A Story About Jim. Er. The Gym.*

So things are getting better in the sleeping department and I'm thinking it has a lot a lot to do with me getting to the gym after work four out of the past five days. Since exercising has been helpful to me, I thought I'd go ahead and be all Advice-y.

Just over a year ago, I made a list on 43 Things of things that that I wanted to do. Of everything on my list "exercise regularly" was the one I knew I could do something about almost immediately.

Luckily, a co-worker at my office was also wanting to start going to the gym and we talked about going together. We went every few days for a couple of weeks until she got sick and couldn't go. By that time, my body was used to going and wanted to go, so I went by myself. And I haven't stopped. No matter what, I've always gone to the gym at least one day a week for more than a year and I'm very proud of that. But, also, I've seen huge improvements in my health. I'm fitter, obviously, but I'm also a few pounds lighter and much more toned. I haven't had anything more than the sniffles, my stress level has been reduced and my sleep (until recently, when I slacked off a little) has been better. I can't say enough about how much nicer my life has been since I started exercising regularly. I'm so glad I started. And I'm even happier that I continued.

So. Here's my advice for anyone who's wanting to start (and then keep on) exercising regularly.

1. Find a reason to work out.
Try to find a positive reason for getting into exercise. Maybe it's to improve your health or lose some weight or to keep fit. Don't start exercising because you "think you're fat" or because it's "something you should do". For me, honestly, it was to reduce my stress level. If I happened to get arms like Madonna along the way? Well, bonus!
I think it's really important that this is something you want to do, not something you feel forced to do.

2. Be comfortable.
Wear clothes that will allow you to move. Get yourself there in something that doesn't rub or constrict, and get yourself a decent pair of runners. After you're in the habit and going regularly, invest in a good pair of exercise pants and some "real" exercise clothes. You'll probably find the more you workout, the happier you are with showing off your body. I started out in big t-shirts and now am more comfortable, and less sweaty, in sleeveless shirts that are made for working out.
The bottom line? Good shoes and comfortable clothes. It's not a fashion show. The clothes are there to keep you from being naked. The shoes are there to keep you from being injured.

3. Don't compare yourself to anyone.
This is a big one. There will ALWAYS be someone better looking, fitter, skinnier, more muscular, better built, whatever. Do. Not. Compare. Yourself. If you want to compare yourself with someone, take your measurements before you start exercising. Take photos, whatever it takes. Just remember, those incredibly fit people? Those gorgeous, skinny, perfectly perfect looking people? They're not you. Don't wish you were them. Some of them were built that way. Some of them do nothing but work out. Some of them will have been working out for years. Some of them are just lucky. Don't waste your energy, don't let other people get you down. I made the mistake, a couple of years ago, of comparing myself to a friend who was a tri-athlete. (Hi B!) He told me he had no idea how anyone could run inside on a treadmill and I figured he must be right. I tried going for walks outside but it didn't last long. I realized, eventually, that just because it worked for him, didn't mean it had to work for me. That helped. A lot.
Don't compare yourself to anyone but you.

4. Make it easy.
This is all about you enjoying exercising. Maybe you'll go to dance classes, maybe you'll go to a gym, maybe you'll swim, maybe you'll join a running clinic. Find something that works for you. For me, it's going to the gym. Find a time that works for you. I don't do mornings, so for me, after work is the best. I go on my way home from work because if I go home first, my couch calls to me and I rarely make it back out.
Make getting to your exercise as easy as possible. Make it easy to add it to your routine. Make it convenient.

5. Find someone to go with.
This may be a personality thing, but for me, the first few weeks, I needed a partner encouraging me. Honestly, most of the time I only went because I'd already told her I'd go with her. Once I was there, I was glad I did, but come the next day, I wouldn't have taken myself if it hadn't been for "having to" be there. You might not need this, but if you can't seem to make yourself go, find someone to make you go.
It can be helpful to have someone to exercise with, even if only at first while you get into the habit.

6. Make it fun.
You need to like working out! That may mean doing something besides walking on a treadmill, or it may mean walking on a treadmill with an iPod and a trashy magazine. Really. If you're hating working out the first few times, make a change. Find something that makes you enjoy doing it.
If you're not enjoying it, you're not going to keep going.

7. Make yourself a promise.
I made myself a deal early on that, no matter what, I'd go to the gym every Saturday. I knew that reasonably, work and would sometimes get in the way and if I could always have a day set aside for the gym, I'd feel better even if I missed a day or two. And I do. I've gone to the gym sick just to have gone on a Saturday and the pride I feel in having gone to the gym at least once a week for an entire year can't be matched.
Pick a day. Always go. You'll thank yourself.

8. Notice.
Take a minute the first time to go to work out and write down what you did. For example: the first time I went to the gym, I managed five minutes on the elliptical trainer before I had to get off, puffing and sweating. Now I can get through 20 minutes and still breathe! Notice how your body changes for the better as you continue exercising.
Write down what you managed to barely get through the first time. Compare that to what you're getting done in three weeks, three months!

9. Take it easy on yourself.
Don't show up on day one and try to run half an hour. Don't twist an ankle and force yourself to keep going. Don't beat yourself up if you get an injury and have to adjust what you do. Remember, this is supposed to be a positive thing in your life. When you first start out, set reasonable goals for yourself and then lower them. Remember, you're trying to start a habit here and change is slow and gradual.
Be gentle with your body and your psyche.

10. Be proud.
Don't be afraid to show off the awesome changes you see in your body. When we were on holiday, I kept asking my Mom if she wanted to feel my muscles. Being my Mom, she indulged me, but really, I was feeling so proud of what I'd accomplished, it was great. Go ahead and buy a new outfit, tell your friends how often you get to the gym.
Be proud of yourself, you're doing a great thing.




OK. That's more than enough. For anyone who's managed to get to the bottom of this post, hi! I'm not re-reading this post tonight. Maybe tomorrow. Sowwy for any mega typos or poor grammar or whatnot.

* I used to joke with my co-worker that we were both dating the same guy "Jim" when we were talking about going to the gym. It was funny at the time. You probably had to be there.

Wow. This so had nothing to do with being single, eh? Um. Let me add this: Single folks? Tons of hot people to look at at the gym! Not convinced? Read my archives for proof. Hotness everywhere. You could probably even get dates there if you were brave!