The great thing about exercise is it can be as hard or as easy as you want to be. I mean, you could walk into a gym, walk around a little bit and leave without ever breaking a sweat.
That’s your prerogative and if that’s how you roll, man, go for it.
Others, like my daughter, will spend up to two hours in the gym at a time and use every second to its fullest. That’s also inspiring, but it’s not manageable for older adults, or those who aren’t killers in the weight room (and on the ice, but that’s another story for another day. Tomorrow, actually) and it’s too much for most.
The happy medium, like a lot of things in life. Lies somewhere in the middle.
A good workout will challenge you appropriately and take you as far as you are willing and able to go and no further, and sometimes that feels like more of a mental challenge than a physical one. The fact is, most people can and could work out but many are just afraid of being sore and tired.
And that’s a legitimate fear. It’s not enough to ‘just walk the dogs a couple of times a week’ for exercise.
For one, if that’s your answer for exercise, it’s likely you’re not moving fast enough to even break a sweat or get mildly out of breath, so that’s not going to cut it. Stop fooling yourself now. The sooner, the better. I used to do it, too. No shame in it.
But back then, I was always sick and tired of being sick and tired. No more. Sure my legs are sore some mornings, but that's because I do this nonsense every day and sometimes twice and three times a day.
But as my year without sugar continues, I realize we can do anything we really set our minds to and the more I realize that movement, is, in fact, medicine. So, daily movement is our daily responsibility to our bodies.
It's incredibly important.
So, get there. When you do, think about taking a friend to the gym with you! I work out with my clients regularly because I also enjoy lifting with a partner. I will do that about three to five times a week these days.
And I love it!
I get another workout and my clients are not alone. That fear of being hurting or tired seems to fade and they hit a different gear. I’ve seen it a million times.
You might also want to consider working out with a partner and hiring a personal trainer. Maybe you and your husband want to get in shape. Maybe you and a friend want to take your training to the next level.
Not only that, your bill will be considerably lower than if you were on your own. Now, a private trainer means you and you alone, but with a friend you still get that personal coaching and you get to socialize with a friend.
Plus, misery loves company, am I right?
I am seeing a couple of different pairs of clients at the same time these days and they really do get more out of their workouts – for a lot less cost. If you have a friend who you might like to bring along to Monster Gym, I’m taking bookings for April right now.
Consider doubling your fun -- for about half the cost.
Questions? Comments? Insults? E-mail me at marclalondefitness@gmail.com or call me at 514-742-5465.