Until this week I hadn't been to the gym since before Christmas. I just needed a break from it because I was seriously hating it. I even considered quitting the gym altogether, but those pesky contracts you sign really lock you in tight. I wouldn't mind keeping my membership and going occasionally, but for $90 a month, it just seemed like way too much money when I am on a tight budget. I also discovered there is a bigger, better, cheaper gym with a pool that is closer to my house. Fuck it.
Oh well, I am stuck with the gym I have, so I decided I better god damn use it because it pains me to think of that money going down the drain. So I went back and it was OK and I felt better after my workout. I wouldn't go so far as to say that I enjoyed it because I also feel better after I vacuum and do the dishes, it doesn't mean I enjoy those those tasks either.
My gym workouts usually consist of the treadmill, elliptical, bike and weights, so you can see how that would get boring after 18 months. I have tried a few classes but I think I am the only person in the world not motivated by them. I actually find most of the instructors really annoying because I don't care to hear about their love-life, what they are having for dinner or watching on TV and please stop bloody singing in the microphone while I am trying to workout! Also, the last class I tried was a boxing circuit and the trainer wouldn't let me leave the class until I could do a proper push-up. Thanks for that humiliation, just what I needed in my first class.
So I will keep going to the gym, at least until my membership expires in August, but I'll just do my own workouts with my own music. I won't go quite as often as I used to, I'll be realistic and just go about twice a week and continue to do my walks by the river as well (approx 5 km 2-3 times a week). I am focusing on balance this year and I think that is a good mix for health, happiness and weight loss.
Also, just a weird observation about the gym... I have noticed that nearly all my overweight friends have gym memberships but my skinny friends don't. In contrast to that, when I am at the gym I am (more often than not) the fattest one there. Confusing.
I agree with you. Im not skinny (yet) but im all for no gym. I don't need that extra guilt. Plus I prefer being outside.
ReplyDeletegreat job on going and continuing your journey, you're doing great!
I saw you walking by the river!! I thought ... I know that person ... The realized you were from blogland.
ReplyDeleteI say, do what works for you!!
Cheers, Bec
I h8 when they sing out of tune into the mic too! My LEAST fave part - and everytime i laugh out loud - can't help it.
ReplyDeleteI don't enjoy gym work outs either. I prefer walking and riding my bike. If I had the money to go to a gym, I'd probably go twice a week too. That's about as much as I could tolerate!
ReplyDeleteOh my god, I've poured so much money into wasted gym memberships. Thousands, I reckon.
ReplyDeleteIf you've got a good GP, all you need is a doctor's note and you can get out of your contract and move to the closer, cheaper gym. Also, most gym contracts let you put them on hold for a while. You could do that while you're rethinking your exercise situation, while saving $90 a month for other things.
Gym guilt is terrible! I hope you feel better about it soon.
V.
Oh I am totally with you on this one. I used to love going to the gym, enjoying classes and doing the cross trainer - but that was about 5 years ago!! I am still clinging on to some faint hope that I will develop a miraculous addiction but you know what, I think I am totally past it. I would much rather go for a walk or something like that. My current membership expires in June and I will definitely be quitting when that time comes!
ReplyDeleteI think balance is the key -- and if you force yourself to go too much then you'll end up resenting it and not going at all.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think the boxing circuit trainer was a twat and you should make an official complaint about them, you don't pay that money each month for someone to humiliate. Grr!
So yes, your plan sounds good -- a healthy mix of gym and the outdoors, in the fresh air.
LOL the singing while instructing a class is bloody annoying!!!!! I can only do classes when I find an instructor I like. BTW that gym close to home is really good - I used to be a member there, but was a bit far from home when I stopped training with my gym nazi mate to make it worth the money, but it does have awesome facilities!!!!
ReplyDeleteDo what works for you - if you end up hating it you won't go at all: some is better than none!!!
Gah... when I teach my classes, I totally sing!! It's my way of trying to tell my members, "We *can* have a good time while we're here, it's not all punishment!"
ReplyDelete