Sitting in my living room, just taunting me
Melody | Saturday, 8 September, 2007 at 8:11 AM 
It's standing in the middle of the room, this contraption, and it's taunting me. Some days I use the Gazelle, which I borrowed from my sister's garage - nobody'll miss it - a month ago, and I quite enjoy myself. Sometimes I've used it for more than a half hour before it actually occurred to my brain that I was exercising. Like when I was talking on the phone to Rhi that night. Or when I was watching some random television show that riveted me so much. Can't remember which one, now, so it can't have been that good.
But this morning the thing is taunting me and of course I'm going to win, since you can't let inanimate objects master your iron will. But I'm not there yet. Of course it's probably best not to make coffee first, 'cause then I'd just get all cozy drinking my happy coffee. Although that's what I keep thinking to do. But I've got to be just a little more awake, nonetheless. I think I also pulled a tiny little muscle in my thigh yesterday doing some other form of exercise that was supposed to be gentle. Never mind...I have to at least try.
Truly, though, it's a fun little toy. Most days. You can read a review here. I don't think you can get this particular type anymore, though. (Sis got this one several years ago.) Apparently Tony Little - he of the frightening infomercials and this website (be warned - a scary bobblehead doll will yell at you if you click on that link, I'm not even kidding) - likes to work on making his products better and so he's selling different versions than this one now. But he's onto something for those days when you want some cardio in the comfort of your own home rather than the glorious fresh air outside (when the temperatures aren't pleasing, as they have decidedly not been pleasing in my world these past weeks.)
And that's where we are this morning. Grouchy. Well-rested, but grouchy. And using you, my faithful blog readers to perhaps motivate myself. (Although since I've already admitted to being grouchy, let's quick talk about one more thing, too. I've noticed with mild curiosity that nobody's commenting these days. I mean, days and days and days without a single whassup?! Until several weeks back your comments were steady and delightful most days, but now nobody's got much to say here lately, and yes, I'm trying to make my posts interesting, and sure I know you're busy and you have lives and I should be happy just to see that you're coming here to read at all - and I am, really I am - but dude...you could say hi every now and then, 'cause it really is fun to hear from readers! Okay, that's all I'm sayin' about that.) It hasn't worked yet, this rant to you, hoping it'll motivate me to go over there and exercise, but it's only 8:09, and surely I'll wake up soon. Won't I?
Better find some good music...that's really what motivates me.
Happy Saturday! Happy Non-Grouchy Saturday...
Reader Comments (7)
It's past 9:30 now. Have you done it yet?
Love,
Dad
Okay, I've always wondered if the Gazelle works b/c those people on the infomercial just look like they FLYING along with nary a care or drop of sweat. Is it challenging? Immdediately or does it take awhile? What muscle groups does it work--where do you feel it when you're done? Inquiring minds want to know...
Sounds like way too much work to me. I'll stick to chasing dogs, when I can breathe again, of course. Right now, I have to take a nap, having been up for almost 2 whole hours. Quite a feat when one is still busy recovering from a sinus infection and bronchitis. Now that's a work out!
Maybe after reading this, you'll be a little more careful requesting comments? You know the saying - be careful what you wish for....
Love ya'!
Yay! My wish is your command. Snort.
Dad: Yes! I did. Only about 10 minutes in I fully acknowledged what was before then only a sneaking suspicion: that little muscle strain was more than a little one, and there's a matching one on the other side. So I stopped and moved on to something that more effectively worked a different set of muscle groups.
Dena: Depending on whether you're standing upright, leaning forward or backward, holding on or just holding your arms straight up in the air while you "glide along," you work a lot of different muscle groups. I don't know if someone who runs 10 miles a day and trains for flippin' marathons would find it helps them break a sweat so I don't know if you should run right out and get one. I, on the other hand, am happy to tell that I am quite satisfied with my own workouts on the thing. Plus it's not all I'm doing...finally paying attention to exercising more than once a month. :)
Margot: go back to bed right this instant. Don't even chase a dog. You have got to start getting more rest. We missed you at the office this week.
And no, I won't be careful requesting comments. I know many of you won't respond even with my request, but I love getting notes on my blog. I'm just narcissistic that way.
Thank you all. My day even got that much better! Cheers!
To give more info about the Gazelle -- it's a machine for an unmotivated person. It is really fun to do, so you sort of trick yourself into getting a workout in. Also, on this one, there are two settings, which I'll call easy and hard. The easy one, the workout isn't so great, but you can break a sweat and get your heart rate up if you do it for a while. The hard one you feel right away, throughout your legs. (as I recall. The thing spent over a year in my garage before Melody borrowed it.) But the hard setting (as you might imagine) isn't quite as much fun.
Holy Cow! I just followed the link noted above and got the fright of my life!
Thanks for elaborating, Joy. Dena, I toggle between the easy and hard settings. Easy for when I'm really and truly in need of tricking myself and can just let my mind wander. It just takes longer to break that sweat. And it's good that way for days you're already doing something challenging.
Joy, I'm glad it's not just me who found that so frightening! Bobblehead dolls are already sketchy...but with that voice!!! Sheesh!