I hate hate hate working out. In general. I have no will-power, never have. I used to work out, but that was back when I worked at a gym and it was free. Now that I’m actually paying for a membership, I rarely use it. What’s it been, seven months already? That was a waste of $150. Shoot. I would’ve been better off investing in yoga gear so I could at least fool people into thinking I work out. (A yoga mat can also double as a floor rug, people.)
Thing is, I hate being in a room with zillions of sweaty people. How many come there to exercise? I mean actually exercise. Maybe like five people in the room. (Neck-craning doesn’t count as exercise.) Everyone else is just ogling Spandex-covered butts. And I hate watching cable news shows on giant plasma screens when I’m pretty sure I just collapsed a lung. And I hate that stupid work-out music with the fake cheery 80’s beat. Nothing was cheery about the 80’s. It was all gloom and doom. Exercise is only fun when it’s really fun. Like beach-volleyball with your friends. Or a walk in the park.
But I’m starting to think regular exercise – gym or no gym – should probably be a priority at my age. Running to catch a bus, or sporadically riding my bike or walking to work don’t cut it. Not because I want to be super-skinny. I did that, and it didn’t involve exercise. It involved skipping meals. Not healthy. (And don’t get me started on good nutrition. I think nachos and popsicles = a balanced meal. Balance because I don’t have to use utensils.)
Here’s where blogger Philly Chit Chat aka HughE Dillon comes in. He’s currently participating in NBC 10’s “Be a 10 in 10 weeks.” And he is my hero. And he’s made me re-think how I live. And I hope he’ll make you think about your lifestyle as well.
On his blog, HughE writes:
“This has to be one of the hardest blog entries I’ve had to write …. I am used to covering other peoples lives, events and things happening in Philly. How did I get here, I often ask myself. No not how did I become the Philly Social Diarist/Paparazzi or any of my other identifying characters, but how did I get to be almost 300lbs.
I like food and although I would like to think I work out, I guess running after a celebrity or walking through the park with my camera can’t really be considered “Fat Burning” no matter how heavy my camera might be. I wasn’t an overnight success getting to this weight, it was a gradual trip through many Cheese steaks, Tastykakes and anything else that Jenny Craig wasn’t offering….
Although I exercised, I never learned to eat properly; I would go on the grapefruit diet, the cabbage diet, various programs etc but in the end put a piece of chocolate cake or pizza in front of me and it all went out the window.” [Read more here.]
HughE hopes to lose between 50-80 pounds as part of “Be a 10 in 10 weeks.” Check out the intro video.
And here’s a vid of the 3rd session.
I know what you mean. I have a Bally’s membership (3 year contract!) that I haven’t used since the first month I signed up. I just cannot get myself to the gym. The Eagles cheerleaders apparently go there, too. When that happens it’s like boner city there. I definitely need a home gym.
What about these simple solutions for exercise:
0: “beach-volleyball with your friends” the original listed by you!
1) Wash most of your clothes by hand- good arm, hand exercise.
2) knead dough (atta) by hand – hand, finger muscle workout
3) play soccer- leg exercise
4) bicycle regularly – leg
I hear you PG! I’m not a gym person either and I spent way too much money on unused memberships in the past. And then I realized there are other ways to work out: 3 friends and I are sharing a personal trainer, 3 times a week. She comes to us: no gym, no music (or whatever we’re in the mood to listen to), no flat screen TV and a very girly friendly time! My other fun workout sessions are boxing (Joltin’ Jabs in Manayunk) and of course dancing (we even have bikini boot camps at the dance studio!)
Working out is like a lot of other things in life: you have to look outside the box (and the gym).
I’ve never been to a gym, and I don’t plan on it! In the summer, I try to hang out with friends outdoors… I dance too, but a gym? never.
haha at the balanced meal requiring no utensils- I’m brown, technically NO meal requires utensils. I eat with my hands!
I hope this guy reaches his goal :)
“2) knead dough (atta) by hand – hand, finger muscle workout”
NS, you know I don’t cook rotis! Why would I knead atta, lol?
“Working out is like a lot of other things in life: you have to look outside the box (and the gym)”
Audrey, I’m loving your suggestions.
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