So, I work out now like four times a week. THAT IS SO CRAZY. I’m such a lethargic person at my basest level. I love movies and napping and reading and meditation and deep thinking and nothing at all that involves moving one’s ass. Sure, I burn calories at work, walking and heaving buckets of ice and teetering trays every day, but my body has grown accustomed to that activity. Going to work every day is not exercise, since I’ve adapted to that level of movement after eight years of it in a row.
I was thinking about this because of Ariel’s posts (1, 2) about deciding to move to a standing desk at work. While everyone in internet land knows that Ariel is way hottt, she’s been concerned about what she feels are extra pounds. Despite her stair running and hooping and wedding planning, she hasn’t seen a change in her weight.
I find it weird how quickly the human body adapts to the level of exercise it gets. Like it so desperately needs it that, like some kinda junky, its tolerance quickly rises. I go to the gym in the mornings and begin with what amounts to about 100 or so various crunches. Then I hit the elliptical trainer at level 7 for 25 minutes. I began at level 3 and have quickly jumped 4 levels higher. I have begun to use the backward motion on the elliptical trainer, though I can’t stand it for more than 5 minutes per session. That shit burns.
Then I hop off, trade out my People magazine for US and climb aboard a treadmill. I walk at a brisk 4 mph pace at varying inclines (and speeds) for 20 minutes. I try to do a full, hard run for 3-5 minutes toward the end of the session. Sometimes I’m too tired.
Then, if I have time or aren’t completely winded I jump on this stepmill thing that is just like climbing bigass stairs. I can only do this for 5-7 minutes. Ever.
Then once or twice a week I do resistance training. I haven’t been doing as much of this as I should, but it is mostly due to time contraints. After I hit the snooze button 8 times I only have time for cardio, which is probably why I haven’t seen results as quickly as I’d like.
My eating habits are a balanced 80% healthy vs. 20% not-so-much. I love cheese and indulge in it too often and I’m quick to order takeout when I should stir-fry something instead. But I can! fit into jeans I haven’t worn comfortably in over a year, so there is one tiny plus in the physical department.
What has most suprised me is the effect working out has had on my mood. On the days when I work out especially hard I see the most dramatic difference in my temperment. I am smiling, happy; not anxious or sad. Since I’ve begun going to the gym in the mornings I notice the endorphins lingering all day long. (As well as my appetite.) Sadly, on the days I skip exercising I get right back into a slump of near depression. Going without working out for 4 days in a row last week left me a crying heap. Although, of course, I was somewhat pre-menstrual, too.
It is still hard to get out of bed hours before I have to be at work to go breathe really hard and sweat really, really hard, but I remember how much of a high I get when walking back to the locker room and the joy in knowing that by 10 a.m. I have already worked out, and I need not make excuses as to why I can’t go later because I already went.
I’m proud of me. I think exercise has become just something I do, like brushing my teeth or washing the dishes. Not that much fun while it’s happening, but the results are way worth it.
Plus, I may not get heart disease and diabetes and die before the age of 65 like so many on both sides of my family.
(Thanks to Pyrimyd and Edgeling and Christopher for the work-out mixes. They were all, seriously, pretty rad. One of yours was better than the others, but I’ll never tell. Publically.)
12 comments ↓
Good for you brittney! That is great!
You find that after you do it for awhile that you really miss it when it is taken away. My doctor has still not cleared me to workout again and it has been six months now!
I have packed on a big lotta weight!
:(
That’s the suck thing. By 10 am, I’ve been at work for 2 hours already, which means that I would have to get up around 5 to get down to the gym and do anything like what you’re talking about before work.
Shibby.
Still, I need to doo it.
JBL, this weekend we will drink high-calorie beer eat highly fattening corn dogs, maybe, and not think once about losing weight. You are coming, right?
And mikro, I admit I have an advantage. Going to work later than the rest of the world makes going in the mornings first thing more tolerable. I bet your ass if I had to get up at 5 I wouldn’t do it.
Awesome post. You have just made me decide to join the effin’ gym. It helps that it’s late in the evening and my friggin’ body aches from toiling around the house, but…
Thank you
Standing Day 5
So, I’m still standing at my desk. Last week I had a consultation with the company ergonomics lady, and she brought me a nice bouncy rubber cushion mat to stand on, and a high stool/chair for sitting. I don’t sit very much — mostly just for when …
It was Pyrimyd’s, wasn’t it? Drat.
Go, Britt. I’ve been vowing to start working out again, but i never get around to it. I’m more of a doughboy than ever before… $%*@#!!
Yeah, I noticed a similar thing happening to me. I never used to work out and now that I do, I can’t imagine not doing it. I have to run at least a couple times a week or I don’t feel like myself. And aside from the mental boost - I never get sick! It’s made me invincible!
The weird thing is that I never lost any weight until like 3 weeks ago when I started doing the “Body-for-life” workout plan. It’s good shit and it might work well for you since you already work out in the mornings. Something to check out.
And Mikro…
I lifted weights for an hour this morning and was still at work at 7:30. Boo-yah!
Way to go, Brit! I’m trying once again to start getting my fat ass to the gym, and have been doing mostly running on the treadmill to start. Eventually, I hope to start doing the weight training and cross training, but I’m giving myself a few weeks before I try adding too much.
Anyway, I too notice the difference in moods. It’s really amazing how happy your body can be when you’re beating the shit out of it.
Warning! Treadmills can be dangerous. For some “it’s funny, but I hope it never happens to me” fun, but look at this gif picture posted at http://p071.ezboard.com/fjjboardfrm12.showMessage?topicID=58258.topic. (It shows a lady falling down on a treadmill). By posting this, please know that I have cursed myself to fall on a treadmill. Hope you enjoy.
Spoken like a man who didn’t hear my mix, edgeling. I’m betting I’m the odd myd out on this one.
Haha I remember when I first started martial arts how noncommital I was about it. “um, no I probably will be too busy at work to be able to come in every day…maybe only once a week or so…” Now I’m there every freakin day! (’cept Sundays) And I’m testing for my instructor belt on Sat. And when the workouts aren’t particularly gut wrenching, I leave kinda disappointed…and I used to be the epitome of couch potato…hmm…or couch bean since I’m Mexican. Way to go!!!
wow … whew… *pant* … i just broke sweat *reading ABOUT* your workout. Congrats Girl :)
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