Don’t let ‘em see you quit
in Blogs
I got up early Saturday morning and went to a group cycling class. I chose cycling because spinning classes are generally held in darkened rooms (the better to imagine the scenery?) with no mirrors and if I get a bike in the back no one has to watch me work out, which, lets face it, isn’t pretty.
Fifteen minutes in, the class was kicking my butt. Literally and figuratively as my ass was in pain from that godawful seat. Seriously, is it made of solid rock? Standing to pedal up imaginary hills made my butt happy, but my legs were screaming “STOP! FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS GOOD IN THIS WORLD! STOP!” I was red faced and sweating so much I had to put my towel on the handlebars to keep my hands from slipping.
Not wanting to interrupt the class with my untimely death, I took it down a few notches, let up on the resistance and pedaled a bit slower, ignoring the instructor’s screams of “PUSH! YOU CAN DO IT! STAY WITH IT! C’MON! FASTER, FASTER!”. I managed to survive the class, walked out to the car on my now jelly legs and then melted into a quivering puddle of goo in the driver’s seat.
If my bruised rear can take it, I’m totally going back next week.
Until now, my only exercise has been walking the dog for a half hour every morning. I need and want a more strenuous workout a couple of times a week. I’ve tried work out videos at home, but without Jillian Michaels’ actual physical (and scary) presence in my living room, I tend to wimp out. I stayed in that cycling class because I was too embarrassed to leave. I was by far the heaviest person there, and I didn’t want to admit defeat in front of all those skinny people wearing their spandex and special biking shoes.
So tell me, what do you do to stay motivated during a workout?
– by Jamie
January 27th, 2009 at 12:33 am
Good for you for sticking with it! Spinning classes seem to attract bike racers who want to keep in shape over the winter when it’s too cold or icy outside to ride, so that’s where all the spandexers came from (and they’re who the spin instructor was “motivating” – HA). I do those classes too and (a) your butt will get used to the saddle, give it some time, and also look at the other spin-bikes to see if there are any different saddles to try; (b) gear your bike down so you can work your way into the full workout without having a heart attack!
So you’ve defined peer pressure as a way to keep you going – stay with that then. That works for me too, and is why I force myself to go on group bike rides: the peer pressure of trying to keep up with the pack makes me keep going rather than just stopping at the first donut house.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Давайте анекдоты что ли потравим
о чем еще писать-то?
January 27th, 2009 at 5:33 am
Ok the first and ONLY time I took a spin class, my vagina jumped off my body and ran away. It didn’t come back for like 2 weeks.
People say you DO get used to the seat and I’m sure that’s true, but I decided I liked the other (standing) classes better. And so does Mount Hinterlands.
January 27th, 2009 at 6:34 am
I don’t have time to go to the gym, but during workout videos, I remind myself that it will be over soon, and think how much better I will feel when it’s over. I try to keep my eye on the prize (losing all my baby weight by my son’s first birthday in March).
January 27th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Padded shorts. Padded shorts. Padded shorts. I’m a cyclist and I spin and the padded shorts make all the difference. The first few classes are going to be a pain in the butt (literally) but you will get used to it! I promise. Also: padded shorts.
January 27th, 2009 at 8:19 am
A few years back I took an 8-week, 2x a week spinning-for-beginners class. I never did get used to that seat. Everyone told me I would but even on the last day I couldn’t stand it. That was it on the spinning front for me. I loved the workout but it wasn’t worth the walking like a cowgirl for days.
Motivation for me is mostly internal. I make little bets with myself – sprint through this song, 10% incline for this set of commericals, etc. I used to be a soccer coach so I yell at myself like a coach in my head. Classes are great for the reason you said plus I like being the biggest person in the class and showing up all the little skinnies with my endurance and/or strength.
January 27th, 2009 at 9:09 am
i always try to picture the yummy smoothie i’m going to reward myself with once the class is over. haha! that and if i quit i’ll look like a loser in front of the rest of the class. i guess peer pressure can be positive.
January 27th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I love spinning, with padded shorts and with a good teacher since I have to listen to her and stare at her more than the other skinny ones. If I get the chick that is stuck in the 80′s and wants me to work my a$# off to the song Black Velvet, it just doesn’t work for me… play some R&B to start me going and then keep me going with some hard rock. Music is a huge motivation for me, also bringing my sister or family member along we are always competitive or energized by eachothers presence I should say.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:24 am
The thing that motivates me the best is my ipod loaded with some good music. I workout at home and for some reason, when I put those headphones on, all of my worries are gone and I can focus inward and feel like I am in my own little world. I have had a hard time motivating myself lately, but once I got the ipod for Christmas, I have been working out every day! Keep up the good work!
February 4th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Oh, another motivator I forgot to mention, and this might sound so crazy, but I have this mirror where I workout that tends to make me look slimmer..and it is a great motivator. It reminds me what I want to look like
April 5th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Своим друганам обязательно перескажу! Ваще отпад
April 30th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Отлично написано! Буду много думать…
May 16th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
А если кто-нибудь с вами не согласится?