Remember when Chandler tried to quit the gym? “I want a flabby stomach and man breasts!” His first mistake was taking Ross. Monica would have kicked leotard-girl’s butt. I miss this show so hard.
I quit my gym this weekend. Despite pretty much hating it – they didn’t have classes that I liked, they kept cancelling stuff and I just wasn’t gaining any traction with the people – every time I went to the front desk and had to face the wall of intimidating personal trainers, I chickened out. Life imitates art: It actually took me 3 tries to finally quit, thanks to a scenario much like the Friends one above! I stopped just short though of yelling “I want man breasts!” (Although on second thought that may have worked better?) It’s so hard for us people pleasers to, you know, displease people…
Plus after the incident where I overheard some of the other ladies talking about how weird I am – and hey, I am weird, so whatevs – it became more of an “I’ll show you!” challenge than actual enjoyment to go. And it wasn’t just those few women in that one class. The gym in general is one of those no-talky-all-business places – no one says hi (other than the obligatory hi-thanks-for-your-money at the front desk), people don’t seem very consistent and there’s not much fun or laughter. The only person who even remembers my name is the girl who signed me up and I just found out she quit too. Over the past month or so I’ve found myself looking for reasons to avoid going – I don’t mind the physical exhaustion part but the emotional exhaustion I couldn’t take.
Not only am I not excited to go, for the first time in over a decade I’ve found myself dreading the gym.
This is so weird for me – heck, I wrote an entire book about how I couldn’t stay out of the gym to the point where I made myself sick! – that I didn’t even want to admit it was happening. But now I finally understand how people feel when they look around and realize that basically anything sounds like more fun than heading off to the gym. I’d rather fold laundry than go. I’d rather be stymied by 6th grade math homework than go. I’d rather read Miley Cyrus’ inane tweets to Sinead O’Connor than go. I KNOW.
It’s gotten to the point where even thinking about going to the gym brings on this crushing feeling of depression. I feel like I have to really steel myself just to walk in the front doors.
And it isn’t just about what the gym is. If I’m being totally honest, it’s still mostly about what it isn’t. It isn’t my old gym (either the Y or LifeTime!) with my old friends and my old equipment and… my old life. I know I’ve talked about this to death but I miss them so so much. I keep waiting for the ache to lessen and it just doesn’t. I’m so blessed to be here – Denver is amazing and beautiful and fun. And I’ve met a lot of amazing and beautiful and fun people here too, who I am so grateful to have in my life. I don’t want anyone to think I’m still living in the past and wishing for what isn’t. I love my life here. I just miss my friends, that’s all. And the only remedy for that is time. (Or tesseracting – get on that, science. Seriously though, if 4Chan could channel all their obsessions in the same direction we’d be time-space jumping in weeks.)
A couple of months ago Reader Kim e-mailed me asking how to help support her friend who just joined a gym so that her friend wouldn’t fall of the fit-wagon. In the past I would have been all over this with suggestions but I haven’t been able to write a word to Kim about it. Mostly because I think that if her friend feels like me then maybe she should just skip it. Life’s too short to waste on something you dread, right? Of course Kim’s friend is blessed in one major way I’m not – Kim. Having a gym buddy can make all the difference, at least for people who are really social.
Yet. There’s a silver lining to everything (except the 50 Shades of Gray movie and Spaghetti-O’s) and there have been several major blessings to come out of my Gym Depression:
1. Way more time with my family. And other stuff. Back when my first two were toddlers, I spent my days going to playgroups and library readings and museums and parks – anything to teach them about the wonderful world they just umbilical-parachuted into. But as I got more into fitness, my mornings became taken up with gym workouts to the point where my second two knew nothing different than heading off to the Y every day. I don’t regret that – it’s what I needed at the time and got me some much-needed adult time and them some great socialization – but by the same token what I need at this time in my life is to be able to spend some extra time with my kids. Plus, I have several more daylight hours now that I can use to do stuff I normally would have stuffed into my evenings.
2. Proof I’ve really kicked this exercise addiction thing! I’ve been under a lot of stress and sadness and anxiety and all the feelings with the craziness of the move and in the past my primary coping mechanism would have been to run it off. Literally. And even if I wasn’t, I’d have to put a lot of effort into reining it in. Except that now it’s not even a temptation. It’s strange how what once felt like such a pressing need is now pretty much gone.
3. The freedom to decide how *I* really feel like moving my body. This one has been totally unexpected but is an amazing gift. It’s like I hit the “reset” button after alllll those years of compulsive workouts, body fat testing tyranny, the ever-changing gym schedules and even Great Fitness Experiments. For the first time in recent memory, when I wake up in the morning and ask myself “How do I want to exercise today?” I’m free of any social, professional and mental obligations that might change my answer. For the first time in maybe ever, the only thing that matters is what I want. And I don’t do anything that I don’t enjoy – no more “pushing through pain” or competing with the person next to me. WEIRD.
4. I can still get a kick-butt workout. And for way cheaper. The first thing I discovered is that while I have Gym Depression I don’t actually have Fitness Depression. The sadness does not extend to working out in general. When I ask myself each day what I feel like doing, the answer is almost always something. I enjoy Zumba but I’ve also been digging just trying to copy the choreography in random videos on YouTube (for which my cat judges me harshly, in between licking her butt and chasing dust particles). For awhile I was training for the race I ran last weekend and really enjoyed my morning runs with my friends in the beautiful early morning of the Colorado summer. I also had fun doing T25 with my girls here and laughing every time Shaun T reminded us that the “T” is for “focus”. And then there are my park workouts, hikes with my kids, walks with friends, pajama yoga and a lot of kettlebells/TRX in my garage.
The best part was when I realized that by doing what I want to do – as opposed to what I think I should be doing or what experts tell me to do – not only do I enjoy it more but I end up still getting a pretty well rounded workout. And, in one final blow to the crazy voices that live in my head, I’ve maintained my current weight and body fat % (with a few points). It’s a good place to be.
5. More flexibility to try new things. Quitting the gym even gave me some courage to try some new stuff again – the type of “experimenting” that got me into fitness in the first place! If you’re at a gym you’re locked into what they offer – great if you like what they have but swimming in peanut butter if you end up at a gym like my ex. Thanks to my new-found freedom, I signed up to try a new “fitwall” gym on Monday (something I’ve long wanted to try!) and check out a new yoga studio with a friend later on in the week.
So, what would I tell Reader Kim about how to keep her friend at the gym? I get what she’s asking – her friend, whom she loves dearly, has made a fledgling commitment to better health and she wants to help her stick to that – and while I admire her care and love for her friend, I suppose I would tell her not to worry about the gym and to focus more on helping her friend recognize what it is – both fitness and otherwise – that makes her feel happy. And I suppose I would tell myself that it’s okay that I still miss my old life and my old gym – it was a beautiful one and worth all the feelings – but it’s also okay to keep looking for joy in my new life. Even if that means quitting the gym life. There isn’t one right answer for everyone. Nor is there one right answer for each person over their whole life. Who knows? Maybe I’ll find a new gym to fall in love with. But at this point in time, this is what works for me:
Picking pumpkins with my punkins…
Do you all think I’m a wuss now? Have you ever gone through a great fitness depression? Have you ever had a gym you hated? Did you have a hard time quitting?? Anyone ever tried Fitwall?
I once quit a posh gym (great classes, luxurious perks/toiletries, uber clean, convenient location) because it was full of snots. Love my community centre now, and any gym where the focus is on what you’re doing vs who you are. Fit is important.
Thank you! This week, I’m going to quit my gym too! It’s expensive, open weird hours, and unfriendly. I’ve been walking and running more and that I can do outside now that it’s warming up here.
But to Kim, I’d tell her to buddy up with her friend and encourage her, because it is all about an encouraging environment and support system when you start out. It takes the intimation aspect away.
I think it’s great that you’re trying out new things. I definitely agree that no one *needs* the gym to stay healthy. There’re so many different ways of exercising in that side of the world.
As for me, I feel like my entire life has been a fitness depression. I really have to put in a lot of effort just to get myself to the gym (my building’s gym that has two treadmills, an elliptical, a stationary bike and one weights machine–so nothing fancy). If I didn’t have a gym in my building, I’d probably just buy an elliptical and a few free weights instead of joining a gym.
“No longer lend your strength to that which you wish to be free from.” [Jewel]
If you don’t want to be a part of a no-laughing, no-fun, overly-judgy gym – then by all means, QUIT. Get free.
There are 1,000 fitness options out there (preachin’ to the choir here, but so what?) – you’ve gotta find the combination of exercise, environment, and support that works for YOU as a gym/fitness environment. Those elements were all in place at your old gym: exercise you enjoyed, an environment with the equipment to support it, and friends who supported and motivated you. In your new gym…seems not so much. So forget it.
Go build yourself a new fitness environment. Mix up some classes, some garage workouts, and some box jumps at the playground. Put your strength into what you want to EMBRACE – and don’t look back.
Ah I love Jewel! Whatever happened to her?? And thanks for the support and the reminder to use my limited time/strength wisely!
I have quit several gyms usually during the one month trial period or the free membership. I need a strong community feel in my gym and if I don’t get that or I end up attracting some stocker type “friend” I leave.
If I am going to exercise I do need a gym. On my own I’ll end up reading a book rather than moving.
Reading is awesome. I totally get that urge! And I love a strong community too – I just need to keep working on finding/building one…
We switched gyms due to financial reasons and I went from six days a week to pushing myself to go twice a week. The new one is pretty but no one talks to anyone, unless it’s mid morning and then it’s senior citizens sitting on the benches, talking loudly about their cats. I’m refusing to step on a scale. I can only imagine! Completely understand your feelings. My buddies are gone.
((hugs)) I’m sorry you’re going through the same loneliness! It sucks.
Thank you so, so much for this post. I know you know my exercise (addiction) situation and how I can relate, and I really needed to read this right now. Like, REALLY needed to read this from someone that I trust and respect. Great post. XO
Oh I feel you girl! And thanks for saying you trust and respect me – that really really means a lot to me, especially today:)
Congratulations on quitting your gym!
I went to a gym once, but it didn’t work for me and I found it boring. I quit it because I had to move. However I have my exercise by doing yoga, making long walks, I bicycle and sometimes I go swimming. It’s great, I have all the freedom to do whatever I want, whenever I want, It’s free (except the swimming part) and I get healthy, fit and get a better figure.
I think it’s good for you too, Charlotte!
I don’t go to the gym as much as I used to either!
I wonder if it’s the same with Carla?
Ha, I don’t know! It would be interesting to find out. It seems from her blog she mainly works out at home. Maybe we’re just the trendsetters;)
I just quit my gym and trainer last week, after stalling for about a month, but I was so happy after doing it! Thanks for the great article!! I was in a rut because I had an amazing trainer who moved and I have been going to another trainer who, although a great lady, just wasnt Dan. I was also always saying to myself, I dont need to do anything else, I have a trainer. Now that I have “gone it alone” I find myself doing all the other exercises that I’ve always wanted to try! It was the best decision, I’m saving money, have more free time because I’m not tied to their schedulre and finally responsible for myself.
Yay- I’m so glad you’re happy with your decision! It sounds like it all worked out for the best in the end. Gives me hope;)
As a Fitness Coach at the Y, I consider it one of my main duties to help the new members find their “group”. Although I work upstairs with all the weight equipment, there are some folks I talk to who do not belong there, either body or soul. I send folks to zumba classes, yoga classes, spin classes, bootcamp, Gentle Strength and Fitness classes; where ever I think they will find a compatible group of gym buddies and activity to fit their interests. If possible, I introduce them to another member who I think has compatible interests and personality. I’ve had people thank me profusely for sending them to a particular activity where they were able to find their happy niche.
I wish all gym employees took their duties seriously. I find it very sad to hear that people aren’t enjoying themselves at the gym, because I KNOW that there’s an activity and group they would love, but they need someone to help them find it.
Aw I love you SO much right now! Thank you for doing that for those people and I wish I could go to your gym:)
You aren’t a wuss at all, and in fact THANK YOU for writing this, because it is exactly what I have been feeling lately too. I’ve been looking at it the wrong ay though – that I’m getting weak in my old age and while I used to be compelled to go to the gym, and never ever ever lacked for motivation, I find myself wanting to just….sit and read or garden or bake or basically do anything other than go to the gym. I was going to write that I’m feeling wussy myself, but maybe we’re just getting smarter? I’m still working out, but I haven’t paid gym fees in a year! I started taking random classes at a new fitness center too – spin last week and Jungle Gym tonight!
Your “old age” BUWHAHAHHAHHH *breath* hahhahahahaha. Oh, girl if you’re old I don’t even know what that says about me. But I’m glad to know I’m not the only one have issues like this and hey, maybe we are just trendsetters! And frugal;)
All my friends go to the same gym and are constantly asking me to join. I have zero desire to join a gym. I am someone who succumbs to social pressure in a situation like that easily. Even if it’s the first time I’ve ever done a class I will kill myself to make it look like I’m a natural and not really trying. I have come home from more than one hot yoga class so ridiculously sore because the girl next to me was stretching farther and I had to match it.
I enjoy working out at home so much more where the only competition is my own accomplishments. It’s easier for me to workout in ways I enjoy when no one is watching me. I like running outside, even in bad weather, because it makes me feel hardcore, and I need to feel hardcore even if it’s only in my mind.
The gym is a fantastic tool for some people, and I am really glad for them, but as I’m sure you’re very familiar with the most important part of an healthy lifestyle is finding exercise that you love so much it doesn’t just become a habit, it becomes your hobby. It doesn’t matter what that is, as long as you find it.
” Even if it’s the first time I’ve ever done a class I will kill myself to make it look like I’m a natural and not really trying. ” Hahhahha ME TOO. I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets that way! And I gotta say that anyone who has a post titled “That time when I raced Kara Goucher” gets to call herself hardcore no matter what!
I have felt that way about a few places, but not the gym I left. At first it was hard because I didn’t know what I was doing and I had the trainers staring at me, but after I met with one who was super interested in how I could best exercise and not crash, I wanted to go all the time. I still know the basic workout he gave me, but doing it from home isn’t providing that little extra accomplishment I felt at the gym. I am not up for joining another one though. Maybe I should give a yoga studio a try too. I’d need all the help to do it right. 😉 And we’re always up for a play date if you have loads of extra time.
Let’s do yoga together! Gentle non-fainting yoga though;) And I’d love to do a playdate with you guys:)
Our weird bicoastal living thing means I only have access to a gym half the year… which is just about right! I think there are good things and not-good things about exercising indoors using artificial contraptions, and the part about having to share/comingle with others has both benefits and frustrations.
I only just now caught up to your previous post about “the incident” and OMFG what superficial annoying butt-heads that gym seems to attract! I would LOVE to be in a class with someone like you and would probably follow you around in an annoying stalker-like fashion and chat you up in the locker room trying to get you to like me so we could possibly hang out. Sigh. I am the weird one in our gym–well, me and the 80 year old dude with the orange fake tan who parades around in a crop top tank and hot pants– though I’ve been lucky enough not to overhear any conversations about me.
Hmm, any chance you guys want to move to San Diego? 🙂
Hehe I haven’t called anyone a butt-head in years (decades?) but I’m totally resurrecting that one now! And I kind of love your old orange old dude. I love people with character.
Oh, GURL! I’m going through the same thing, myself.
But different. I still really love the people working out in my gym. The management drives me nuts (again). I’ve been frustrated but fine with adapting their “commercial box gym” attitude and equipment to my “small box gym” way of working out.
But the no bags on the gym floor rule-and strict enforcement- is driving me away. HOW do I adapt my workout without any of my own equipment?
I’m stubbornly trying to stick it out, but I find myself getting up and ready and then NOT WANTING TO GO TO THE GYM. And it’s hard to train for power lifting without a barbell.
Yeah pretty much every gym I’ve ever been in has had a no bag on the floor policy and I’ve always brought mine anyhow. (Gloves! Tabata timer! Jump rope of appropriate length! Towel! Keys! Water bottle! too many things to hold!!) I’ve only been asked a couple of times to move it though. I’m sorry – that would drive me nuts!
Charlotte,
I loath some gym culture, well okay let me be fair, I loath repetition (I love people). If there was ever a place to squash that open release of stress experienced during an activity- it is at a “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you do it again” type of gym.
For me, the gym kept getting in the way of soccer matches with friends, hikes, and chasing nephews- so I quit. I picked up Aikido and yoga years ago, and they suit me for now. In my humble opinion chasing kids, taking long hikes, or utilizing muscles to actually build or do something you enjoy is a better approach Charlotte.
How many reps you can kill yourself with, or struggling to fit an ideal (thin or barbaric), isn’t truly healthy. It is falling into a fitness trap of worrisome diets, and costly memberships. Do what naturally draws you to keep moving, that’s it! By the way curling 100lbs kiddos is a free activity, if you can get them to hold still. Be well Charlotte!
Haha I love your humble opinion Aaron! I totally curl Jelly Bean now… but she’s nowhere near 100 pounds lol. Good point about suiting your workout to your life rather than your life to your workout:)
I think it’s terrific! The gym can be a great place, but only if it’s the right fit. And I truly believe that we all need different things at different stages in our lives. In grad school, I would have gone crazy (well, craziER) without my gym. With 14 hour days, 6 days a week, it was the one place I could go to get away from everyone and everything. Fast forward a few years, and I was a SAHM with 2 young kids and a husband on tour. I did my workouts at home and took the kids to parks, libraries, museums, etc. (like you did!) A couple years later it was back to the gym, but this time as an instructor. I worked at a few different types: A JCC, a mid-line, affordable-but-meat-markety-gym, and a very posh, high-end “club” (which definitely didn’t refer to itself as a “gym,” lol!). My favorite was the JCC, although I absolutely adored my clients at the mid-line.
Now I’m working out on my own again, except for a couple of yoga classes a week. With everything that goes on, I find I need some alone time. And combining that with exercise really clears my head & gets the endorphins going.
And anyway, any gym that doesn’t value you, Charlotte, certainly doesn’t deserve you!
I need a lot of alone time too. I remember reading about the JCC on your blog and loving your descriptions of it!
First of all – I love this post coming from you! Big steps, lady!
Second, I feel you. I’m kind of outgrowing my gym – I used to use it for almost every days workouts, now I’m there to make use of weights equipment twice a week, and to swim in their little tiny 15 meter pool with the aquacize ladies. I really LIKE the people there, but I don’t care for the classes much, and it costs WAY too much for what I use it for.
I’m looking at the cool, snazzy, triathlete gym which is RIGHT by my work, has a LAKE in back, free SUPs, outdoor and long endurance spin classes, dance party yoga (and SUP yoga), a rock climbing wall… everything that sounds amazing, but I’m scared because I don’t like leaving the sure thing (and they don’t do guest passes, you have to buy day passes for like 20 bucks to try it out).
It sounds like something worth trying out for sure! Although I’m dying to see what SUP yoga would like! It sounds… wet, lol!
Charlotte, it’s so good that you’re doing what makes you happy! That’s the only thing that matters. I quit a gym a few years ago (I loved it but my work hours never let me go to any classes) and it was a weird feeling, as someone who’s been an overexerciser. It was liberating but scary and I know I felt a little uncertain, like I was loosing some of my identity. It was weird.
On the other hand, can I give you my $0.02? I so understand what you’re feeling with missing your old life. When we left CA a couple years ago it was soul-crushing. I didn’t belong to a gym but I had tons of different groups of friends there and it sucked hard to leave. I still miss it. Only time helps I found too. It sounds like the gym you joined isn’t great, if they don’t have good classes and are always canceling stuff. But I think you might have to accept that while what you had at your old gym was really, really great it might have also been really, really unique. I’ve belonged to gyms across the country now and I’ve never had what you had. I’ve gone to the same classes every week for years at various places and the instructors never learned my name and I never got friendlier with people other than a quick smile. If you want to belong to gym (and of course nothing says you have to! But you might want to again someday) you might have to come to terms with that.
Hopefully none of that came across as harsh! I didn’t mean it that way. I used to be envious of your gym life but I just don’t know that that’s a reality in most places.
It DOES feel like losing my identity a bit! I’ve always been “the gym girl”! Kind of disorienting… And good point about my previous situation being unique. I knew it at the time (like you I’ve been to lots of gyms!) but I guess I was hoping to get lucky twice;) You didn’t sound harsh at all!!
I don’t have anything much to say because I have never had the kind of gym life you have had – and it’s been years since I went to a gym regularly. I have exercised at home (and outdoors) for years now and the only thing that bothers me is the fact that I occasionally wish I had better equipment..
I don’t find it surprising at all that you wanted to quit the gym membership – it’s obviously wasn’t the same thing as you old gym with your gym buddies. The first thing I thought when I read about you moving to Colorado was “What about leaving your gym buddies behind?”. It must’ve been difficult to give them up.
Take care!
Aw thanks Satu! It was hard giving them up…
I’ve never stayed with any one gym longer than three months because I really *hate* going to the gym! I especially hate the “big box gym” I belonged to because no one was friendly, the personal trainer who did my orientation session berated me for running and the zumba/hip hop instructors were not nearly as good as the ones at my local community education!!
For me, I do my best with DVDs at home, running with friends and drop-in fitness classes through community ed.
I really need to look into community ed here! Thank you for the reminder!!
Thank you much for this article! It comes at a perfect time as I am also going through a gym depression. I just didn’t know that’s what it was called. I just quit my gym I had been so in live with the past two years but a change of ownership took the joy out of it for me and I finally quit by email cause I was too chicken to quit in person. I am training for a half marathon to be run in two weeks but then will be looking for classes or something else to do. So nice to know I am not alone!
You are definitely not alone! Keep me posted on how things go for you and what you find that you like…
OMG! I haven’t commented in ages but had to on this one!! Yeah it sucks that the gym didn’t see you for all your coolness (their MAJOR loss) but I know you are going to look back and say they did you a favor. I am excited for all you are going to discover and do as a result. I’m kind of letting go of my own gym “enslavement”. I’m willing now to let it go at peak race times, and I’m not so OCD about doing. It’s a way healthier relationship. I’m learning to take time off training as needed. Congrats, Charlotte!!
Ooh I wish I could give you big air fives! For BOTH of us!! I remember when I first “met” you we were both kinda slaves to teh gym. Yay for growing up and moving on;)
A great post as usual! I do like my gym, but I mix it up too. Nice job quitting and time with family is the best!!!
Thanks Mary!
Charlotte – I love this post & the steps you took to get where you are now – I bet a month from now you will be posting fun out of the gym workouts for us! 🙂 You want your exercise to be fun & not dread it for sure so enjoy this time & your finding what is right for you.
I have had thoughts of finding a way to do my cardio out of the gym. My biggest issue here is it is crowded & lots of traffic so I am not one to want to take the extra hour or more to drive somewhere to do my cardio & the drive home. Weights I love & will always be my gym love BUT the cardio – I am trying to figure out that – I need to move closer to hills & outside places that have room! 🙂
HUGE HUGS on the friends – I understand that!
Thanks Jody! It’s good to be flexible:)
I quit the gym I had been going to for almost two years because she expanded, joined up with the local hospital and basically told her old members to go to he!! by giving a $5 discount to new hospital members, but nothing to the loyal gym-goers that had made the expansion possible. It was almost like being cheated on and a subsequent divorce at first. Oh, but I. I did survive…As long as I know how to run, you know I’ll be alright…I found a whole new bunch of things I loved to do better than go to the gym. I only really went to hang with my homies, and we hang anyways. So I got some dvds and started running and bought kettlebells and dusted off my beloved bike. It’s all good. And I’m not spending any extra money every month. Ahhh, the frugal Minnesotan in me loves that part the best.
Oh man, that’s a way worse gym breakup story! Ouch! And yay for frugal people! And Minnesotans!!
Being a calisthenics enthusiast, I only go to the gym because that’s where I work. Other wise, I’ve long enjoyed a good playground and I can set up a BW gym in my basement / garage for less than the price of a few rusty adjustable hand weights.
I say, explore the gym-less options. The more you become independent and don’t need the gym, the more you’ll enjoy it when you do go if you ever do.
After all, no piece of cardio can replace a hike/walk/bike ride (especialy in this state) and no weight machine or free weight can match a good set of pull up bars.
I know! And I still need to get together with you and learn some of your tricks!! (Please say hanging upside down is involved? I love upside down.)
Of course hanging is part of the plan 🙂 hanging is one of the best ways to train. Have you ever notices how jacked the primates are in the zoo?
ummm…….never mind that example. But yes, it’s very good training!
I miss Friends, too. That scene is PRICEless!!
I’ve never belonged to a gym. I love to work out at home (and at the occasional yoga studio or Zumba class), for the exact reasons you mentioned. Plus, if I have to pack, drive, unpack, change, etc., then I’m not going to do it. If all I have to do is walk into my spare room, then I’m much more likely to get it done. (I know people can go either way with this; some people never get around to working out unless they have the mental shift of going to the gym, and find home too distracting… that’s definitely not me!). I say enjoy the newfound freedom! Also, hugs to you. Missing friends is so tough. Time does heal… and here’s hoping you’ll have some chances to visit, too! xo
Thanks Tamara! I’m still not sure if I’m one of those people who would be too distracted at home – I haven’t been trying it long enough yet I think…
Time will tell! I’d be inclined to think the variety would certainly appeal to you. 🙂
I actually just wrote a post a few weeks ago about why I think people should cancel their gym memberships! Basically, I said there are so many other options out there so why toil away at something you don’t love?
“Tesseracting”? Is that a Marvel reference? If so, I think I have a new internetz crush.
If not, well, great blog anyway.
If you are looking for community where you work out, why not try a crossfit box? You said before that you really liked it. I know it’s expensive, but maybe just try for a month and see how it goes. You said before that you loved the workouts. I bet you would love the people too.
I can be very social. Life of the party even. Beloved and appreciated and sought out.
I have ALSO been dissed and callously dismissed.
Both circumstances occurring throughout my entire life.
I have learned NOT to let the former feed my ego…
…as well as not to let the latter destroy my self-esteem.
AND I know that in any setting and circumstance…in regards to me…either reaction is possible.
I am pleasantly surprised if I reach out and be me and receive an overwhelmingly positive response.
If the response is phony or cold or negative…or insincere…or if I am ignored…its not new… so I mind my own and get stuff done.
I’m adaptable that way!
Common courtesy and acknowledgement is nice…sincere pleasantries are pleasant…
…if they are absent I deal.
Those types of people are NOT the type of people I feel sad about not hanging with anyway.
I couldn’t agree more with your post! I just recently published an article to encourage others to Quit Going to the Gym and decide to have a home gym instead. The benefits of a home gym or more traditional exercise regimen far outweigh the benefits to a designer gym any day!
Really worthwhile write-up. Spend awareness
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Great post! I am planning to quit the gym this week. I have started dreading going as well. I also have chronic injuries that will never heal if I keep looking longingly at the squat rack and giving into temptation. Time to cut the cord and move on. Thanks for the inspiration to do so.