(Spoiler alert: I am going to babble for a while!)
I only get defensive about a few things. Working out is one of them.
My mom and I used to work out to Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda. Good times. There was this one video where a bunch of people in track suits and sweats sat in a cafeteria eating copious amounts of junk food. Not only is the food incredibly greasy and sauce laden, people are literally jamming handfuls of it into their mouths! It's beyond disturbing. After a minute or two of the nastiness, Richard Simmons bounces (that man didn't walk: he bounced) in and yells at everyone to "STOP!" It's a heartwarming moment when everyone magically switches out sweats for leotards and leg warmers and appears in Simmons' workout studio! After watching all that, you then start to jump around and throw various limbs in various directions for about an hour with good ol' Richard. It's epic.
At least, it was to me in the '80s, working out with my mom in the living room. And then in the '90s. I think we wore that tape out!
We stayed active with walks, hikes, workout videos, etc. the whole time my mom homeschooled me. We ate pretty healthily, though my increased conscientiousness tells me we had a ton of white pasta and bread and sausage. It was Minnesota, and we weren't rich. Minnesota, in fact, is known for french-fried onions, Velveeta, cream-of-anything soup, and various other deliciousness. My mom dabbled in that, but she also made us eat whole grains. I used to whine and question every healthy thing; I've since apologized.
Anyway, I ate pretty well my whole young life, then ran into a roadblock in high school. I discovered the cheapest food in the cafeteria was pizza and french fries! I think it cost $2.25, which meant I would still have money for one of those giant sugar cookies with pink frosting from the vending machine! Yes! Did I mention everything but the cookie was dipped in Ranch?
I gained weight in high school.
The other day, Shawn actually told me he could tell a difference in my face in high school pictures. I didn't realize this was the case - I thought the big glasses and huge bangs were the only differences. :-) Anyway, my mom and I did South Beach after I graduated high school, and I lost ten pounds before leaving for college.
College presented another test! The cafeteria made some awesome, buttery, meat-and-cheese filled sandwiches I enjoyed eating at lunch. And there was ice cream. And my friend and I would use our credit at the school convenience store to buy Dove bars. And I stayed up late studying at Starbucks, feeding my desire for various coffee-ish concoctions
while feeding my brain.
To remedy what I saw as some impending weight gain, I started drinking SlimFast stuff religiously, even when I felt faint and my tumbly was rumbly. A friend finally let me know that I wasn't being healthy by not eating enough. Then, fortunately for me (and my heart), a
friend/roommate introduced me to something called
The Firm.
Don't get too excited: it does not involved Tom Cruise. Instead, it's a series of workout videos! The ones we used in college featured '80s-style hair and leotards, which made them that much better. As time has passed, I've amassed a larger and more modern collection, but I have several I absolutely love and use often. Most are an hour of mixed cardio and weights.
Here's the defensiveness part.
When people ask what gym I belong to, I answer, "I actually use some really great videos at home!" The reaction to this statement depends on the person's previous experience. Some have only seen a flailing Richard Simmons or something else which caused them to think videos are worthless. Some have done videos themselves and get all excited, asking which ones I use. Some go "Oh..." and proceed to change the subject. Usually those die-hard gym-users. I definitely don't think there's anything wrong with the traditional gym! It has plenty of merits, some of which my videos do not share.
However, I do NOT want to get in little clothes and go hang out with other people in little clothes, and then sweat everywhere. I do NOT want to watch the people who think they're working out doing it the wrong way and feeling proud. I do NOT want to see the people who are half Hulk and can do more and better than I. I do NOT want to shower and change in a common area <dry heaving> or see others do so. I also don't know how to guide myself through a proper workout at a gym. I would prefer to leave that to an expert.
I take my workouts very seriously, and I have high expectations. If I check out a video from the library or watch one OnDemand and it's not challenging or thorough or the leader uses incorrect form, that video is outta here! I have what I think is a good feel for what's good and what's bad for my body. Because I care so strongly, I am very frustrated when I'm not taken seriously.
With all that said, please excuse me while I go put on my leg warmers and leotard.
