Couples
We do everything together - except exercise
by Denise

A couple of weeks ago, TW was talking to RJ (she's 13) about relationships and RJ said something like "You and Denise are perfect together, just like peanut butter and jelly." Oh brother. I'm really glad I wasn't involved in that conversation, that's just a little too much for me. Not that she isn't right, we are perfect together. We don't fight. We enjoy the same types of things. We have often had similar jobs. There are actually very few things that we disagree on and the things we disagree about are pretty minor things - like grits. Yuk.

I think we're more like peanut butter and peanut butter than peanut butter and jelly - and I cannot believe I just said that. Forgive me.

One of our differences was our outlook on exercise, "was" being the key word here.

As a kid, I played softball, basketball, I ran track and I was a cheerleader (Yes, I admit it and am proud of it. Cheering is hard work.) TW played no sports.

As an adult, I've done a good bit of hiking, biking and even some running. As an adult, TW wouldn't be caught dead running (which is a good thing because watching her run will give you a heart attack from laughing so much.)

TW has often thought about exercise, as an adult. She's purchased exercise equipment... and then not used it. When she started that new job a couple of years ago, the one that puts her smack dab in the middle of diet, weight loss and fitness folks, we had to go out and buy her a pair of sneakers and a new pedometer because she was going to GET IN SHAPE and she was going to start by walking everyday. That lasted for a couple of weeks. That's typical TW - she's excellent at grand gestures and big ideas but not always great at follow-through.

Now that I'm older than dirt, I'm a lot less interested in exercise than I've ever been. When TW was into that walking everyday thing, I walked with her but I grumbled about it the whole time. Who's got a half hour to spend walking? We could still be in bed sleeping! Or we could be getting a head start on our work day, have you seen my inbox??? Or we could be reading!

Then, we got the Wii. Wii Sports inspired us both to get just a bit more active. We were playing several times a week, if not every day. We were enthusiastic about it. We ordered the Wii Fit and our enthusiasm carried over to that.

TW's Wii Fit motivation came from wanting to make sure she had the high score in every activity - or almost every activity, (the woman cannot do step aerobics.) Heaven forbid I (or a kid) beat her high score!

My Wii Fit motivation came from something else - and I'm not really sure I know what that was. I wish I did because now that our Wii is working again, TW is back to using the Wii Fit everyday and I. Am. Not.

Maybe if she gets closer to beating my score on step aerobics, I'll get motivated. But really - I shouldn't wait that long, it could take years...

Fatinah goes to the gym with her husband, the very idea makes me queasy.

Zan says I should just do it, motivated or not.

Wait! Maybe I need one of these treadmills - or two of them, so TW and I could walk and work together...

Are you motivated to exercise by your partner? Or by something else?

~~Denise
Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise (view blog) on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 12:02pm

Comments

 

Older than dirt??

You're only a few years older than I am. Please don't say that. ;)

I'm motivated to exercise by the results. I like to be strong. I like to feel my muscles. I like to be able to lift heavy stuff, open jars, have lots of energy and stamina. I like to feel healthy. 

----

A Mommy Blogger and a Blogger For Hire

Submitted by Vered on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 12:31
 

Owning age...

"Older than dirt" is a term of endearment around here. The kids call themselves "older than dirt" because new dirt is being created every day - so we are ALL older than dirt. I've embraced the phrase as being something positive, and so the kids have embraced it as such, too.

You're far more health-minded than I am, I should strive to be more like you. I'll work on that, errr maybe. :-)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 13:01
 

Oh Heavens No!

Husband and I took tennis lessons together. Thought it would be a great idea and give us something to 'do together' that would be fitness based. Tried to play together and I was no match, so he was bored and I was disgruntled and we fought . . . that was the end of that lol!! We both run-solo. We both like tennis-with other people. We do enjoy biking together and hiking together and taking walks, and we enjoy skiing together, but if the idea of it is to do it competitively then we can't do it together. 

Kathy

Allbusiness:Working Mothers

Mama Marathoner

 

Submitted by Kathy333 on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 14:26
 

So no competitive Wii for you?

hah!

I remember my mom and dad playing tennis together and I suspect there was a bit of angst about that between them. Maybe that's how I learned NEVER to play competitive sports with a partner. :-)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 14:33
 

Cracking Up

I was thinking about that Wii idea when I posted, and I'd say definitely not lol! Not unless it was like guitar hero or something :)

Kathy

Allbusiness:Working Mothers

Mama Marathoner

 

Submitted by Kathy333 on Wed, 01/21/2009 - 17:14
 

guitar hero can be a workout

Or it looks like it can. I haven't played it but I've watched the kids play it quite a bit.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Thu, 01/22/2009 - 10:15
 

We need to get the Wii

We need to get the Wii Fit.  Aside from my daily dog walking, my primary motivation to exercise is competetion. I love to compete.  If I'm not competing, I'm not really motivated to get all sweaty for nothing. Man do I miss playing hockey right now.  BP is not motivated to exercise by much.  We aren't really compatable work out buddies.  The only sport BP likes, is the one she can kick my ass at, tennis.   There's not much tennis that gets played around here from the months of October-April.  So not much working out gets done at place.

A Wii fit would probably be a great thing for us.  We could compete against either, and work out all at the same time. 

Submitted by no_I_am_zoe on Thu, 01/22/2009 - 10:06
 

You should!

A good work out for both of you but fun, too. Not that I know much about that since I haven't logged into it in more than a week.

Maybe I should take a break and do 30 minutes right now...

hmmm

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Thu, 01/22/2009 - 10:17
 

Different Workout Theories

My husband and I have VERY different view points when it comes to exercise. He likes to light weights, I like fitness DVDs and walking. I always say my way's the best, he says his way is the best. Funny thing is, we never lose any weight! Oh well!

 The Clueless Newlywed, Nikki Flores

Submitted by clueless newlywed on Fri, 01/23/2009 - 12:56
 

You're both right

Strength training builds muscle which actually helps you burn more fat when you do aerobic exercise.

So you are both right.

Unfortunately, it's hard to do both when you don't like both types. It should be easier, shouldn't it?

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Fri, 01/23/2009 - 14:27
 

Whoops! Type-o

Light weights should be "LIFT WEIGHTS"

 

The Clueless Newlywed, Nikki Flores

Submitted by clueless newlywed on Fri, 01/23/2009 - 12:58
 

Gasp! I could never work out

Gasp! I could never work out with my husband. When I went to the gym, I did it at the weirdest hours to avoid everyone else. Now I work out at home when I get the urge when my husband has gone off to work. I'm like TW, I resolve to do it, do it for a few weeks, then forget it--the only difference being that I come back to it eventually when the mood strikes me. Or when I hallucinate that I'm getting flabby.

I would LOVE to have the motivation to stick through it. Lord knows I could use some endurance. I get tired making the bed! It's unconscionable! I envy people who play sports and have fun doing it, like my parents and sister.

I've been thinking a lot about taking up Latin dancing, though. Now that's something I would love.

Submitted by avflox on Mon, 01/26/2009 - 04:53
 

Endurance and dance

I think the whole endurance thing will ultimately be what motivates me. I don't get tired making the bed (but then again I don't make the bed) but I certainly don't have the stamina that I used to. And in cold weather, it's worse.

I've seen a lot of people who love latin dancing and found that while it was a great workout, it didn't feel like exercise so they enjoyed it more. Do it and blog it. :-)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 01/26/2009 - 07:37
 

You know that when I do, I

You know that when I do, I will!

Submitted by avflox on Mon, 02/09/2009 - 23:30
 

if we could get our schedules together

 

I would love to get back into running together, it is way more fun and I need the motivation that comes with working out together!

But he runs so early... 5 am.  Just too insanely early for me!

http://superfabuloushousewife.blogspot.com/

Submitted by Michelle McKinley on Mon, 01/26/2009 - 05:00
 

Explain the more fun thing?

Way back in the day, I used to run but always alone. I would have hated to run with anyone and can't imagine why it would have been more fun to do so.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 01/26/2009 - 07:38
 

The coach

Exercise should be highly enjoyable. My partner has a tendency to behave like an overly energetic coach, screaming: "Higher, faster, more" - when we try to exercise together. As a musician I do the same thing to myself when practising, so exercise has to be fun and "relaxing" - something I do to feel good. I like to run in loose powdery snow for instance, but there must be a possibility to stop for some star gazing (the snow is at its most pretty at night with a lot of shimmer) or to look for traces of northern light.The exercise bike and yoga are also best without running commentary. I love him a lot, but exercise is best on my own. 

http://madhattersapprentice.blogspot.com/

Submitted by KLinnea on Sun, 02/08/2009 - 14:47