December 14, 2010

Boring

I'm so bored. Oh so bored. The gym is terribly boring.

The outside temps are in the 20's and I dare not set foot outside, if I have choice in the matter. Even our afternoon walk to the mailbox has been put on hold until further notice. If determined to break a sweat, the gym is my only refuge from frostbite and aching lungs.

There are a few little issues driving my motivation into the ground, however.

I still do not have proper maternity workout attire (I have no excuse for why I have not made the investment after 1 1/2 pregnancies) so I am left to either squeeze into my former gear (which doesn't fit that well, ahem) or to creatively assemble "outfits" from cast away items that I would otherwise never, ever, wear. I don't know about you but I like to feel confident at the gym, or else I don't really have fun, and I want to leave. Lately I've noticed that I've adopted a bad habit of jogging into the gym, swiping my card, running into my class, spinning like a drone for an hour, and then hightailing it out of there as fast as I entered.

While it would make all the sense in the world to take advantage of the fact that I have already done 3/4s of the work by dressing, and transporting myself halfway across town, I leave instead of lifting weights or working out my abs because I'm not up for strutting my "stuff" around the gym.

Then there's the fact that my gym is pretty traditional with a schedule of group exercise classes, most of which take place before 5:30 pm, rather unaccommodating for anyone who works, particularly considering the traffic in the area. Spin is the only class that is even remotely appealing, but I kind of hate it while I'm there. The lights are so bright, and the instructors are so peppy. I like to get in a zone while I exercise, and somehow staring at my own (blurry--since I don't wear my glasses to class, and pale (BRIGHT LIGHTS!)) face in a mirror for an hour while trying my best to block out all the extraneous diversions just isn't inspiring. Do I get my heart rate up? yeah. Do I break a sweat? yeah. Do I enjoy it? not really.

It's become too easy to find reasons not to go to class. That means that I need to do something drastic because not going to the gym, especially now, just won't do.

I have nooo answers, but I hope I come up with something soon. Any suggestions? I'll take anything.

8 comments:

  1. Jacqueline,

    I LOVE on demand workout videos. Not sure what carrier you have, but through mine (AT&T UVerse)there is a "Free on Demand" section that offers exercise TV. I can choose from a TON of videos, all different types, lengths, etc. It's fun because it's done from the comfort of my own home, yet I still get an amazing workout! It's worth a shot! Since there is such a variety, it's hard to get bored everyday. If you are looking to get out of the house, then this won't be too appealing. From the sounds of it, the weather doesn't permit you to really get out of the house, other than the gym that is. Good luck!

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  2. Does your gym have a pool? I grew up swimming competitively and I got back into it when I was pg with Eloise. This pg, I am loving the gym pool more than ever! It is a great workout, really relaxing, and it totally counters any pg swelling that may occur. Plus, I can wear an old bikini if I tie the top extra tight and I don't have to worry about finding cute maternity work out gear. Good luck!

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  3. Don't I remember a post or so ago about lounging on the couch and doing some xmas shopping? Did Santa buy herself some nice gym wear? You want 4-5 kids DO IT! I am totally enabling. Give Andy my e-mail address and I will take the flack for any money spent :)

    I am the worst person to give advice on pregnancy work outs as I gave in to dying on the couch by the end of the first trimester and never went back to the gym and am still kicking myself. Can you try a new piece of equiptment? Rowing machine maybe? Does your gym have those ultra hard elipticals that go sideways instead of around and around? Time for some new music? New playlist? I loved speed walking to Under Pressure by Queen for some reason at a very high incline on the tread mill it kept me at the perfect heart rate and had the best beat to pound the pavment (or rotating thingy as it may be).

    Did you already put your membership on hold at the boxing place? Is it time for a kick boxing class to spice things up?

    Sometimes just making yourself do it that once is what you need to remember how much you enjoy it. Next spinning class MAKE yourself stay to lift weights NO EXCUSES! I know when I would tell myself no matter how tired I was I could not get on the train unless I did at least 30mins on the treadmill were the days I found myself doing an hour because it made me remember I actually liked it. You can do it!

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  4. Jacqueline,

    Have you looked into any of the www.teambeachbody.com workouts? I personally love the TurboJam and it might work for you since your activity level is already up.

    If you have any questions, let me know.

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  5. Oh man. No suggestions here. I'm the laziest version of myself lately. I'm just going through the motions when I work out lately- and I know that I'm not getting much out of it, since I'm half a$$ing it so much.

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  6. Sounds like you need to switch it up! I second swimming...it's the perfect work out during pregnancy and for non-preggos too (not that I do it, other than my mommy and me swim class with Lilah, LOL!). Or try some prenatal yoga classes. I did a lot of those when I was pregnant with L. Good luck getting out of your funk!

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  7. when I really don't want to go out in the cold weather I do lunges in my apartment while watching TV, but then again that is extremely boring too! I love my Tae Bo workout video and just discovered on demand workouts...maybe a fun dance one would do the job! Believe me when I say we all have trouble staying motivated in the winter...pregnant or not!

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  8. Hey J...you might consider doing this when you are done working. I met the instructor sometime ago and she really makes you sweat! http://www.walknrollva.com/
    MWF from 9-10

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