I tend to get into ruts. When I was fat this was bad because my rut consisted of watching TV and eating White Castle burgers on the drive home. The small square burgers seemed designed to fit easily in my right hand while I kept my left hand on the wheel. Now my rut is a healthy one where I come home to run or do Pilates and grill a chicken breast, but it’s still a rut. Maybe I should just call it a “routine” and not a rut. It has more syllables and sounds more PR friendly.
I was thinking about trying a new exercise DVD or something, but there’s part of me that just wants to stay in the rut. After all, what I’m doing seems to be working. Why fix what’s not broken? Such is the force of habits and the comfort of familiarity, keeping us doing what we’ve always been doing.
I was browsing through Netflix, my Internet DVD rental service, and realized they have tons of exercise DVD’s. I’ve always hated that I had to buy an exercise DVD before I’d watched it and could determine if the instructor was going to drive me to exercise or drive me insane. I added some to my queue so I can check them out before purchasing. But part of me thinks I’ll probably just stick to my same old, same old. It’s hard to move out of a rut, as anyone who’s tried to lose weight probably knows. I’m just glad this rut is currently a good one.
Annie says
January 10, 2007 at 9:41 amIt’s a good rut to be in at least a healthy one. However there is reason to mix it up. Our bodies get very use to do the same things when it comes to exercise and it stops benefiting us as much. So good for you for checking out other DVDs on Netflix.
Boston Girl says
January 10, 2007 at 10:04 amIf NetFlix has them, you should try the Core Rhythms workout videos. It’s latin dance moves turned into an exercise video. It’s a blast and gets the heart pumping. It’s like Dancing with the Stars right in your living room (only you don’t need a partner for these). :)
Rachel says
January 10, 2007 at 10:58 amI’m a firm believer in the rut. Like you said–if it’s not broke, why fix it? It’s funny you should mention this because just last night my best friend was trying to convince me to change my eating habits and I put my foot right down and told her, “Why would I do that? I’ve found something that works for me and that I can live with. I’d be an idiot to change it!” Ruts are good!
CanadianGirlie says
January 10, 2007 at 11:20 amDefinetly, if it’s not broken why fix it. You are losing weight doing what you’re doing. Why change it???? If you’re bored and might stop doing it, then change it, but if you know you’ll keep up with it and it’s workin…well…..
jodi says
January 10, 2007 at 1:08 pmlove the progress photos, you can really see the difference in your face too… i don’t have much in the boob area to begin with and always lose more than i would like… why can’t i redirect the fat loss to my thighs instead… :o)
Patty says
January 10, 2007 at 1:17 pmIf you enjoy what you are doing, the eating and the exercising then stick with it. It seems to still be working for you. But I agree w/ the above poster, if you are bored, then a dvd would be a good thing. For me, I like variety when I go to the gym. I change it up regularly as I tend to get bored after a while.
Dena says
January 10, 2007 at 2:12 pmIf you like using weights you might enjoy some of the Firm workouts. I know they tend to be rather “gadgety”, but if you like it and decide to buy one of their kits, you can usually find that stuff for a reasonable price at Target or Walmart.
It’s always good to shake things up, especially if you stop seeing results or you begin to get bored.
Keep up the good work Girl!!!!
Kitt says
January 10, 2007 at 3:54 pmIf you’re not bored, it’s a routine.
If you’re bored, it’s a rut.
Sounds like a routine, so go for it!
That said, I try to at least up the ante a bit every so often; click the next dial on the bicycle, or add more weight to the ankle weights I’m wearing. This January I started wearing ankle weights around the house when I’m not exercising. I like the idea of passively strengthening the legs.
Thanks for the idea about Netflixing the workouts! I’m off to check a few now. Will you do reviews?
Samiam says
January 10, 2007 at 6:22 pmI agree with Kitt if you’re not bored or unhappy then it’s not a rut, but rather a routine! If you ever do get bored I would recommend joining a gym that has classes, I really enjoy the variety that my gym has and there is just something about a real live personal interaction!
Sally says
January 10, 2007 at 6:51 pmGee, funny you should mention Netflix for workout vids. Tomorrow I’ll be test driving a copy of your fave “Pilates-Beginning Mat Workout.” I love using Netflix for this purpose, and they have *tons* of choices. I’ve owned workout vids in the past, but I get seriously bored after about 4 viewings. It makes me feel like I’m in “Ground Hog Day,” knowing exactly what everyone on the screen will do each and every time unto eternity….creepy.
Marla says
January 11, 2007 at 6:26 amYou know they always recommend that you change your workout every 4 weeks or so – the body adapts. Same with diet.
It’s a conundrum: we work so hard to establish the habits of healthy eating and exercise, we don’t want to mess with them when we find something that works.
I like the Netflix idea; I had tried a couple dvds from them and didn’t like what I got, and then never got around to searching out some more. Thanks for the reminder.
Kristi says
January 11, 2007 at 9:57 amAnother good way to test run exercise videos is by picking them up from your public library. Most libraries let you keep videos and dvds for 7 days w/o any charge at all. That said, you look awesome in your latest photos. Keep up the inspiring lifestyle.( I’m having trouble posting so if it shows up twice, sorry!)
anji says
January 13, 2007 at 7:21 pmHey! I love the bellydancing videos. They don’t look like a workout but – they ARE definitely. There’s one with twins (almost sounds like a porn kind of thing) but – they are nina and vina vishnu (heh) but – it’s good.
The other one I liked is Kathy Smith’s Latin Dance workout. It looks a bit dated now (or, that could be just ’cause I still use VCR and it’s getting fadey-like) but – it really gets you going.
Something like that, just makes you feel sexy (and sweaty!) afterwards! Not sure why, it just does and it makes you feel good :)