The Healthy Writer Blog

Have I Been Looking for Help or Excuses?

Posted by Sally Kilpatrick Dec 2 2011, 6:59 am in gym memberships, Sally Kilpatrick, Weight Watchers, wii

I’m seriously thinking about canceling my gym membership.

First, I don’t make it over there that often, and second I’m really beginning to get into some of my videos and Wii games. I used to think that exercise videos were all early Denise Austin and Richard Simmons’ Sweating to the Oldies, neither one of which ever did much for me. Now, I’m sitting here in a full body ache thanks to a Jillian DVD and the Wii Biggest Loser Game. (That said, I am still mad at you, virtual Bob Harper. I don’t know what that Wii remote told you, but I do not need to try harder. I was almost hyperventilating from the cardio, and I can hardly walk today. I think it was a good workout.)

Not only that, but there are so many other great things to try. I want to try kettle bells, pilates, and the Wii Zumba. I want resistance bands and to learn more about yoga. I can get these things at the gym, but in the time it takes to drive there and back, I could be done with a workout and in my own shower.

Not only that, but I have come to a sad realization: I use my gym membership and my Weight Watchers online memberships as an excuse. Well, surely, if I’m paying dues to these two organizations, I’m going to lose weight.

Um, no. Not so much. You see, you have to use them. The best part of Weight Watchers was the contact with people. Both of the nearest locations are now twice as far as the first one so that makes going to see the inspirational people far more difficult. The best part of the gym was the burn I got from lifting weights. I’ve since learned that lunges, squats, push-ups, and plank give me even more burn—and they can all be done in my own living room.

Most importantly, whatever happened to little girl who would stomp her foot and look up at her mother and say, “I can do it myself!”? When did she decide she had to have “help” to take weight off and keep it off? I’m afraid the honest answer to that question is when she decided she needed to make excuses so she could blame someone other than herself when she fell off the wagon.

Yep, I’m a bundle of sunshine, a real work in progress, but I’m taking ownership. I’ve already worked out twice this week despite a nasty sinus infection. I have plans to return to my 5K training in preparation for a January race. Most importantly, I’ve made some good eating decisions this week—and I don’t make those anywhere near as often as I should. But you know what?

*stomps her foot and screws up her face*

I CAN do it myself.

4 Comments

Comments

4 Responses to “Have I Been Looking for Help or Excuses?”

Noelle Pierce says:

December 2, 2011 at 7:26 am

You can do it! And I’ll be right here next to you. Virtually.

I haven’t tried the Wii Zumba, but I’ve heard mixed reviews. You can always rent it from Blockbuster or something, first. I’m eyeing a kickboxing one, from Gold’s Gym, I think.

Part of my issue with the gym is the time, but I also need the motivation to get out of the house. I have just about every exercise machine imaginable in my house, but all they do is collect dust because I can always find excuses not to use them, or to do something else. I only go the Biggest Loser Wii game so I’d have *something* when I travel (and the Wii goes with us…there’s a wireless sensor bar for less than $20), but have not used it at home. Yet.

We should start a twitter hashtag for virtual Wii exercise support.

Reply
- Sally Kilpatrick says:
  
  December 2, 2011 at 8:00 am
  
  A hashtag is not a bad idea. This is part of what’s going to be 2012′s resolution to take responsibility for my own actions whether that be health, housekeeping, or writing. It’s time to get my happy self in gear!
  
  Thanks for dropping by!
  
  Reply
Anna Sugden says:

December 2, 2011 at 11:44 am

Sally, we must be sisters under the skin! LOL

I have a similar attitude to joining a gym – though I don’t have a Wii (yet) to help me justify my thoughts. But we do have a lot of our own weights, bosu ball, pilates ball, punchbag and an elliptical. Plus I don’t like having to drive somewhere, work out, drive back (probably paying parking) when I can do it at home.

The only thing that I need to be careful about is the motivation and the diligence. I’ve found that setting a realistic goal for exercise at home is just as important, if not more so, than going out to a gym. There are more excuses and distractions at home.

Reply
- Sally Kilpatrick says:
  
  December 2, 2011 at 12:50 pm
  
  Too true, Anna, too true.
  
  Reply

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