I just got back from my physical, and surprise surprise she says I need to exercise. I was told the same thing at my last physical about 18 months ago, but I decided to try green tea as a way to boost my HDL (which apparently didn’t work). So we had a conversation where my doctor challenged me as to why I don’t exercise. First and foremost and because I don’t want to be the guy with all the excuses, it’s because I’m lazy. There are limited hours in the day and I’d much rather spend that time cooking, playing with the kids, and at the end of the day relaxing in front of the television. Beyond lazy, here are the others:
- I’ve tried working out at a gym, even with a buddy, and it just wasn’t interesting. It does nothing for me, it’s boring, and a little intimidating. I just don’t think that’s an option that I’m likely to stick with.
- I have in the past been successful with organized sports. I’m not very good, but it’s fun and keeps me coming out regularly because I have a team that I’ve committed to. However now that I travel alot, that’s not really an option.
- I like swimming, but a membership to the indoor pool is expensive and if I go the kids will want to go as well which makes it no longer about cardio.
While traveling it would be very reasonable to be able to find at least a bike and a treadmill at most hotels, and a small pool if I decided to take that up. Right now I’m resigned to the fact that I have to do something, and knowing myself it needs to be something with a routine or a pattern or it won’t work. Walking is an easy one to say I’ll do, but an easy one to drop too once the weather gets bad. There’s a new local gym we got a flyer for a couple of weeks ago called “Average Joes” that might take the intimidation factor out of the gym but I’ll need to find something to make it interesting… maybe a daily cardio workout and a podcast I get hooked on would work.
Anyways, I’m open to suggestions if anyone has them. I can’t be the only lazy guy who’d rather not exercise who has tried to figure this out, and I’m certainly not the only person who travels alot for business. Please leave your comments.
You are right. It is very challenging to exercise while traveling. Usually you are at work late and then go out with others for diner. You are usually back in the hotel room late with a full stomach and dog tired from the day… not condusive to exercising. However here is something that will appeal to the geek in anyone while exercising.
http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/
It was time to get new running shoes so I got the ipod-aware running shoes (not any more expensive then regular running shoes) and then bought the $40cdn ipod running kit… note that you have to own a Nano. Now I keep track of my runs, set goals, and compare to other runners … all while synchronising the recorded data up to nike though itunes. Pretty cool and fun.