Ah, exercise. It’s one of those things like marmite that you either love or hate. I absolutely love it. I love how it makes you feel (although for me that’s always just after I’ve finished, definitely not at the time) and I love how it changes your body shape when you’ve been doing it regularly for a while. I tend to go through phases of doing tons of exercise followed by phases of doing bugger all because for some reason I think that once I’ve got to how I want to be I can cut right back. I’m sure I could, if only I didn’t eat so many pies and cakes, drink so much tasty beer and think of “cutting right back” as “stopping all together”. I’m my own worst enemy.
One thing I don’t love about exercise, however, is how I look immediately after because you can definitely tell that I’ve been doing it. My face is usually purple, my hair is soaked with sweat and dripping, I look an absolute mess. Even when I’m at my fittest and slimmest I still sweat like a fat bird and it doesn’t help that my exercises of choice are running and spinning. So I would like to know why it is that there are women in the gym who seem to be putting in as much effort as I am yet look fresh as a daisy at the end of their workouts? And why do they all have much nicer exercise gear than me?
And what about those orange women who turn up in full faces of make-up? Why on earth are they paying £50 a month to half-heartedly fanny about on the cross trainer for 10 minutes? Could it be that they’re making eyes at the meatheads over by the free weights? Or hoping to pick up a personal trainer?
I don’t go to the gym any more, partly because of the cost, partly because of the annoying women and partly because I got really fed up every Monday, especially at the beginning of the year, when hundreds of extra people turned up and used all the machines or took all the places in the classes. It was frustrating that those of us that were there week in week out got no privileges for loyalty and I remember being so annoyed one evening that the spinning class I usually attended was already full half an hour before it started that I went home without doing anything, via the chippy. Of course these New Years Resolution types are exactly the kind of people the gym owners love. They turn up every day for 2 weeks then never go again, but are stuck in a year’s contract that they probably forget to cancel at the end. Score.
Luckily for me running is something you can do without gym membership. I much prefer road running but am pretty limited at the moment thanks to my pesky daughter so run at home on our treadmill. It can be very boring and is hard to stay motivated so I watch TV programmes while I’m doing it and at least in the comfort of my own home no-one can see me in my ridiculous get up, including clown style running shoes that are 2 and a half sizes bigger than my feet. Curse these stupid long narrow feet.
Over the years I’ve found it’s important to have something to aim for so this year I’m running the Race for Life in July (5k) and then the Great South Run in October (10 miles). I’ve done them both before and am hoping to get round in good times. My main aim is losing the vast amount of weight I put on during my difficult 3rd pregnancy and I can’t quite believe how long it’s taking. But I will get there and since I’m running both races for charidee mate hopefully I’ll do some good as well.
And if you’d like to sponsor me do please feel free 
Race for Life is for Cancer Research:
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/fionaflaherty
I’m running the Great South for the NSPCC:
http://www.justgiving.com/fionaflaherty1
There’s a very fetching picture of me on there. Go on, dig deep!
I hate exercise. Always have. But recently I’ve got a bit chubby and my favourite jeans are a dim and distant memory, so I’ve bitten the bullet and joined the gym. I’m going body balance and yoga classes and to my surprise I’m actually enjoying them. I’m starting to see some muscle definition now and i love it. I just need to convince myself to add some form of cardio in now to help burn that excess flab! Oh, and cut back on the biscuits and cake. Shame my husband’s recently discovered a love of baking!
I’m not as fit as I should be, or would like to be, but once I get into the exercise groove I DO enjoy it.
My main issue – apart from those intimidatingly body-perfect gym bunnies and the cost of membership – is finding the time. I work 8-9 hours every day, and need 2-3 hours to travel to and from the office every day, including waiting for the always unreliable bus, and I have a son I want to spend at least a bit of time with. So, slotting in some “me time’ at the gym is really not a practical goal. Nor is getting a treadmill at home cos, frankly, we don’t have the dosh (or the room).
But what I HAVE been doing for the past month or so is to make myself go for a longish walk (an hour or more) at a brisk pace around our rather pleasant Athens suburb. I know it’s not running a marathon, but it’s certainly better than sitting on my bum watching Desperate Housewives. And when you traipse halfway up a mountain (admittedly a small one) at midday with the thermometer showing 30 degrees C+, like I did on Sunday, believe me the sweat comes pouring off. There were some pretty spectacular views and the chance to do get my head cleared of the usual daily rubbish too.
Hey, I never claimed to be an athlete – but I’m trying!
Good luck with your runs. I shall see if I can dig into the plastic to sponsor you – both charities are seriously good and important causes, after all.
M.
Ha ha ha omg that is sooo funny, I absolutely hate exercise, I feel as I walk at least five miles a day at work, what is the point in doing any extra’s at home, and as the weight seems to be falling off me at present I’m certainly not going to try and do anything else lol….
But!!! I do feel guilty some days for not doing anything, and wish there was something a lil easier than running, I really DO NOT have the physique for running either indoors or out for that matter….
If you have any ideas of an enjoyable regime I could take up, they would be gratefully received…
Am loving reading your blog and look for updates everyday….Keep it going it’s fantastic xoxoxo
I never thought I would say it but I really miss regular exercise, being heavily pregnant and regular cardio don’t mix sadly.
Totally agree about the goals, if you don’t have an agenda you can put off exercising in favour of pies very easily.
I have never been comfortable exercising in public so am glad I have gym equiptment in my home, good job too as “soon to arrive small person” can sit and laugh whilst watching me regain the shape I had before they bent me all out of shape and made me forget what my knees look like !