Tuesday night I braved the overcrowded gym to try and workout. The place was packed. First off the parking lot was a madhouse. I finally parked and headed inside to more throngs of people everywhere. It was so crowded it was almost difficult to just walk around people.
I had very little hope that I’d get in a workout but I decided to give it a try. I changed and headed to the cardio room. Lucky for me I found a free treadmill! Miracle! I claimed it and started my run. I warmed up walking for 5 minutes and then started to jog.
My run was bipolar at best. It started out rocky. I was having weird pains and aches in both legs, ankles, shins…they were all weird sensations I never really had before. I started to feel depressed. I was ready to give up and announce “I’m Quitting Running” when I reached about .91 miles and suddenly the discomfort was gone. Was it just the aches and pains of warming up? Who knows.
My moods swung in the opposite direction and I was immediately elated that I could run with no pain. In fact, I increased the speed because it felt BETTER to run faster!
I was nearing the end of my run and thankfully so because Guy With Too Much Cologne got on the treadmill next to me. And on my right was a woman shouting into her cellphone. Ugh. Bad gym etiquette people!
I completed 3 MILES for the first time since September when I injured myself after Hood to Coast. I cooled down with a walk and then headed down to the weight room.
I was happy to see the crowds had thinned out a bit. I was able to get in a decent upped body weight routine in without any problems or annoyances.
Gym Stats:
Time: 1:33
Calories: 683
I was feeling energized and happy with my workout as I headed home. I was feeling good about running 3 miles! Michael and I had blackened salmon for dinner.
I topped our salads with the cooked salmon. My salad was green leaf lettuce with celery, carrots and croutons. Michael’s salad was spinach, mushrooms, celery and carrots.
Dinner was great and I ate every last bit of it. Most of the time I save half the salmon for lunch the next day but I was famished. I suppose that has something to do with running more.
After dinner we watched the Anthony Bourdain holiday special (I know, a little late) and split the last of the Christmas cookies.
Yeah…I’m not doing so great with the “eat less sugar” thing…At least not right now. I’m working on it.
QUESTION: Why do you think the January newbies at the gym drop out within a month or two? I find the concept fascinating and wonder why they don’t stick with it.
Sheri
Congrats on the 3-miler! 🙂 I totally hate the “Resolutioners” at the gym this time of year. Last year, I saw an old guy using one of the weight machines wearing khaki pants and a Cosby-style sweater! Needless to say, I never saw him again. 🙂
Lisa Eirene
Hahaha that’s the best! I love the old dudes in the short shorts too. Yuck. 🙂
I commend the newbies trying to get fit….I just get annoyed at the crowds and the lack of common sense gym etiquette!
Kristina @ spabettie
because they “resolve” to do something, and the gym is part of that something, in the new year – with the best intentions, of course.
much of the reason I don’t really “do” resolutions… when I want to DO something, I don’t wait for a new year or specific date.
waiting until the New Year to make resolutions is more about making the resolution than the commitment, for most. for some, it works, but it is the exception, which is why the gym is back to normal after a couple months!
Lisa Eirene
Agreed Kristina. When I decided to get healthy I did in August–I didn’t wait until January. If I had I might not have done it!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
Tina from Carrots n Cake called them :”January Joiners” today and I loved it. I think people start off the year with good intentions, but you have to make a long term commitment to be able to go to the gym throughout the year and not just in the hyped up time during the new year or right before the summer.
Lisa Eirene
Haha that’s funny. I love that name.
Becky
HAPPY THREE MILES!! YAY! I’m so excited for you. You have such dedication to the program to get healed correctly. That takes patience and determination. I’m proud of you!
Lisa Eirene
Thanks Becky! I’m pretty happy about my 3 miles!
Lisa
I know what you mean!! My first 1km or so of a run is always TERRIBLE! I find that I dont normally get completely in my groove until the 5km mark (which is a problem if I am running only 5km that day hehe)
Jill E.
i was discussing with my fiance 1. the amount of money they gym must make and 2. what the percentage of drop off rate it through out the year. i agree with kristina no reason to wait for the new year anytime of the year is a good time to start exercising.
Lisa Eirene
I was wondering that too, Jill…do the New Year’s Resolutioners pay for a year upfront? That’s a lot of money to quit after a month!
Lori
Yay that the run got better and that you did 3 miles!
I truly think the reason people quit is because they go all out with diet and exercise in January and just burn out. If you ease in and build up, you are more likely to stick with it.
Lisa Eirene
That’s an excellent observation Lori…when I first started I actually started swimming 3x a week before I ever tried to tackle the food part. I knew I’d be overwhelmed (and I was procrastinating to be honest) but once I started doing both the food and exercise part the weight came off.
There Are No Place-Backs At The Gym » 110 Pounds and Counting
[…] there’s the guys that wear too much cologne and sweat it all out. And my biggest pet peeve are the people that never wipe down the machines […]