Monday, August 26, 2013

Get Fit Attempt #1079

I have been a bit of a misery guts lately, luckily my latest get fit attempt has given me a good laugh.

A bit over a month ago I saw a flyer posted advertising a cheap 6 week membership for C*rves gym in the little town I am currently living in while I look after my mum. I have never had a desire to join C*rves, but I thought it might be a good way for me to get some exercise in while I am here. I normally find that when I am exercising it helps keep me positive and have a better focus on eating healthy.

So I made an appointment to go in for a consultation to get started. From the second I walked inside the 'gym' I felt like I had been transported back in time. I almost turned around and walked out the door when I saw the equipment. It was so old that I wasn't even sure it was safe. Generally I find that one of the only fun things about the gym is the cool space age equipment. So that was strike one.

I met the extremely enthusiastic and sweet owner who was going to get me started. I let her know that I had a long and troubled history with dieting and exercise and I didn't want to diet or be weighed. I could see she was immediately thrown when I said I didn't want to be weighed because I don't think she knew where else to focus our consultation. I also said I wasn't there to focus on losing weight and I just wanted to exercise for health and fitness. Unfortunately the consultant seemed to have a set spiel and didn't seem to be able deviate from her script.

So I sat through all her helpful tips on walking 10,000 steps per day, drinking 8 glasses of water, eating less than 1200 calories and keeping a food diary. Then she made me choose a size I would like to be and measured me to tell me how many centimetres I needed to lose to achieve this size. Of course she also tried to sell me their diet plan that would really help me lose weight. I am not sure what part of 'I am not here to lose weight' that she did not understand. Strike two.

So I got past all of that and just wanted to get on with working out. For those that don't know, the concept is that you work out at a high intensity for 30 seconds at each station and the workout is complete in 30 minutes. I actually don't mind the idea of this because it takes away the pressure to do a crazy long workout. Also, I hate exercise, so getting it done in half an hour is awesome for me.

The workout space is very small and cosy and the staff like to get right up in your business to encourage you while you are working out. They are asking you if you have had your 8 glasses of water today, standing beside you at every machine encouraging you to 'push out' and the final straw for me was when they introduced me to the other girls so we could chat while we worked out. This whole scenario is my worst nightmare. I can't handle anything more than a smile and a 'hello' as I am walking in the door of a gym. Call me unsocial, but I do not want people hovering over me while I workout and I especially don't want to chit chat with strangers. Strike three.

I lasted 4 sessions before I just couldn't bring myself to go back. So it's back to the drawing board...

12 comments:

  1. Ive had the same experience at Curves. But I get tempted to go back all the time- the members all seem so bouncy and happy. They must have had the kool-aid.

    In other news, I saw you at the footy a few weeks back. I work for the local paper, and was that annoying person handing out free papers. I was definitely too chicken shit to say hi, ive been reading you since the beginning etc, plus you and AJ looked to be in a rush. Anyway, I know you're having a shit-tastic time at the moment but if it helps, you were my celebrity sighting for the year. :)

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    1. LOL Cindy, you gave me a good laugh. Was that the St Kilda game? We were so lost and I was confused because we couldn't find our seats and my ankle was killing me from running all around the ground. We went to the game on the weekend too and managed to find our way much better, we are such idiots! Next time say hello please, I have been reading your blog for ages too and would love to say hi. :)

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  2. lol @ Cindy - you should have totally said hello to Tully. I have become such an exercise snob and the thought of a C*rves or C*ontours makes me cringe right now. You gave it a go though which is something. Good for you for refusing the weigh in and their diet too. Been thinking of you xx

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    1. I understand completely, I was being very polite in my post so as not to offend anyone that goes to those gyms, but it was not my cup of tea at all!

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  3. LOL @ Cindy too!!!

    Oh you poor love!! Hopefully at some point later you CAN laugh about it :0(

    Good luck with your next plan.........exercise bike in front of the telly???

    Been thinking of you heaps too. xoxoxoxoxo

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    1. OK Cat, that is freaky you suggest an exercise bike in front of the TV because tomorrow morning I am going to Aldi (they are having a special on exercise equipment) to buy one to ride while I watch TV at night. You are reading my mind!

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    2. Ha!!! that is gold!! I was going to suggest walking now the weather looks to be finally warming up but remembered your bloody foot!!! Catch up TV & cycling!! :0)

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  4. Yuck! Those places are the McDonalds of gyms aren't they. I couldn't think of anything worse than having to make polite conversation with a bunch of strangers.

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  5. Well, I had a completely different reaction to Curves and joined in 2004 and stuck with it for 9 years. Buuuuut, I made some good friends. We were all crazy morning exercise people and they made it all bearable. The things I liked about it was no men, no mirrors and just mindless exercising.
    http://www.thisonebody.blogspot.com/2011/04/7-years-ago-today.html

    But if I had YOUR experience, I would have walked away also. :(

    I recently quit Curves because I started working out with my huband at a REAL gym and am getting more of a workout doing that instead of 3-5x week a Curves. But I made some great friends and truly that made all the difference!
    http://www.thisonebody.blogspot.com/2013/05/heaps-of-randomness.html

    I think consistency is key...no matter what you decide to do, just keep doing it! Hugs!

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  6. Love how brave you were to say you didn't want to be weighed. It's hard to not get feel you 'should' be doing something different when a person is telling you how to eat/drink etc (when you usually know what works best for you anyway). Hasn't she heard of 'health at every size' ;)
    Have fun on that bike Sweet - just do what makes you happy and makes you want to move :)
    You are doing an amazing job with all that is going on in your life.
    Look after you - we're all here cheering you on! xx

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  7. ughh... I was actually only just today contemplating going to c#rves.... I think I will pass... I have never been a gym person but have a treadmill and an exercise bike and other gear... just need space to put them to be able to use them. I have just started back walking now it is lighter later. Good luck with the bike... hmmm if only I could FB while I ride...

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  8. I would have felt the same way! Glad you ain't going back.

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Awww thanks so much for the comment!