What I Know For Sure

I've been known to argue practically to the death over a point that I think I'm completely right about...only to find that I'm dead wrong about it. Is it because my children have killed off some of my brain cells? Or because I'm a bottle blond? Or just too stubborn?

In any case, these days, there isn't too much that I know for sure.


Other than that I know for sure that I will never be on the People of Walmart the Gym.


Something else that I know for sure is that I can't sing.  At all. Even my two year old covers his ears in pain when I try.  But, while I might not end up as the butt of someone's blog post punchline due to what I wear to the gym, I very well might end up there because I often forget that just because I have my headphones in while I'm listening to music on the elliptical, people can still hear me if I sing outloud.


I can't help it.


Not Ready to Make Nice by the Dixie Chicks: I'm not ready to make nice, I'm not ready to bow down, I'm still mad as hell and I don't have time to go round and round and round....


All I Wanna Do by the Sugarland: All I want to do wo wo wo wo wo wo wo wo wo wo wo wo wooo is love you...


Stand by Rascal Flatts: You get mad, you get strong, wipe your hands, shake it off, then you stand, then you stand....


Back Where I Come From by Kenny Chesney: Back where I come from, it's where I'll be when it's said and done....

What I know for sure is that my singing voice should be outlawed in the gym. But, only after they ban guys wearing bootyshorts.


Linking up with MamaKat's World-Famous Writer's Workshop.


If you did not get a chance to read this week's Pour Your Heart Out about body image or check out any of the linkers, please check them out HERE.

The People Of Walmart...I mean, the Gym

Hubs has claimed that our gym is like "The People of Walmart." Okay, okay- it suits our purposes, but it's never going to be featured as one of the most fabulous gyms around.

I really thought about taking pics for this post but I couldn't figure out how to be discreet about it didn't want to gross you out thought that would be rude.


Still, he's so right- here are some things that I've witnessed that are big Gym Don'ts:


*Don't workout in your jeans.  Jeans don't breathe.  I try to be sensitive about things that cost money, but you can go to Walmart and buy yourself a pair of $5 sweatpants or shorts.


*Don't wear bootyshorts. This is particuarly true if you are a man. A man who likes to lean over the elliptical, pushing your booty even further up in the air. None of us wants to see that. And even if you are a woman who is in fabulous shape, well, bootyshorts might be okay, even if it will make other women hate you. Just make sure that no one can see anything that they shouldn't.


*Don't use the treadmill in your flip flops or dress shoes.


*Don't wear spandex. Just don't. And neon spandex is a double no.


*Don't forget that the girls need support.  Even if your girls aren't very big, they are still going to be bouncing around. And can be seen through your tank top. And if they are big? Well, they shouldn't be peaking out the bottom of your shirt. Say it with me: sports bra.

Gym Tips for Those Who Hate to Workout

I hate the gym. I hate working out.


Especially in the beginning. If I can get myself into a routine, I actually enjoy get used to going and want to be there.  But, until I get myself to that point, I moan and complain about going and find a million excuses not to go.


But, one of my New Year's Resolutions was to get to the gym on a regular basis. And the weather is warming up, so I feel a need to be bikini-ready sundress-ready. 


I'm now on week four of going to the gym on a regular basis(3-4x/week).


So, if you are like me and have a hard time getting into a gym-going groove, I'll share my tips with you.


*Pick a time of day to go to the gym and stick to it. For me, this works best if I'm already out of the house. I usually go right after I drop off my oldest two boys at their schools. Youngest and I go directly to the gym after this. If I head back home to try to get "a few things done" before going to the gym, time will fly by and I'll never get there.


*If you can find a workout partner, that helps A LOT. Even if you end up doing different things, knowing that you are supposed to meet someone at a certain time will help you get there.


*Start SLOW.  Do not try out the hardest class that the gym offers on your first visit in a while.  You will feel like you are dying both during the class and maybe for the next few days and have no desire to go back. If all you can do at first is 30 minutes on the treadmill, then just do that- it's still much better than not having exercised at all.


*Drink LOTS of water. It's important to drink lots before you start working out, too. Starting when you are already dehydrated is not going to help.  If you drink all the water in your water bottle, do something to lay claim to whatever machine you are on by leaving something on it or yes, walk out of class, and go get more water. My first week, I felt the need to fill up my 16oz water bottle 4 times in an hour. I needed it.


*Gradually add time on to your workout or try something new.  I'm a fan of the elliptical, but was shooting hateful glances at admiring this woman's legs and realized all she did was the stairmaster, so I decided to try that. For 10 minutes, which made me feel like collapsing.


*When you do try a class, don't feel bad if you need to take a break.  Even if no one else is.  Most people are too wrapped up in themselves and how they are doing to care what you are doing. Go drink some water.


You notice I'm just talking about working out at the gym and not at home- I really admire those of you who can do this.  It doesn't work for me because I can ALWAYS find a distraction at home.  I need to actually be somewhere where all there is to do is workout. Even though I'm sometimes tempted to use the gym as a place to shower without children walking in on me.


This is what works for me. Do you have any tips to add?