Dateline Boston — The month of January is so stupid. I got all excited about Christmas — made cookies, cake, and got chocolate in my stocking. Ate a lot of junk, happily, then started seeing articles and posts on social media about joining the gym and eating healthily. I couldn’t eat all that good junk food between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
A week into the New Year, I am starting to feel the pressure. Yes, my jeans fit a little more snugly than they did a few months ago. Sure, eating a bagel with cookie butter for breakfast every day is probably not a good idea. I have decided to lose the seven pounds I lost last year by going back to what helped me then—a salad every day. I make a mean salad. It has lots of yummy and healthy stuff—romaine hearts, avocado, tomatoes, red onion, chicken, carrots, and cucumbers. I eat it, and I am full afterwards. For awhile. Sometimes I get hungry later. This can pose a problem when I have a bag of sugar-laden treats waiting for me in my bedroom. For the most part, I have paced myself. I also have come up with a great idea that could help me burn those extra unwanted calories.
I want a stationary bike! I actually had this same idea two years ago, but I never did anything about it then. Well, 2016 is a new year! What better way to get in shape than by pedaling while doing what I love most—watching TV! It’s gotta help somewhat, right? I put a post on Facebook, asking if anyone had a stationary bike they wanted to get rid of. Immediately I got offers for three treadmills. No, thanks. I do enough walking. And running ain’t my thing. I’m going to pedal my way to a new me.
I’ve used a bike before, back when I had a personal trainer and more money. I’ve also used a bike during physical therapy. Sure, in both instances I was only on the bike for 10 minutes, tops, but I figure if I do it for 20, or even 30 minutes, something good will happen to my body.
Can You Sweat While Watching?
Some friends do spin classes. I’ve heard of these classes. There’s music playing, lights flashing, and an instructor yelling encouragement. You can go anywhere you want, up and down hills, through the scenic countryside. You sweat a lot. I’ve seen it on TV. It also costs a lot of money.
Can you sweat from biking while watching TV? I’m not sure. I think the goal is to sweat—that’s what makes a good workout, yes? I think I’ve sweat maybe five times in my life. Believe me, it was never from working out. Like maybe I was really nervous before a presentation, or it was a really hot day.
In any case, I think I’ll scan Craigslist for used bikes. I’m sure lots of people have had the great idea to bike during TV viewing. Too bad for them, they didn’t stick to it like I will. Maybe after I get in shape, my junk mail folder will stop containing ads like the one I got the other day for an outlet that sells walk-in bathtubs.
Ms. Vaillancourt may be contacted at snobbyblog@gmail.com
