I wasn’t born to exercise. That’s just the straight-up truth. The whole concept of fitness just doesn’t quite appeal to me.. partly because I’m lazy (oops!), and partly because I feel it’s all so useless. You feel like a hamster on a wheel and the moment you stop exercising, your body returns back to it’s “natural” un-exercised state within 2 weeks. What happened to aaaaaall the months and years of dedicated exercise? Nothing, that’s what! ‘Cos it all goes down the drain the minute you stop 🙁 So I know that to be fit, I need to do it regularly and basically never stop. And that really is just too much of an effort for me.
Plus, I’m a firm believer of being your natural, true, self. In its un-exercised, un-dieted state. It’s cos I can spot girls a mile away that have exercised themselves thin – they have this strange, ‘off’ look about them, and are always going on about this diet and that diet (very boring). I like seeing people that are true to themselves and are their natural size – because that’s when they look their happiest and their best IMHO 🙂
But now, I’ve discovered a super fun way to exercise! It’s a bit of a no-brainer to most, but it’s new to me. Exercise with friends. Honestly, it’s the secret to being able to get off your fat ass. I never could just exercise by myself in the gym – no motivation and just can’t be bothered. But exercising with friends is so much different!
We’re doing boxing classes now. 5 of us in a class, so it’s maximum attention. Girls only! We have it twice a week and it’s MAD FUN!!! We’re learning the proper technique of boxing, as well as doing boxing moves. It’s a lot harder than it looks. We have to build up all our coordination, learn to be quick on our toes, and build muscle mass to punch with. You can read my girl friend’s account here for another perspective.
It’s a fabulous workout and a great way to get rid of rage inside you 😉 One class burns around 500-600 calories, which is a LOT. I cleverly calculated it to equate to one Big Mac burger. YUMMY.
The only downside? I’m not losing any weight whatsoever, because the boxing classes are making me ravenous. I’m now eating almost double of what I normally do during the day, and seem to be constantly hungry and craving for something – kinda like I’m pregnant. Except I’m not. D’oh!
But, I’m hoping I’m at least building up muscle mass.. so I won’t be all jiggly and fatty when I run or bounce. And that is worth it!
What’s your favourite form of exercise? By yourself, or in a group?
For me, most definitely classes with friends 🙂
A video of me boxing like a little girl 😛
Practising our boxing moves
Our trainer. He’s one crazy good boxer!
Grinning through the pain like a bit of a weirdo 😛
Not relaxing, but doing leg lifts. OUCH!!
I don’t care much for exercise either but in the past year, I’ve gained a fair amount of weight so realised I could do with some MOVEMENT in my life (I’m as bad as you if not worse -always eating and love lying in bed ha!).
So now I’ve slimmed down a bit and I have to say, when people exercise it really does look better because you have that firm look which you wouldn’t otherwise achieve. Over-exercising (which I would never do anyway considering how much I hate it) is a definite no no…really horrid, dried up look I don’t recommend going for.
YES! When people exercise themselves beyond the normal capacity and so they really shrink – can spot it a mild away cos it’s this unnatural look and you know they’re really unhappy. I think it’s awful cos they should just be happy the way they are normally :X
GOod on ya for moving your ass though, I am trying – it is SO HARD but I have to say classes make a huuuge difference in motivation 🙂
Hehe, I’m totally like you!! A couple of years ago, I was super motivated and got a personal trainer to design a program for me. I ended up sticking religiously to it for about 3 months before I got so hideously bored that I was constantly looking for excuses not to go. That’s why I love classes more, it’s so much more motivational with other people!
I’ve been doing Bollywood dance classes and pilates classes with a friend for a couple of months now, and am having an insane amount of fun 🙂
The only solo form of exercise that I don’t find boring is swimming )I just suck at it and have no stamina)… It’s a bit hard to do that with others, unless you’re doing synchronised swimming or aqua aerobics.
I think a personal trainer is the best, but you’re right, hard to get motivated when friends aren’t there to hassle you 😛
Chris adores swimming! That’s his sport of choice..
I’ve started boxing too (just once a week for an extra cardio boost). It looks so simple, but then the instructor makes me move my feet and hands simultaneously – not even punching, just keeping my guard up! – and I’m like “buh??”
Oh cool! Haha but I’m with you.. it’s HARD to do all the moves, and quickly too. WE’re only beginner level.. soon we’ll start actually punching each other (ie. both using gloves, not 1 using gloves and 1 using pads) – eek!
I don’t care much for exercise either but in the past year, I’ve gained a fair amount of weight so realised I could do with some MOVEMENT in my life (I’m as bad as you if not worse -always eating and love lying in bed ha!).
So now I’ve slimmed down a bit and I have to say, when people exercise it really does look better because you have that firm look which you wouldn’t otherwise achieve. Over-exercising (which I would never do anyway considering how much I hate it) is a definite no no…really horrid, dried up look I don’t recommend going for.
YES! When people exercise themselves beyond the normal capacity and so they really shrink – can spot it a mild away cos it’s this unnatural look and you know they’re really unhappy. I think it’s awful cos they should just be happy the way they are normally :X
GOod on ya for moving your ass though, I am trying – it is SO HARD but I have to say classes make a huuuge difference in motivation 🙂
I don’t care if I work out with friends, but I used to hate exercising myself! I found that doing group classes each week is great and adds routine to my life. I did hot yoga and just finished my second series of capoeira. Checking out pilates next!
Yeah I like group classes, but only with friends cos then you feel you HAVE to go or they’ll find out and hassle you, heheh
Boxing sounds fun! I work out a lot actually! I have a work-out body otherwise i wouldn’t go to the gym that often! Keeping each other motivated is great. I basic run or do cardio one day and wheight training the other day with one or two days off and sometimes spinning classes to spice things up!
Wow I think you have a lot of self motivation! I think i can’t do it unless it’s with friends and they make me get off my ass, hehehe
Hehe, I’m totally like you!! A couple of years ago, I was super motivated and got a personal trainer to design a program for me. I ended up sticking religiously to it for about 3 months before I got so hideously bored that I was constantly looking for excuses not to go. That’s why I love classes more, it’s so much more motivational with other people!
I’ve been doing Bollywood dance classes and pilates classes with a friend for a couple of months now, and am having an insane amount of fun 🙂
The only solo form of exercise that I don’t find boring is swimming )I just suck at it and have no stamina)… It’s a bit hard to do that with others, unless you’re doing synchronised swimming or aqua aerobics.
I think a personal trainer is the best, but you’re right, hard to get motivated when friends aren’t there to hassle you 😛
Chris adores swimming! That’s his sport of choice..
I do some form of working out most days. Usually at a medium level of exertion. I LOVE spin class and go 2-3 times a week. Now that the weather is beautiful, I like to jog in my neighborhood. There’s a mountain close by that I like to hike up. And some days I just go boring and hit the treadmill or elliptical at the gym (boring, but I have a great workout high for a few hours after)
Wow you’re good! Esp since it’s all individual activities.. Im so bad with that, can’t get myself motivated to get off the couch :X
it’s getting nice outside here too, thank goodness! I am SO over winter..
I’ve started boxing too (just once a week for an extra cardio boost). It looks so simple, but then the instructor makes me move my feet and hands simultaneously – not even punching, just keeping my guard up! – and I’m like “buh??”
Oh cool! Haha but I’m with you.. it’s HARD to do all the moves, and quickly too. WE’re only beginner level.. soon we’ll start actually punching each other (ie. both using gloves, not 1 using gloves and 1 using pads) – eek!
Fun. I like going to the gym on the elliptical and watching TV.
I like the elliptical too, problem for me is that I end up going so slowly I don’t really burn any calories.. lol
I don’t care if I work out with friends, but I used to hate exercising myself! I found that doing group classes each week is great and adds routine to my life. I did hot yoga and just finished my second series of capoeira. Checking out pilates next!
Yeah I like group classes, but only with friends cos then you feel you HAVE to go or they’ll find out and hassle you, heheh
Boxing sounds fun! I work out a lot actually! I have a work-out body otherwise i wouldn’t go to the gym that often! Keeping each other motivated is great. I basic run or do cardio one day and wheight training the other day with one or two days off and sometimes spinning classes to spice things up!
Wow I think you have a lot of self motivation! I think i can’t do it unless it’s with friends and they make me get off my ass, hehehe
I do some form of working out most days. Usually at a medium level of exertion. I LOVE spin class and go 2-3 times a week. Now that the weather is beautiful, I like to jog in my neighborhood. There’s a mountain close by that I like to hike up. And some days I just go boring and hit the treadmill or elliptical at the gym (boring, but I have a great workout high for a few hours after)
Wow you’re good! Esp since it’s all individual activities.. Im so bad with that, can’t get myself motivated to get off the couch :X
it’s getting nice outside here too, thank goodness! I am SO over winter..
I chase after fat kids with a stick of celery… Good exercise for both of us. Stop running already lardass! It’s not gonna kill you! *puff*
That would prolly work on me too 😉
I totally agree, I’ve been more motivated ever since I started working out with my sister. It’s been way more fun, too! 🙂
It’s so hard to exercise when it’s just you! I can’t seem to get off the couch 😛
Fun. I like going to the gym on the elliptical and watching TV.
I like the elliptical too, problem for me is that I end up going so slowly I don’t really burn any calories.. lol
Whooo! Your trainer is hot!! 😛
oh ROFL! Man he is gonna love to hear that…… 😛
where is this?
hiiii beverly!
i live in shanghai also, and i would LOVE to take boxing classes… but i don’t know where to find them? where do you take your boxing classes? how much does it cost?
you can email me at:
[email protected]
thanks! i love your blog, by the way. there are so many restaurants i would love to check out!
Re: where is this?
Will email ya about it 🙂 How cool you live here too!
I chase after fat kids with a stick of celery… Good exercise for both of us. Stop running already lardass! It’s not gonna kill you! *puff*
That would prolly work on me too 😉
I totally agree, I’ve been more motivated ever since I started working out with my sister. It’s been way more fun, too! 🙂
It’s so hard to exercise when it’s just you! I can’t seem to get off the couch 😛
Whooo! Your trainer is hot!! 😛
oh ROFL! Man he is gonna love to hear that…… 😛
where is this?
hiiii beverly!
i live in shanghai also, and i would LOVE to take boxing classes… but i don’t know where to find them? where do you take your boxing classes? how much does it cost?
you can email me at:
[email protected]
thanks! i love your blog, by the way. there are so many restaurants i would love to check out!
Re: where is this?
Will email ya about it 🙂 How cool you live here too!