stationary bike, spin-class) oh lovin all this metaphoric exercise talk...
I started off.. well I'm always starting. but I made that concious decision back in April ? and did not know where to begin, but tanking down 4-5 cups of coffee and having all the sweets you can think of was not working for me.. I started out with an app for my iphone (Lose It) belive it or not.. it tracked all that i ate.. (yes monotonous, but well worth it in the end) I'm a very visual person to begin with.. and when I actually saw all that was going in my mouth, I think I made myself sick. LOL! Who knew one human being could consume so much sweets? (Hey don't judge it is my weak spot)... The point is.. baby steps
Then I made it a point to head to the gym.. that big building that seem all to intimidating.. I mean filled with military people and exercise gurus..
First stop.. eliptical. First thought, BORING.. and sorry.. to say it still is.. all the machines are just boring, my mind wonders too much..
Next step... the classes. Okay, this is where it got fun and challenging for me. I loved them (even though step aerobics) did not agree with my 2 left feet.. but turbo kick and turbo jam classes were FUN. Fell head over heels with spin though. Mainly because I've never done anything like, it kicked my butt.. but I wanted to kick it's butt more.. So this class soon became like this challenge (I created for myself, in my imaginary world) And I wanted to see.. if I could go uphills with the tension cranked up.. I wanted to see if I could hang with those guys that seem to be doing this for a while now.. and I wanted to see if I could do this hour class without dying at the end.. Then it came like a mini obSHELssion. I loved sweating like a pig after, I loved that I could "out-bike" the person behind me, for all I know I was the next spin-bad-ass :) LOL! (again only in my head)..
One thing rolls into another.. that spin class lead me to wanting to bike fo'real. That summer we made 10, 15, 20, 30 mile bike rides.. (hoo-rah)
And last but not least..
Running.
I have to say. I've always.. always hated running. I was that kid in school that made up excuses why I could not participate in PE stuff. (I got my period, I have a migraine, my dog died.. ) You name it.
But.. it was the one thing that made sense to me. I don't like stationary stuff, but will resort to them when need be.. I get bored easily.. but with running I can look around, think things that only I know what I'm thinking. (muah..)
And my journey with that started off really slow... I could barely run 2 minutes at once.. I had to run, jog, walk, hang on to my aching side pains..
But you build that endurance. And in time it will come.
I'm not sure what point I was getting to..
Is that we all gotta start somewhere..
And I'm a firm beleive that habits can form in just 21 days.. You stick to something that long.. it will become a part of you. to the point where you know your body is craving that feeling. that natural high.
the hardest part is that first step.
and you are there.. by deciding you want to do something.
and albeit.. we will all fall off that band wagon, (except your brother apparently) but we all get back on.
And this exercising thing.. it's no one shot deal, it's a lifestyle. a-do-something healthy for me everyday kind of thing.
Man I blab too much.
Too excited that you are blogging again.
And you know me.. blah, blah blah.
One day girl.. I am going to meet you.. and you are gonna wonder why the heck I talk so much!
~R