Why yes, I DID end up with a tread-mark right across my crotch! Also, the Gym Buddies tried to leave me stranded on the big tire that randomly appeared in the Y since I couldn’t get down on my own. Ha ha ha.
One of the questions I get asked the most – and am probably the least qualified to answer, right after “Can I catch a yeast infection from the spin bikes??” – is “What workout should I try?” And because I love talking about workouts I’ll do my best to help them. (After warning them I’m not a doctor, fitness professional or even all that sane, naturally.) I start by asking four questions:
1. What are your goals? No sense in giving someone a weight-lifting only program if their fondest desire is to win a ballroom competition. (And who wouldn’t want that?!)
2. What do you enjoy? I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again: If you hate running, don’t run. Period. You can be perfectly healthy and never run a step. There is a way to move your body that you will enjoy. We just have to find it.
3. How much time/resources do you have? There’s a big difference in the optimal workout for someone has two hours a day and a gym membership compared to somebody who has 20 minutes on their lunch hour and a conference room with nothing but a rolling chair and a window that opens into the cafeteria. (And you’d be surprised what I can do with naught but a rolling chair when it comes to workouts!)
4. How much pain are you willing to tolerate? Certain programs – CrossFit, Tabatas, Richard Simmons – are based on the premise that the more pain you can handle in the moment. the faster you can achieve great results. But it’s a recipe for never-working-out-again disaster to throw someone into one of those if they don’t think that feeling like dying is fun.
At that point, I draw up a complicated matrix (no seriously, I have one) into which I stick all the workouts I’ve tried and try to offer some recommendations that you will like. So when the Minneapolis Star Tribune asked if I’d do a feature article about 12 workouts to try in 2012, I immediately pulled that sucker out. Kidding. Nobody wants to see my matrix. Instead I came up with a broad overview of 12 popular programs to try out.
Check out the article I wrote (my first-ever newspaper feature! squeeee!!).
And if you’d like, read the sweet profile they did of me, complete with picture from a year ago of me with short hair and leg warmers.
You may notice they mention my new book – The Great Fitness Experiment: The Exercise Strikes Back (working title). It’s the sequel to my first you-either-loved-it-or-despised-it book and covers my 12 favorite experiments in the 3 years after the first book came out. So all new material! 12 new embarrassing moments to make you glad you’re not me! And it’s coming out…ta -da!… I HAVE NO IDEA. Yeah. My publisher has the manuscript. When they are releasing it I still don’t know. Soonish I hope. I’ll keep you posted.
What is the question people ask you the most? What workout do you recommend to people?
And hey, I may not have a book yet but I’ve totally got the author photo taken care of! Priorities, people… (Thanks to Gym Buddy Allison and her mad photog skillz for making me look good! And kinda chesty – which is hard to do!!)
I’m very excited for the next book! Let us know when we can pre-order it!! Yay! And you look super pretty in that last photo, how do you curl your hair like that? Just a curling iron?
Most recommended workout: Spin! I love spin. I’m ambivalent about real biking, but spin class is the best. I may change my mind after my first TRX bootcamp on Tuesday…we’ll see.
Most of the questions I’m asked are conversation-specific. And other than that, I’m usually an asker, not an askee when it comes to questions. I think I’m a naturally curious person, and all of my friends are super smart, so if I don’t know something, I assume that they do (and they often do).
The questions I most often hear are, “You really don’t eat meat? Like, never? What about fish? So, what CAN you eat?” etc. Sigh! It’s getting old.
My most recommended workout is Pilates. Most of the people I know have some back or shoulder issues, or a really bad posture, just like I used to. A few years ago I started to do Pilates regularly, and it has helped me so much.
The most common question I get is, “How much cardio do I have to do?” I tell people that unless they are working towards an endurance event, I just want them to go on long walks. Most of my clients see me three times a week, and my favorite workouts involve kettlebells. I push them hard and when they leave the gym there is often a puddle of sweat on the floor. You have to give your body a chance to heal. There is such a thing as overdoing it, but it’s almost too hard to believe that cutting down on cardio can produce the desired results.
LOL I wonder what all those people asking about yeast infection plan on wearing in the spin class?
I liked the profile they wrote about you. It got me thinking that maybe I shoud try hula hoops again, even though I sucked at it even as a child.
No-one ever asks me about anything! Is that a good sign or a bad sign?
Am I the only one thinking “Show us the matrix!”?
You’re not the only one.
Matrix us Charlotte!
MATRIX!
Congrats! Such exciting things happening for you!
Hmmmm… No one has ever really asked me about what I do for workouts, but I have to say that I love sprinting on the treadmill and playing with the new kettlebell I got for Christmas. Is it weird to ask for fitness stuff for Christmas? I thought it was a normal request but my mothing in law looked at me like I had grown a second head when I asked for a kettlebell.
Congrats on the article! And yeah for the new book! Can’t wait for it to be out!
I got Kettlebells for Christmas too! 🙂
Congratulations on the articles and new book! So happy for you!
Kinda chesty? Nudge nudge. 😉
I read your article yesterday and loved it. I have a lot of things on my list of equip to buy now. Including a jump rope, TRX and maybe the new P90X2 – have you done it yet?
Gorgeous photo, Charlotte. For serious. You are incredibly photogenic and your clothes and style…well, let’s just say if I were a dude, your husband would hate me.
Great article, Charlotte! Congrats!
The question I get asked most is “why in the world would you actually WANT to run?”
Cute pictures!! Both here and on the StarTribune write-up!
When i lost 45 lbs, people asked me how i did it. I said by eating right and exercising. You should’ve seen the look of disappointment on most peoples faces! I think they were expecting to hear that i took a magic pill or something that didn’t require much work! I was sorry i disappointed them instead of inspiring them.
Oh and i recommend spinning to most people and Kettlebells to people who are in at least pretty good shape. Love both of those!
People seem either interested or horrified about runners. If I mention a race or a long run, I get asked how long is a half marathon or how long did you run on Saturday? It seems anything over maybe three miles seems strange to people who don’t run or workout. Like you are some strange running freak. Other than that, I have gotten why do you workout so much? I find this funny because I am pretty balanced with my workouts and am not spending hours at the gym.
I like the picture, would look great for an author photo.
congrats on the newspaper gig and new book! how exciting!
Congrats on both the book and the article! Can’t wait to hear the tricks of the trade at the second library talk. 🙂
Congrats on the Newspaper writing thingie! (I was going to say gig but someone beat me to it) I got your book for Christmas and enjoyed it thoroughly! Humorous and informative! I had my own battles with eating disorders and also with depression so it’s always interesting to see other’s take on their own struggles. Really looking forward to your new book when it comes out.
Being a runner (albeit a relatively new one) I’ll have to admit here that I’m usually asked questions about running. I just tell people to go out there and do it. Tell them not to worry about speed and if they feel like they are going too fast to slow down but to keep moving.
Re: the photo… Va va voom!
Hey congrats on the great article and the nice write up! As always, am amazed by all you accomplish as well as how freakin’ adorable you always look in photos.
I was wracking my brain to think of the health fitness question I get asked most… and then realized I hardly ever get asked any! I suspect the name Crabby McSlacker may not inspire tremendous confidence that I have any useful answers. And IRL, my friends know not to ask anything or I’ll never shut up.
How soon can I pre-order the book? I’m THAT excited!
Thank you for the ‘don’t run if you hate running’! I hate the idea that running is this amazing thing everyone should aim for. I do try to do the whole couch to 5k thing every year or so and give up when I remember that I hate running. I’ll get my cardio elsewhere thanks.
I recommend weight lifting to everyone and anyone. I’m still trying to get my hubbie on board (he’s all about the cardio only right now) but lifting is the only reason I still fit into any of my clothes!
Love all the pics especially the tire crotch one – just kidding – the last one!!! You are so dang cute & the article was wonderful – congrats! Can’t wait to hear when it is released! You go Missy!!!
I love your advice – goals, enjoyment, time – all the things people need to ask. I love weights but that does not mean all people do as I well know! 😉 Perfect advice – got to meet their needs both time & personal!
I get the ab questions so much – the one where you have to say that you can do all the core & ab work in the world but if the food ain’t right, you will not see them! 😉
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I read this in the paper (because that’s how old I am–I still get the daily paper) and was so proud to say I’m your friend. Can’t WAIT for the book to come out. Dang that author photo looks good! Next question? What kind of bra do you wear?
I can’t wait for the book. And the question I get asked the most is “What did you order from Amazon now.” I have a slight Amazon addiction.
Impressive boobage, my dear – that is a good pic (well done Allison)! Can’t wait for the new book.
That is a fantastic photo of you!
You look hot, classy, and sassy, all at the same time!
Ahhh, you crack me up!! I love the article, especially the mention of kettlebells! 🙂
Curious to know what your matrix would say for me?
And so excited for you about the next book!!!
Awesome! This is really great! We would love to add this in our list.
You look absolutely stunning in that photo, Charlotte. I admit again to sucking at life, but I haven’t bought the book yet. I do plan to purchase it for my kindle as soon as I have the spare $ and the spare time to actually read it.
Hi this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!
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