I’m a quitter
Confession time.
Despite my great intentions when I joined the gym last October, I had to face some cold hard truths in December and force myself to go to the gym reception desk and sign a quitter’s notice. Well I think officially they call it a “cancellation notice”, but the receptionist’s eyes clearly said “quitter”.
Thankfully the gym I joined back in October offers a rolling monthly membership, so when I caught the ‘flu in December and when after a week it became obvious to me that I would be a while recovering, I was able to cancel my membership. I promised myself that it would be temporary and that I’d join again in January when I felt better.
Then I found out that I may potentially be traveling a lot with work in the early part of this year, and my resolve to rejoin the gym crumbled. The nagging voices in my head are just too loud with their plausible excuses: “January’s a terrible month in the gym – all those New Year’s resolution people.” “You’ll be away too much to get any real use out of it, and it’ll just be a waste of money.” “You’ve still got a cough – you’ll just make yourself sick again. Cough. Cough.”
Whatever excuse I decide to go with, the end result is the same. I’m back to sitting on the couch in the evenings, NOT getting fitter. Time for a new plan.
Any suggestions? Motivational speeches are welcome!
Go outside and walk or run. And don’t tell me its raining, that’s why rain jackets were invented. Failing that walk up and down the stairs 50 times a day.
It sounds easy when you put it like that Anthony, but the truth is that by 8pm, when I’ve been up since 6, and busy all day, if it’s raining outside, there’s no way I’m going to be enticed to put on a rain jacket and go running in the dark. I have to be realistic about what I can possibly motivate myself to do as well. And running in the rain is not on the list, I don’t think!
30 day shred DVD, it takes less than 30 minutes, you can do it at home and all you need is a matt & small hand weights
I think a DVD is a good idea Julie. I still have the kettlebell workout and DVD that I got and never used last year. Maybe it is time to dust it off again.
I was a gym member for years and even used to go regularly (2-3 times per week). But I’m far fitter now because I walk from home to the train and then from the station to work – 45 minutes a day, five days a week. It’s walking I have to do anyway, so with comfy shoes and an iPod, it’s my exercise too. And it’s free! Is walking to the train an option for you? If not, a few DVDs at home to mix things up and keep it interesting is another idea.
I drive to and from work Sara, which I think is part of the problem. An average of 2.5 hours a day spent sitting in traffic.
Couch to 5k!
You knew I was going to say that, right?
I did enjoy it when I tried it before Ray. But I honestly don’t think it would work for me now – maybe when it’s bright in the evenings again, but running in the dark would scare me rather than appeal to me!
Yoga for dummies dvd. The full thing takes an hour but once you know the exercises you can do it in 20 mins. In the comfort of your own home. And it really does make a difference – promise.
Thanks Kate – good idea. I did a lot of yoga while I was pregnant, and even some afterwards, but I’ve fallen out of the habit of it. I did enjoy it though.
Well that’s the only way to crack it – you’ve got to enjoy it or you’ll never so it. Good luck!
get on the wii fit, it’s a good craic and you’ll feel the different
You know, we had one before, but sold it after I logged in one day and it told me “it has been four hundred and something days since you were last here.” A quick calculation told me that was over a year, and so I sold it. But I’m sorry I did now.
Oh those compelling nagging voices. January is a hard month to start something because all we want to do is hibernate. I agree with your other comments, DVDs are great because you can at least stay at home, then when the weathers warmer you can think about outside exercise or joining a gym and you’ll have at least started a little bit. It’s my plan anyway.
By the way, if you’ve got chance pop over and link this up to my Tuesday Tea and Sympathy blog hop. Its open all week and comes with virtual tea!
http://1978rebecca.blogspot.com/2012/01/tuesday-tea-and-sympathy-blue-monday.html
Thanks Rebecca. Sounds like a good plan!
By the way, if you’ve got chance pop over and link this up to my Tuesday Tea and Sympathy blog hop. Its open all week and comes with virtual tea!
http://1978rebecca.blogspot.com/2012/01/tuesday-tea-and-sympathy-blue-monday.html
Ring a friend and go for a brisk walk
Start by deciding when you are going to have the time to exercise. Will it be just the weekends? Will you be able to set aside 40 minutes or so on a weekday evening?
And then the kind of fitness you want – strength and toning or cardio?
Exercise dvds are grand if you want strength stuff, not so good for cardio. Derval’s done loads of them, and other workout plans – I could ask her for recommendations for a beginner if you like? They’re short enough that you can do them in the evening in 30-40 minutes.
They won’t really help with cardio fitness though, for that you’d need to run, swim, cycle, something like that.
You could always do strength stuff midweek and run/go to the pool on the weekend…
Time to lose a few blog posts a week and gain a few exercise hours instead maybe? Jeez, working is really interfering with my free time! 😉