I think we should be treated much like gun buyers, who are required to wait a period of time while our credentials are being checked before we can buy a gun. I wonder if a two week cooling off period shouldn’t be required for those of us who want to jump right in and act on our annual New Year’s resolutions. One reason for this cooling off period can be found in my experience. I have a basement full of ab machines, treadmills, bicycles, thigh reducers, dumbbells, barbells, step machines, rubber straps for weightlifting—to say nothing of the dozens of DVD featuring butt-busters, thigh-busters, ab-busters, Cher exercises, and even Richard Simmons’ Dancing with the Oldies.
I use most of these items, not for weight loss, but for bookends, paperweights, and other, non-physical purposes. I’ve signed up for a number of different health clubs, but I’ve rarely lasted more than a month or two. I’m still required to pay their dues for the balance of the year. And worse, I have a guilty conscience for the rest of the year because I don’t go.
I believe that I don’t need an expensive machine in order to exercise. I also believe that while watching Desperate Housewives, one can get down on the floor and do some sit ups or lunges. Misery loves company, so why not invite your spouse and children to exercise with you.
I’ve also found that if you give the responsibility of timing the exercise to the younger children in your family, they will never let go, nagging you until you’ve finished, and not allowing you to cheat on the repetitions.
