Thoughts from a gym-goer
May 19th, 2007 at 2:47 pm (Physical)
Any or all of these may turn into their own entries in the future, but here are some thoughts that go through my head at the gym:
- The Treadmill Threshold: That magical moment when my legs turn from lead to wings.
- The Time Factor: How long it really takes to go to the gym, and how realistic it is (or isn’t).
- The iPod Problem: How to pack a range of songs wide enough to speed me along in work chores (Johnny Cash, Ani DiFranco), to commute to and fro (James Taylor, Brandi Carlile), and to actually want to feel the burn at the gym (Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, SHUT UP)? Unfortunately for me, the answer may be to get a bigger iPod. I really thought 8 gig would be enough, but it’s not even close.
- The Big Question: Really, why do I care so much about what other people think of me?
- The Rewards System: There are lots out there to choose from…
- The Personal Trainer Envy: And why I hope writing down numbers on a calendar will do.
- The Talk Radio Effect: When catching up on podcasts really is better than the Black Eyed Peas.
- The Perfect Playlist: And how to chase it.
- The First Class: My YMCA offers all sorts of “group exercise classes,” but is there one that could fit my needs and my schedule? I’m hoping for a low-intensity, unintimidating, attainable routine led by an instructor who wants to nurture me, hold my hand, and never make me cry. Maybe I’m asking too much…
- The Public Pool Pregunta: And, beyond swimsuit terror, what do we think about water aerobics?
Hilly said,
May 20, 2007 at 4:39 pm
I’d probably use a public pool specifically geared for working out but never for a “free swim”. I’ve finally learned that everyone else at the gym is too busy worrying about what everyone thinks about THEM rather than thinking about me. I am not sure that would hold true at a free swim, however ;)
Lori W. said,
May 20, 2007 at 8:53 pm
1. It took me a long time to get from lead to wings. I’ll have to restart from scratch once I can use the treadmill. I’m not looking forward to restarting from zip.
2. Time to go to the gym; for me the biggest aggravation was finding a parking space that was safe and near the door. Then finding a treadmill that’s free. But I only went for like 20 minutes on aerobic stuff, maybe longer when I swam.
3. If you’re using an ipod, why not make up some playlists for work, gym, commute and just scroll down to that? If it’s a shuffle, maybe you can switch shuffle music from work to gym (go to your work computer, switch it there, etc.)
4. Perhaps it’s because so many of us are not comfortable at the gym; it’s not a natural place for us to hang out and we feel fraudalent going into a gym weighing as much as we do. We may also feel that we stick out literally like a sore thumb among the tiny people (I worked out at an university so we did have sticks at the gym) and if there’s guys there, there’s the embarassment of guys seeing us.
5. Sounds good and promising!
6. Personal trainer envy; I’d like to have one too. I spent money on a private swimming coach because, well, I stink at swimming. Best chunk of change I’ve spent to be honest. Maybe you should consider a private coach for some sport that you’d like to learn. Besides posting numbers, buy some pretty or funny stickers and put them on the days you go to the gym. It will make you feel good to see visible signs that you did go to the gym.
7. I like podcasts. Did you know you can get stuff from NPR on podcasts?
8. Sounds like #1. ;-)
9. If you get a trainer, ask them what they recommend. Find out which classes look interesting and sort of hang out and see who goes to them. You might find some other big women in there and that might give you the confidence to try the class.
10. Water aerobics. The city used to have easy water aerobics. The University has water aerobics classes by chipper young things and I swear my knees were killing me then. I don’t think I can take it now with falling and hurting my knee. There’s also deep water aerobics if you swim or do not have a fear of water. That’s supposed to be easier on joints. I liked the city water aerobic programs but the school one was hard for me (at least the first half — the second half wasn’t bad at all). YMMV.
Hilly’s right about everyone always worries about themselves instead of looking at others. (OK, I did comment about the guy who came to the pool with duct tape on his swimsuit but I think anyone else would have too.) I spent the last two summers taking swimming classes and was always mostly surrounded by tiny, tiny girls, Asian families and other really small people or nice looking 20 something guys. I died a few times of embarassment but then I got over it. Honest. I have the jiggliest thighs in the water. You could drown being mesmerized by their jiggliness. But I don’t care. Go for it.
Deirdre said,
June 10, 2007 at 11:39 am
I go to Curves which ten minutes from home, and where I don’t feel self concious because they’re all pretty much the same age and shape I am. I also walk on a boardwalk about ten minutes from home. I make it almost as easy to go exercise as it is to stay home. I’ve done water aerobics and enjoyed it. I liked the daytime class which was mostly retirees, and I was the youngest person in the class. No need to feel self concious among that bunch. Still, I prefer being able to exercise whenever I want rather than having to conform to someone else’s schedule.