I don’t like working out. There. I’ve said it. I don’t get that runner’s high. I don’t feel deprived when I can’t go to the gym. And I’m not a fan of residual sweat on the Nautilus machines. I mean, ick.
But at the same time, I’m not keen on having flabby thighs and a monster butt. So I’ve come to accept that some level of working out is necessary. I should probably say that I have no problems with being physical. Hauling wheelbarrows full of gravel into my back yard, digging up weeds, riding my bike for long distances, hiking in the park, swimming — these are all Good Things. But, alas, the Good Things aren’t enough. To whittle away butt-and-thigh, some more focused work needs to be done.
A version of this post originally appeared at The Whine Sisters blog … but a) I want to start doing Food & Fitness Friday posts and this seemed like a good start, b) I’m busy writing Nikki & Damien and this post was quick and easy, and c) I’m focusing again on working out and eating better after the holidays and this is a great motivator!
Since I’m not the insane amazing Julia London who purposefully runs long distances (without a bad guy chasing her!) and actually seems to enjoy it, I have to get more creative. And, yay, I’ve figured out what works for me! Tabata sprints (mixed in with some weight lifting and audiobook listening on the elliptical).
But it’s Tabata sprints that I really, really love. I have a Tabata Timer app (it was free!) on my iPhone and that makes it super easy.
With Tabata, the idea is 4 minutes of 20 seconds like a bat out of hell, and then 10 seconds of nada. So I do one set (8 reps of the 20/10–the App does the counting down for you and beeps when it’s time to switch) on a bike, then 1 set on the floor with crunches, pushups, lunges, squats and deadlifts. And then one set on the track. I can run if it’s only for 4 minutes with breaks every 20 seconds. So 12 minutes of workout, plus the minimal between time. Doesn’t sound like much, does it? But trust me when I say that you really feel it. Now I just have to stick with it …
How about the rest of y’all? What’s your exercise of choice? Have you done the Tabata thing? How’d it work out for you?
[signoff]
I do something similar called Sprint 8…30 seconds of ‘bat-out-of-hell’ action (for me it’s the stair/elliptical combo) followed by 90 seconds of recovery or ‘kickin’-it’down’a notch’ for 8 reps. I warm up/cool down for 3 min on each end of the workout. This I do 3x a week. There is actually a tabatas class here in the area so I may check it out.
Oh!! That sounds very cool! I may try that to mix it up a bit. Thanks!
Like you, I realize exercise is a necessary evil. My problem is I am easily bored and or distracted, ADD comes to mind. I need to mix things up and must have variety. I do yoga, Pilates and weight training. It does require the occasional push to do it consistently but do like the compliments lately!! So going to do some yoga after this and then some weight training. Have a fabulous weekend!
I’ve done yoga a couple of times and loved it, but I’m the opposite. If I have to think about what I’m going to do, I won’t do it. Easier to just do the same thing over and over and over!