I’ve done yoga, barre class, and spinning. I’ve tried exercise videos for kick-boxing, yoga, core workouts, and T-25. Back when we had a wii, I even gave wii fit a shot. (Not the best way to get a challenging workout, trust me.)
Sometimes it feels like the only exercise I’ve ever stuck with as an adult is running.
I remember feeling some trepidation when I got online and ordered a pair of spin shoes and bike shorts. After all, I didn’t stick with barre classes or yoga, but at least I hadn’t invested in gear for either of those misadventures.
Then I realized something – I might not still be doing barre, and I never signed up for another intro to yoga class after my first set got cancelled 2 classes in, but I’m still exercising and I’m still trying new things. I’ve even got a yoga video on hold at the library right now because I’d like to take it back up again so I can really stretch my muscles a few times a month.
I’m not a serial quitter, I’m a serial beginner. I’m regularly trying new things, and supplementing my running with whatever type of exercise I currently enjoy most. For a while, that was barre classes. Recently it’s spinning… and I’ve actually dusted off those T-25 videos and been doing them with Will on occasion.
The great thing about running outdoors is that it doesn’t require a gym membership. That makes it easier to justify a 3 class pass to a great yoga studio near by, or a 10 class pass to carry my spin habit through the holidays.
I can mix it up, and I’m not stuck finding classes at the gym that work with my schedule. I can pick from any of the places around that work with my preschool schedule and let you pay per class or buy small packages of classes. I love that, because paying per time is a much better deal than a monthly subscription if you’re incorporating a class for variety and not going regularly. I go to spin about 3 times a month – I love being able to pay for a few classes at a time and use them when I feel like it.
So go ahead and try something new, and don’t worry about “sticking with it”. Maybe what you’re sticking with is a rotating set of “plus this” exercises that complement your running. It’s nice to have a few indoor, group exercise classes you enjoy that you can do when it gets cold, dark and icy! You don’t need to stick with it for it to do something positive for you – it’s enough that you tried it for a while, moved on to the next new thing, and can circle back if you like.
So dust off that old workout video and do it once this month. Call your local spinning or yoga studio and ask if they have an introductory price for first time clients. Ask if they’ll give you that price if you haven’t been in over a year but are hoping to start again!
Don’t feel like a quitter if you take up yoga hoping to go once a week and it doesn’t work out. Quitters are sedentary. You’re just moving on to something else to add variety, stay mentally energized, and increase your repertoire of things you can do to stay active. And that’s awesome.
LOL – sounds exactly like me! I’ve tried yoga, Tai Chi, Shape DVDs, P90X, free weights and Wii fit — and running is the only thing I’ve stuck with.
The half marathon training program I’m following has days of “stretch & strengthen” and cross training, so I throw a P90X Core workout or free weights into my workout schedule.
Haha, I figured it’d resonate with some people 🙂 The great thing about workout dvd’s is they’re always there in the closet, costing no additional money, to pick back up again to boost your strength training or flexibility. They’re mind numbing if that’s ALL you’re doing, but as a supplement, they’re fantastic. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to do T25 with Will in the room – his attention span is good enough for me to finish the full 25 minute workout, and it’s intense enough for me to feel more energized. No, I didn’t follow the full program 5 days a week, but those DVDs still contribute a valuable pick-me-up when I’m short on time but want to break a sweat. Not bad, right?