Let’s just state the obvious: It’s very hard to get oneself out the door to run, or just to exercise in general. Sometimes if I’m in a foul mood and because I’m a 30-something-baby, my mom walks me to the gym and makes sure I go in.
I do a lot to try to keep it fresh n’ fun, so I’m introducing a new semi-regular series where I share what keeps me (and you, the #community) motivated to get out the door and get the endorphins pumping when there are a million other things I’d like to do. Life hacks, if you will.
#1: Turn a TV show into a workout
I haven’t been running very much lately due to my ankle, but I have been spending a lot of time on the spin bike at the gym. I used to have the Peloton app, but I have a rule that I can only subscribe to one fitness app at a time, and I’m currently trying out ultrarunner Sally McRae’s strength workouts on Playbook. (Also, sometimes I’m really not in the mood for Peloton instructors.) I’ve gotten pretty good at creating my own spinning workouts while watching TV. For example, every time the camera angle changes, I give the resistance dial a half-turn. For dialogue-heavy scenes, I do a full turn when the speaker switches. When background music is playing, I take the resistance down and speed up. It ends up being a decent workout. Maybe I should quit my job and start a “TV and Torque” virtual fitness studio.
#2: This one isn’t really a tip, just a tangential thought.
The show I’ve been spinning to recently is The Sex Lives of College Girls and there’s been a lot of squealing on my part that I, quite frankly, cannot control. I have a lot of thoughts about the show, but the one thing that really stands out to me is Nico and the French tutoring. I took French from 6th grade through senior year of college and let me tell you: hot frat guys like that don’t take French in college. I do love the show though and cannot wait for season two. More more more! This is a very good show to reach treadmill nirvana.
#3: Flour + sugar + butter = fuel
I’ve been fueling my workouts with baked goods lately, which really is the best way to fuel. Last week, I made oatmeal scones from Dorie Greenspan’s new cookbook Baking with Dorie. I was going to make the lemon poppy version this week but I didn’t feel like getting my counter all flour-y, so I made these muffins instead. Eating a scone before working out in the morning is a choice that has really improved my quality of life. My husband and I also came into the possession of eight Levain cookies the other day, which I cut into quarters and put in the freezer after eating a whole one with whipped cream (see below). On days when I exercise later in the day, I’ve been eating a piece of cookie on my way to the gym. I know what you’re thinking: Tom Brady and I have the same diet.
Anyway, what are you baking, watching, reading, doing to get yourself motivated to exercise as we approach these dark dark winter days?
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