The Making of a Gym Rat

By On September 18, 2007 · 15 Comments
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I thought I would take some time to write about my newfound hobby, working out.

I can’t stress enough how much I loathed working out in the past. I mean it, really, I hated it. Nothing gave me less pleasure them exercise. Nothing. Of course, I went through all the cycles of motivation and set unrealistic goals for myself in the past. I remember saying I would get up an hour early every morning and jog. I would do it once and then decide I had enough. I would get all gung ho, join a gym, waste the money and never go. I bought exercise equipment that became permanent fixtures and drying racks for my clothes.

Fast forward to today…

Tonight I went to the gym, brought my book, set the bike for 25 minutes, and when time ran out I actually kept going. After 30 minutes on the bike, I hit the nautilus machines and worked out my lower body. Then the wall, that large confidence-building monstrosity was calling my name. I attempt the inclined side, fell flat on my face, and then got back up to climb the easy side for practice (mark my words I WILL climb that incline and make it to the top to ring that stupid bell, it’s a personal goal). I left with my head held up high, my arms shaking and a sense of accomplishment.

So how did this happen? How does a self-proclaimed exercise hater become a gym rat?

The answer might surprise you.

S-L-O-W-L-Y

Seriously, it’s a journey, just like dieting. You can’t expect to lose weight overnight. You can’t expect to change all of you eating habits overnight. And you can’t expect to change your views of exercise overnight. It’s just not possible. It takes small consistent changes that you can live with and incorporate into your life easily.

I started by making a commitment to shut off the TV on weekends and get outside. That soon turned to taking after dinner walks. I made my stay active “rules” like taking the stairs, parking far away and dancing with the toddler. Soon my dance sessions increased and my walks became more frequent. Then I started doing some organized exercise routines before bed using small hand weights. Finally, I joined the “Y” and now I’m at a point that can’t live without it. The gym is my escape, my time. Two years ago if you have told me that my free time would be spent at a gym I would have said you were crazy. I started my weight loss journey (this successful one, at least) June 2005, that is over 2 years ago and I just started going to the gym 6 weeks ago.

All right, I didn’t plan on such a long post tonight. I was inspired by my awesome work out tonight and I wanted to reflect. I still can’t believe I love the gym! I just can’t believe it!


Morning Scale Reading: 144
Food Points
Cheerios with 1/2 banana and 4 oz of skim milk 4
Kashi Granola Bar 2
bowl of stuff I made for lunches this week – whole wheat pasta, ground turkey , peas in "They don’t know what’s in there" Pizza Sauce (estimate) 5
small bag of popcorn 2
Crispy Baked Parmesan Crusted Tilapia with a side of 1 Point All Purpose Veggie Filling and some brown rice 9
8oz light flavored yogurt 2
Totals 24
Daily Activity Log
30 minutes on the bike – lower body circuit – Climbed the WALL!
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  • zazu

    Congratulations on your new found hobby! I am still in the loathing exercise stage (except for dancing and walking the dog…) Thanks for sharing your story, it helps to know others were where I am now and succeeded!

  • MtngirlinCali

    I’m very excited about your new hobby as well! The rock climbing is very cool— before you know it, you’ll have your own equipment and will be taking outdoors. :)

    Just make sure that you eat some of your activity points, missy. Read Barbie’s blog and you’ll understand.

    OK, done preaching, but want to make sure you get enough in you to fuel all these workouts, especially when you increase intensity and go longer than 40 minutes.

  • Anonymous

    I’d like to start off by saying I love your website. As so many others have said before, “I can relate.” This year, after 2 kids & a set back with a broken foot I decided it was time to take care of me. I joined weight watchers (w/my husband who said he’d give it 1 month) and we’re still going strong 7 months later. I have 11 lbs to go & he has 3! Anyway, I too joined the gym & love it. There’s such a sense of accomplishment when you’re done. But it wasn’t easy. After I joined my weight loss stopped for about 2 months. I couldn’t lose a lb even though I was faithfully working out which was discouraging. There were weeks I said I was quitting but I kept going and finally kicked it and have been losing every week. Keep up the good work. There’s nothing better than a good sweat:)

  • Anonymous

    First off, GREAT JOB!!!

    I, too, never ever EVER exercised in the past. At 33 years old and 230 pounds, I was too embarassed to get my fat butt to the gym, jiggle my rolls, turn purple in the face, and sweat all over. I realized, however, that I had to suck up my pride if I wanted to get fit, strong and svelt.

    When I decided to start loosing weight for good, I signed up to walk in the Breast Cancer 3-Day event. At first, I couldn’t walk 3 miles! I’ve been training for 7 months in anticipation of this event. I also hired a personal trainer to lead me through weights and cross-train 2 times per week.

    I agree completely that exercise, like beer, is an acquired taste. Now I can’t go a day without my healthy “fix”. I’ve lost 57 pounds thus far and plan on loosing another 23 or so.

    I feel strong. I feel healthy. I feel more in control while exercising than ever before. I am training like an athlete and loving every minute of it. It’s such a high, and I never got this kind of buzz after eating a cheesecake. It’s my motivation and my new passion.

    I guess all I’m trying to say is, like you, if I can do it anyone can. Keep it up and you will see what I mean :o)

  • webers4fun

    Hi Roni! I’ve never commented before although I’ve found your recipes really great and your story inspiring! I’ve lost about 30 lbs so far and have 30 more to go. I have the benefit of being married to a personal trainer, and he gave me great advice to get started on my workouts. I hope you don’t mind me passing a little advice your way. You will get much more benefit from your workouts if you do your weights before your cardio. Here’s why:

    1. You will be stronger and will get more out of your weights when they’re done first. This means you will boost your metabolism and burn more calories throughout the day.

    2. The weight training will get your body into fat-burning mode for your cardio so that when you do your cardio you will be burning more fat right away. Normally, if you start with cardio, it takes 15 – 20 minutes to get to the point where your body is burning primarily bodyfat instead of the food you’ve eaten during the day. This will make your cardio work much more effective than if it was done separately or first.

    So take it or leave it, but I thought you might be interested. Again, thanks for your site, it has helped me make the transition to healthy eating by giving me some great ideas!

  • Anonymous

    Roni your page is so inspiring!!! I also saw that you had a Kashi Granola bar for 2pts. I found something better that you may or may not have tried. It’s a Fiber One Oats and Chocolate bar and it’s only 1 pt and it is sooo yummy!. Thanks again for the inspiration.

  • Dani Spies

    Becoming a gym rat is definetly a great new hobby…congrats!! Way to stay with it!

  • Dulcie

    Roni… do you remember reading my blog (before the crash) when I doing my exercise challenge (I wanted to win the most hrs worked out.. I didnt win, but I wasnt last either). You said… I sure wish I could be a gym rat like you are. And now look at you… You may not need that extra surgery now too… you may just be able to exercise it away!

  • CaRoLyN

    Congrats on your new found love of the gym! I just joined the Y last Monday and I must say, I am loving it. I bring my WW magazine or tune into the news or just people watch (I’m a HUGE people watcher) and the time seriously FLIES by! Gotta love that!

    I wish our Y had a rock climbing wall! I’d love top try it out.

  • Inhale then exhale

    I love endorphins… I think I spelled that right.
    Off to get me some :D step class at 5

  • Erin

    Thanks for the welcome! I hope you enjoyed Sexy Back playing on your inner radio all day! ;)

  • Renee

    Hi Roni,
    Thanks for sharing your story. I think I joined the Y here in my town the same week that you did and my transfornmation has been SO similar to yours. Not only does it do good things for my body (I LOVE feeling stronger), but I enjoy going because it’s ME TIME. I used to hate working out and now I get bummed if I miss a day or 2. Yay us! for changing our ways and becoming “gym rats” :o)

  • Roni

    Thanks for all the great comments guys. I really am loving it, went again tonight!

    webers4fun – I NEVER thought of that! I’m going to switch my workouts around! THANKS!

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