Just as promised, we had been transformed from slovenly couch potatoes (sans cankles) to annoying pro-exercise gym freaks, spewing out 80’s exercise clichés at each other from across the room(no pain no gain, push through, go hard or go home etc.) in only six weeks. We have ceased cursing Fia at every opportunity, realising now that any pain we feel today, equates (hopefully) to results tomorrow. Like cute little girly ‘Rockys’ in Karen Walker sweatshirts, we’ve run to the top of those stairs, punched the sky and finished the fight, now it was time to hear the judge’s decision.

Fia pinched, measured and weighed us as he had done six weeks ago. Nat had taken her waist measurement down 8cm, and her hips down 6cm. Her body fat percentage had gone from a slightly squishy 29.4% to a firm 25%. My measurements revealed I had lost 7cm from my waist and 5cm from my hips. My body fat percentage had dropped from 29% down to 25.9%. Seemingly a little weaker than Nat’s results, I had lost those two kilos however, so I’m counting that as my personal victory.

So if there was medal or a belt to be won Nat would be wearing it, looking down at me from atop her podium, throwing invisible one, two duck combos. But at the risk of sounding like someone I would have despised only six weeks ago, it feels as though we have both won. The exercise habit has been formed, and we’ve actually enjoyed the process. What’s ridiculous is that we’ve now signed on for another 12 weeks of torture for Club Physical’s 12 week transformation. The gym tell us the results and subsequent ‘hotness’ that will emerge at the end of the transformation is mind blowing, and I’ve got every reason now to believe them.

So hopefully I have inspired at least someone to take the plunge and get fit and healthy. As a self appointed expert in the field of gym-going, I have compiled for you a friendly list of do’s and don’ts when taking on your own exercise challenge.

Do’s
Take a friend along. Your motivation instantly improves when you know someone is actually watching you. You will also be forced to show up to appointments where you otherwise may have stayed home.

Think about your exercise wardrobe. Looking good often equals feeling good, which is so important when focussing on your body.

New clothes or shoes can serve as reward for achieving goals, or give you that mental boost when motivation is lacking.

Go in the morning. The gym is practically empty first thing, so you can try out new things without worrying about looking ridiculous. This is a good time to try out the treadmill, so if/when you shoot off the back into the cyclist behind you, your audience is fairly small.
 
Try new classes. Zumba is a ridiculous word and I predict a fairly short lived exercise craze. Anyone remember tae bo? I do, because I was in there doing it. Get in there amongst the madness, jiggle and wiggle around clumsily to the Latin beats. Everyone looks ludicrous while doing Zumba, and laughing is a great ab workout.

Don’ts
Wear light grey marle leggings, your sweaty crotch makes everyone uncomfortable.

Stick to dark colours if you are going to wear ultra fitting clothes.

Come to the gym intensely hungover first thing in the morning. Unless you’re here for a gentle walk on the treadmill or some calming yoga it’s probably not worth it. Use this as ‘me’ time to reflect on the night before, once you’re done licking your wounds you’ll be fighting fit.

Stare at the other gym goers. You’re not invisible I can see what you’re doing and I’ll be laying a complaint. My advice is to keep an eye out for ‘staring Stanleys’ at the gym, they’re a pest and need to be eradicated.
Over compensate with extra calories. The idea for most is to burn fat and tone up. Just because you have increased your activity does not mean you should up your McDonalds intake.

Be so negative…it’s boring everyone. The idea is to push yourself and break a sweat; there is no benefit from a constant negative commentary. Make sure to bring your iPod to muffle any whinging. 

Rave on to everyone who’ll listen, about the gym.  It’s great that you are getting fit and active, but no one likes to be preached at. The results will speak for themselves.

Just do it.

By Julia Dick

Be first to comment this article

Only registered users can write comments.

Please login or register.