So, when do you work out?

[JThunder]

@Philster

If the Resolutionary Army held ground and didn’t retreat and come back larger next January, there’d be less disdain for them. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear to be the hallmark of fitness decisions: “Oh, why exercise and eat right now? I will start the new year out eating right and exercising. Mmmmm… Christmas food. Mmmmm… New Year’s Eve hors d’oeuvres!.”

This is exactly right! Folks, it should be pretty obvious why it’s hard to take most New Year’s resolutioners seriously. People who are making a serious effort aren’t going to stay on the couch for a few more weeks. Nor will they wait around so they can gorge themselves on Christmas goodies.

Sure, I am being a bit tough right now, but very few, if any, of the Resolutionary Army are smart enough to defect.

Preach it! The truth has a way of being tough.

When do you start getting healthy? RIGHT FRIGGING NOW, because if you can make it through December getting lean and mean, the prognosis is much better than fattening up and putting things off until you are bored, and ready to draw attention to your resolutions, because this time… yes this time… you are really going to do it!

These words need to be said, and they need to be heard. If you decided to put the gym work off because you wanted to enjoy the holidays, then you’re thinking in exactly the wrong way. It is a recipe for failure.

[lindsaybluth]

I usually go to a class (spinning, pilates, group power (a weightlifting class for weight loss)) so I typically go in the neighborhood of 6-8pm. But when I was in school, I went at all hours, whenever I had time. So long as you don’t have problems sleeping through the night when you workout close to bed time, I say go for it!

Keeping up the motivation is hard enough when you’re trying to lose weight,** overlyverbose**, so kudos to you for not hesitating to work out whenever you have a free moment.

[lindsaybluth]

@Freudian_Slit

Question–why do people hate newbies at the gym so much? Is it because there are just too many people? Or because they screw up and don’t wipe down the machines and stuff?

ALL THE ABOVE. They should get personal training sessions so they know how to use the machines. I hate watching them destroy the nautilus/weightlifting machines, or awkwardly stand around.

I take spinning/pilates/weightlifting classes, so I fully expect to shoot dirty looks and be pissed at the crowded situation for the next 4-5 weeks. People treating the gym like happy hour drove me to leave my last gym.

[panaccione]

If I had it my way, I’d work out twice a day. Run in the morning, lift in the afternoon/evening. Seems I hardly have the time for that though. Sigh…

[JThunder]

@lindsaybluth

People treating the gym like happy hour drove me to leave my last gym.

My reactions haven’t been as visceral as yours; however, I do agree that people shouldn’t treat gym time as though it were happy hour.

In a previous thread, somebody pointed out that he doesn’t go to the gym in order to have fun; rather, he goes in order to get results. That’s the key. It’s great if you can have fun while working out, and I generally enjoy my gym time. Ultimately though, the main purpose of going to the gym is to achieve one’s fitness goals.

Loud laughter or conversations? Those are no-nos. Lounging around with one’s buddies? Not acceptable if you’re tying up the gym equipment. Giggling during a cardio class? Rigorous exercise takes concentration, so try to keep it under control and avoid distract everyone else.

I like what you said, lindsaybluth. Gym time is NOT happy hour. Have fun if possible, but remember that serious people are there primarily to get results.