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Monday 22 November 2010

Fitness (or lack of it!!)

Today I am going to go for a long walk all round where I live.  This might not sound very exciting to you, but, to me, it's a start of my fitness regime.  Hah! How my daughters would laugh if they could read this, as I have started so many of these fitness regimes, but, unfortunately, they do not last very long.

I blame it on my Star sign, Aries.  I am full of enthusiasm for starting new things, get all the gear and off I go.  But then I falter and it all comes to a shuddering halt.  I guess motivation is not a strong point of mine, which I am not proud of.

I have been a member of several Gyms over the years, and, because I've tied myself into an annual subscription, usually end up paying money every month, but not actually attending.  I do love walking along the coast (the nearest beach is only fifteen minutes away from where I live, so we are right on the coast in this part of glorious Devon), but I lost one of my walking friends last year, and I don't really feel that safe to do the walks on my own, which is such a shame, but you just have to be sensible these days. 

walking by the sea

A couple of years ago, I bought myself an exercise bike (not the first one I have owned, I should point out!) together with a step machine.  Oh! And some weights for my arms.  Now we have the usual story here, I started off so well and actually did continue it for several months, but now, I'm ashamed to say, they are all gathering dust up in my spare room.  (In fact I shall probably have to dust them off in a minute before I take the photoes!).  I was regularly spending a good half an hour on the bike, and when I went on it the other day, I could barely manage five minutes - my legs felt like jelly! (On second thoughts, I have decided not to bother to take a photo of said items - it would be too much trouble!).

I also love swimming and, when I was in Cyprus with my family in the summer, I was swimming everyday and thoroughly enjoying it.  And guess what?!  Yes, I was going to go swimming at least three times a week when I got back home.  Pah!  That never came to fruition.  Somehow it's not quite the same dragging along to the indoor pool at the local Leisure Centre as to feeling the warm sun on your back in warmer climes.  (I even bought a new swimming costume for the pool.  That one, also, is gathering dust at the back of a cupboard somewhere).

But now, I have an even better idea for keeping fit.  I saw Helen Mirren on the television the other night, advertising the Wii Fit (Can you believe that she got paid £500,000 for the advert?!) and, as we are of a similar age, I thought, "yes! this is for me".  It was a Eureka moment).  Strangely enough, at just the same time, one of my good blogging friends, Becky over at "Just Being Me"  mentioned about fitness on one of her blogs, and, yes, she mentioned the Wii Fit.  I have been in touch with her, and she has assured me that it is easy to use and certainly worth having.  So you see, dear friends, it was just meant to be, and I am going to put it on my Christmas pressie list.  So, in the new year, you will be seeing a new, fit and toned "thisisme"!!!
LOL!!!

23 comments:

Unknown said...

I am an Aries too, March 24th and good luck on the exercise program. I think walking around where you live is a great idea.
Odie

Southhamsdarling said...

Thanks Odie!

Gawgus things... said...

I await the transformation with baited breath...!

Southhamsdarling said...

I suspect you might have to wait a long time, Gawgus-things!!

Jumble Mash said...

I give tons of props to anyone that actually stick with an exercise or diet program. I lose all motivation shortly after beginning.

Belle said...

I have a treadmill (I used for a year 10 years ago) and an indoor bike (I used for a month). I think our brains say to our unconscious, "What the hell are you doing?" Our brains hate exercise so we eventually give in to its pleading. I guess I need to not listen.

Becky said...

I'm not an Aries, so I am not sure what my excuse would be for "lack of motivation", other than just pure laziness!! LOL!! ~ Congrat's to you for coming up with a plan to get healthy!! I look forward to sharing in this "exercise adventure" with you! Together, we can DO IT!! :)

LindyLouMac said...

This all sounds so familiar, but guess what I have a Wii Fit, love it and it is part of my fitness regime, more so in the winter. How ever I admit to not being it on it every day as I am supposed to, something else always seems to get my attention instead! Blogging no of course not, seriously though it is great and I would not want to be without it. Favourite at the moment is Yoga and step exercises, will discuss more when you get yours. I had no idea that Helen Mirren was advertising it :)

Southhamsdarling said...

Well, I'm glad that I'm not the only one with no motivation!!!

Southhamsdarling said...

LindyLou - Fancy you using the Wii Fit as part of your fitness regime. I am really excited about getting one now!! I must admit that this blogging is taking up quite a lot of my time, but I am just going to have to be firm with myself.

Southhamsdarling said...

Thanks for the comment Becky. Yes, I shall be relying on you after Christmas to keep me going!! When you're just doing something on your own, it is all to easy to find an excuse for not doing something.

Southhamsdarling said...

Belle, I totally agree with you that our brains do NOT like exercise. I just feel that I ought to make the effort in order to stay healthy as long as I can to keep pace with my grandchildren!

Southhamsdarling said...

Jumble Mash - it's that word again, isn't it - motivation! Every time I think to myself, I WILL keep this going, but then .......... hey ho!!

BB said...

This...my hubby was an Aries and we got along fabulously. I lost 52 pounds when I met Bruce just from being active again. Now that we are older and I've got the aches and pains issue I have put it all back on. My knees are screaming at me lately but until I get disability/insurance I can't do a thing. My mailbox looks like it's 2 miles away when I contemplate walking to it. How sad huh? We should try something though for the new year.

Southhamsdarling said...

So you see Bouncin'Barb, I'm sure that we would also get on famously if we ever met! Seriously, it must be awful for you to be so immobile at the moment. I do realize how very fortunate I am to be able to do the things I do. Keep smiling!

Rebecca said...

i have rediscovered my love of bike riding thanks to my wonderful husband buying me a three wheel bike. now i go for a hour eide everyday and it is amazing

Sandra said...

It does not matter that you stop. It only matters that you begin again.
How profound was that?

Southhamsdarling said...

Becca, what a wonderful idea, having a three wheel bike. I had never thought of that. I just can't balance on a two wheeled one, and certainly don't feel safe riding one.

Southhamsdarling said...

Sandra - Waow! That is so profound. I must really remember that. It is up there with Confuscious (not sure that I've got the spelling right there!!).

LindyLouMac said...

The Grandchildren will love it! We have had great fun going ten-pin bowling with friends on the Wii. So it not just for your exercise :)

Southhamsdarling said...

Hi LindyLou. We already had the actual Wii. My husband arrived home with it last year the day before Christmas Eve, saying that he had won it at a raffle. He didn't have a clue what it was, and couldn't understand why myself, daughter, son-inlaw and granddaughter started to jump up and down in excitement! My favourite is the Ten Pin Bowling as well. My son-in -law gets very upset, as I always win!!

Masia Mum said...

I know I should exercise more but I am convinced exercise machines have it in for me! The Man is constantly won over by different exercise machines advertised in the press and TV. He bought a Cross Trainer thing some years ago which resided in the garage and the one time I geared myself up to use it, it threw me off backwards and put my back out! The Man never used it enough and when we moved house it was sent to a young nephew fitness freak. I will dance as much as you like and walk for miles quite happily and that will have to do.

caterpillar said...

Good luck...I wish I could find a way to encourage myself to get back on feet and get some exercise down....the procrastinator that I am...I am waiting for the right day I guess...