Exercise: My Preference
February 17, 2012 by Aimee • 24 Comments
You know the saying…’a treadmill makes a great clothes rack’…I proved it to be true! Well, not with clothing, but you know what I mean! Ever since I ran a triathlon with my sweet friend, I knew I needed a treadmill so I could improve my running skills {the toughest part of the race for me}. Finally, we found one on Craigslist, listed for a great price! Sweet Stud drove and picked it up for me. I was ecstatic! I ran that baby like crazy for two full weeks…and then….it sat! And sat and sat…
I realized that although I enjoy exercise and the way I feel when I exercise, I’m a bit too social for exercising in a closet. Boy did I have big dreams for that oversized closet – converted to gym! It was going to be SWEET! I’ve always had a functional closet spaces! This is the closet converted office in our last house {the two story}, I absolutely loved it! But sadly…or maybe excitedly…I have the opportunity to dream up new ideas for the oversized closet in this house…because….
We sold the treadmill today. Yep, I did…I let it go! For the same price we bought it for almost a year ago. I knew it wasn’t me. Maybe it will be used by the new owners for the right purpose, but if history repeats itself, it’s destined to be a clothes rack again, like it was at our house, and the previous owner’s house as well. So what kind of exercise do I prefer?!?!
Okay, I’ll admit it…I like exercise videos! Seriously! I love to get up and exercise with my friends, but only in the privacy of my home, giving my kids plenty of opportunity to laugh or join in depending on their mood! Specifics?!!? My favorite exercise videos are Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred and Ripped in 30! {Warning: since I’ve started using her videos, I feel a little more guilty when I eat cookies or chips while watching the Biggest Loser.} I’m not a diehard fan of hers, truthfully, most days, I mute her and turn on my own background music because she can get a little annoying, but her exercises totally ROCK and the fact that I can have it all wrapped up in twenty-ish minutes totally works for me and my schedule!!! And on those days that don’t allow it…I don’t worry about it too much…I remind myself how many calories I’m burning just by being a mommy!
And that takes me back to the quote at the top…”It’s not who you are that holds you back, but who you think you’re not.” A few years back, I never would have imagined that I’d find the endurance to compete in participate in a triathlon! I totally thought my athletic days were behind me, but with a workable plan, I made it happen! And who knows, I may be the 65ish lady that passed me in that race one day…despite how busy it is being a mommy, taking care of myself has to be a priority! It’s good for me, and it’s also a great example for my Sweet B’s!!! And again, on those days that don’t permit, I’m totally alright with it! I’m a mommy, which is definitely not a job for the weak…I don’t stop running from the moment my feet hit the ground! Nothing holding this mommy back!!!
…now to figure out what to do with my new found space…the unused oversized closet, I’m not going to miss that treadmill even for a second! Do you ever have those days where you almost can’t hold yourself back because you’re itching so badly to rearrange the furniture?!! That was me today! I don’t have an idea or anything in mind…I just want to play! Maybe I can blame it on my empty closet totally feeling lonely!?!? Maybe?? 
Let me just tell you, this is not a week that I should be “playing”…our annual mother-daughter tea party is quickly approaching and I have endless projects….I’m so excited!!! Home decor will have to wait a bit!
Let me just tell you, this is not a week that I should be “playing”…our annual mother-daughter tea party is quickly approaching and I have endless projects….I’m so excited!!! Home decor will have to wait a bit!
I am not a treadmill runner either! I love to run, but I have gathered up enough bad weather gear (I live in Michigan) that unless it’s a full out blizzard, I run outside. I also love Jillian’s workouts but my favorite is her No More Trouble Zones DVD.
And I rearranged my five year old’s room this week on a whim. It inspired me to put together a new frame wall using free stuff or stuff I already owned, and I am in love with it!
I love work-out videos too! I have the 30 day shred too, but I have to be in the right mood to do it! My newest favorite is on the instant streaming via Netflix (it’s a Crunch work-out called Slim-down). It combines simple yoga and pilates. I love it because I feel like I got a good work-out in, yet I also feel like I got a massage because it’s so relaxing!
I’m so excited to have some new workout ideas!!! Thanks LOTS!! XO, Aimee
I have a treadmill at home to but sadly it doesn’t get used much, Although I do go to the gym and use theirs. It is all the way downstairs and since it was so heavy getting it in here my husband said I couldn’t sell it. Lol
Running anywhere outside! I did the whole “buy a treadmill on Craigslist, sell it a year later on Craigslist” too. Too boring for me. I do however, love running outside. I also like the Insanity workout. I like doing it with the entire family. This would be pretty funny to watch, but it’s made some good times! lol
Oooo, big unused closet…..turn it into a reading nook! I’m doing a reading nook right now, so I have reading nooks on the brain
Have a good weekend!
–Katie
@ Creatively Living
I had the same issue with a Nordic Track. But I have an elliptical I use at least three times per week. But I try to get my ten thousand steps in everyday through walking, but when the weather is bad, I use my elliptical wither once or twice a day.
We don’t have room for exercise videos….I am not graceful and I’d break something!
xo,
RJ
Love this one about being scary
I have a treadmill. Its the focal point in my bedroom
I NEEEED to get on it. Its just so hard…
with so many other things to do.
Like CRAFTING!
so funny, I was the same way I lost 140 pounds and worked out every day on my bike or elliptical, now they hold things. I want to get back to them, just never seems to be time.
Ooh, I love the housework/calories burned chart!
I’ve been thinking that I’d like to get a treadmill because running up and down hills outside is so hard! Maybe I should re-think that.
I’d love to try the ripped in 30 dvd one of these days. Right now I’m doing No More Trouble zones… sort of. I don’t have time to work out for a full hour, so I do about half of it at a time.
I’d love to get an elliptical but I know that it’ll be the same. For whatever reason, when I had a gym membership, i was really good about it. I can’t seem to make myself exercise at home.
Hmmm – I bet I know what burns some calories – Estate Sale shopping! Let’s go maybe next weekend or the next?? What will work for you? Email me!!
I am like you…running is fine if I’m outside chatting with a friend, or maybe even on a treadmill at the gym, just because I can visit with folks here and there. But at home just doesn’t work for me. There are too many other distractions. It’s hard to get to it, and if I ever do, it’s just too easy to quit. Glad to know I’m not the only one!
I love my treadmill, Aimee! But I HATE how ugly it is lol. I wish I could disguise with a pretty slipcover or something haha!
Ello Love! HA HA HA I am totally on the same page as your post above… too funny. OH and I LOVE your Picnik post! I will have to check a few of those out, because I too, almost come to tears when I think about them going away!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!
XOXO
Andrea
Hahahaha…I would rather get a root canal than get on the treadmill…it’s PAINFUL! I don’t know how people do it! But, I can do a whole hour on the elliptical no problem though. Really, I love walking outside or doing anything outside that I can. I wish Houston wasn’t so flat! I used to rollerblade a lot in college but I feel like maybe there is an age limit on that activity.
I’m crushed – I LOVE to rollerblade, and still do (at 30) when I find the time. I say break that stereotype and blade away regardless of age.
Seems like you got rid of a lot of weight when you let go of the treadmill. Awesome!
Love your post, I did not have time to finish it all. Because I’m running late to prayer group. But I will come back to it later. I’m also doing exercise at home. I have used Insanity and now using Body Gospel. Both awesome programs. I’m drinking Shakeology, its a powder, vitamin packed, supplement. I have lost a total of 9 pounds since I started working out at home. Does not seem like much but the fact that I fit a size smaller now, its great progress for me.
Jamie…Seriously!!! LOL! XO, Aimee
Suzanne…Totally!!! LOL! XO, Aimee
Rosario…I think 9 pounds is AWESOME! Way to go girl!!! I’m impressed! XO, Aimee
I am a DVD convert – as much as I love getting outside, I have found that DVD workouts fit best in my life rightnow. Last winter I completed the Insanity program 1.5 times, and lost 25+ lbs, and 2 pant size, multiple inches, and had more energy than I had had in eons. But I am back to square 1 as my baby is 2 months old – crazy what we give up for these little people! {but I would not trade it for anything}
I love that first quote – it is the quote I featured in my first creative post on my new blog (http://somewhatquirkydesign.blogspot.com/2012/01/jumping-off-bridge.html). I have to revisit it over and over again in my mind. I too love exercise videos – started out with THE FIRM back in 1989! I’ve been mixing in P90x and P90x2 in with my cardio workouts for a the last 4 years. The plyo workouts would help you with your running (if they don’t injure you first)! It is SO GREAT for your kids to see you exercising and taking care of yourself. I believe that it is one of the best examples I set for my children. The second quote (be the kind of woman) is now going to be my new motivation! Thanks so much for sharing. I’m a new follower.
Hey Aimee, I’m new to your great blog. I love working out at home to my Beachbody programs (P90X, Insanity, Turbofire). I’m a Beachbody coach and TurboFire fanatic (it’s my soulmate workout). They changed my life a few years ago and I’m never looking back. For more info you can check them out here:
http://www.fit2feelbetter.com
Hope this helps you find some fun workouts to do in your new space!
I really love the first quote!
To be honest, I loved my treadmill. I got rid of it because I didn’t use it as much as I should have and I really didn’t have any good place to keep it that wasn’t in the way. I like the exercise videos too, but they really wear me out badly.Who knows, maybe I am just lazy..lol.