For a good portion of my life I was fairly allergic to exercising. I would go on the occasional hike, do some yoga, and every once in a while go for a jog. Then a time would come when I would be determined to get in shape. It would last maybe a month or two and then become dormant until the next flash of inspiration. Well, for the last four months I've stopped my sneezing and sniffling toward working out. I think that this time it may actually stick. I've discovered that there is nothing more exhilarating than running further than I ever have before or pushing my limit in spin class. Training for a half marathon has given me a goal I never thought plausible. Growing up asthmatic often put a damper on heavy exercise. Now I've gone from hating running to craving it. The benefits of exercise are clear, yet we often neglect the negatives.
Rolling out of bed at 5:30 to make it to spin class is less than thrilling. Stiff calves from running are a literal pain but the absolute worse part of exercise is the increase in laundry. I realize that most of the people in my life are busy doing laundry on a daily basis because they have kids. However, doing more than a couple of loads a week is a major annoyance to me. Daily workouts mean stinky clothes that demand my attention. They're also picky and need to be hung to dry. Someone should really invent workout clothes that can sustain multiple wearing before washing. It sounds gross but would be really convenient.
Let's hear them... pros and cons of exercise. Is it love/hate, just love or just hate?
Christmas Festivities
8 years ago
12 comments:
I'm lazy about exercising...well, fairly lazy, but I love to work out. I love that endorphin rush. I don't mind too much the sweat factor-especially out here, as long as I'm not wearing too much cotton.
One of my favorite parts of working out is the fact that every time I go, I see the same people, day or night. There is one guy that ALWAYS is talking to girls and is clearly there for that purpose only. Honestly. I've watched him for an entire hour several times, he'll get on a machine for 10 min. to get sweaty then he'll go talk to girls. Repeat, repeat, repeat. He is affectionately known by me as "the goober" and I look forward to see him every time I go...that and all the naked Asians in the lockeroom.
The goober is one of those guys that Dane Cook talks about that would make out with himself if he could.
I started doing some running recently as well. I decided I'd drag my brother into it as well so I wake up at 6 and go to his house for a run. It doesn't suck as much as I remembered. I'll see how long the running thing lasts but the exercise thing has been happening for a while. Also, thanks Replica Watch Collection man. It is always so nice to see some new blood. And being so devoted to a cause ... inspiring. I don't want to speak for Aisy but I sure hope we can have more contributions.
I'm really excited for you to do a half marathon. That totally rules. My pal Whorehouse Lucky Nick is running a marathon on my wedding day, which is totally a good excuse for getting out of helping on anything. He also doesn't usually wash his workout clothes between runs and has been known to blow his own snot on his shirt. That's totally punk rock. For reals.
I like the bike ride, I like the dancing to punk rock, I like the playing the punk rock, I like the soccer (and yet I don't ever go play on Sundays), I like the digging in the earth with a shovel, I'd like to like Yoga, but I can never do the workout thing.
I'm impressed when anyone can, though.
I am of the opinion that gym clothes can and should be worn several times before washing. Even socks.
The benefit of outdoor exercise is that you're airing out the clothes even as you dirty them. The benefit of the gym is you can watch Jeopardy while exercising. Either way, I'm starting with a clean t-shirt like,once every three times.
Also - - I may be the only person I know who does not enjoy listening to music while running. Thought I'd put that out there...
Exercising in my mind is walking across the street to get a coke, but I recently got a new job, which I have to walk to. so I now get to walk 15 min. to work and 15 min. back which is more exercise than I have done in years. Plus I go get a soda every day. The hardship life puts you through...
okay, jane and wln need some tips on cleanliness. i smell sickly enough after one wear, but jane... three??? i don't care if you just turned 26, that's still no reason for it.
the goober is hilarious. for reals? i don't even look at the guys when i'm working out, i'm not quite sure how i would respond if one tried to approach me.
bryce, i'm with you... the watch replica dude is so insightful.
A huge con to excercise for me is the bulging muscles in my legs from biking that cause me to rip my spandex as I climb the hill from downtown on my way home from work.
The other con is having to play dodge-car (and the odd time losing) while I get my excercise.
for my pro, i say getting up at 6AM and running my daily five. sure its only 4 miles but it feels like five most days. it's a great jump start to accomplishing more than i normally would and my brain is razor sharp (okay, more like a dull spoon).
i also have to admit i'm with jane on the multiple wearings but mine is mostly laziness. however, i'm still standing by my theory that it serves as a defense mechanism. sure,i run at 6AM but you never know some people may get up that early to go assulting... but hey, its better to be safe than... well okay, eaten by the only other thing on the trail at that time...a rogue coyote.
hmm, i may have to rethink that.
So my exercise regime has changed over the ages and stages of my life. A couple seasons ago I was all about running outside, and late at night as that was the only time I had someone to watch my kids. But then I stopped that after a few women were snatched while running outside at night.
My latest is going to the gym which serves at least three purposes:
1. My kids go to the day care where someone else watches them for an hour at a mere $2.00/hour/kid and I get a break from them.
2. My kids get a break from me!
3. oh, and I get some exercise.
One time when leaving the gym one of the workers commented to me saying "why do you come HERE to lift weights?" as she was looking at me carrying my baby in her infant carrier, AND my cranky 2 year old! I had to refer her to reasons one and two!
I enjoy exercising in the morning as it gives me a boost for the day. At night, it just causes me to stay up later than I already do.
I enjoy doing circuit cardio between the bike machine, running and rowing. One of my favorite parts of the rowing machine is when guys think they are being cool and sit down at the machine next to me to show off. Nearly every time the guy doesn't really know how to row and I laugh at him (on the inside of course). Little do they realize I used to row competitively in college. On Saturday, I decided to slow my stroke/minute down to match the guy next to me and I could tell it irritated him as his stroke got even more erratic and less fluid and he would try to speed up. I would just continue matching him. Maybe this is a good indicator as to why I am still single?
The sweating is both a pro and con. I love it when I get a really good sweat, but I hate that my face gets all blotchy and red whenever that happens. I also hate doing laundry. As with all clothes, if I sweat and the clothes start smelling that is when I was them, otherwise, they can remain ready for another day.
pros... you ALWAYS feel good about yourself afterwards.
you can wear scandalous scalloped shorts that the g's normally prevent...
cons... you feel fat if you don't.
like tonight.
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