I work in digital advertising, and I received a call from an earnest entrepreneur several weeks ago, looking to advertise his innovative and exciting new project, one that all women would love.
It's simple, he said, it's so simple and yet revolutionary.
And he went on to explain: it's a holder that seamlessly snaps on to your exercise equipment. You can put your magazine on it, but it's robust and sturdy: you can also put your laptop on it to do work while you ride or run or climb! You could even put a Kindle, maybe a small TV. The possibilities are endless.
My mind started spinning. Dude, how much better would a workout be if I could watch Intervention or a trashy chick flick while I galloped along? What if I could read about Jennifer Aniston's true love while I climbed up Fake Mount Everest? Would I still be combatting Mom Bum and Advancing Muffin Top?
I think there is a component of the population that would think, yes, for sure: best of both worlds. But. No. If I can read while I trudge, or watch while I run, I figure I'm not really working out, I'm half-assing it.
I think workouts are supposed to hurt like hell. You're supposed to wish almost every moment over.
I believe if you're not straining, breathing hard, and pondering the possibility of vomit, you're not working to your full capability and you're not maximizing your potential.
I also believe that the end of a workout, when you know you've pushed to your utter max, when the sweat trickles down the side of your temple and glugging ice water is more appealing than sex, chocolate, or a vacation in Belize -- is one of the best things in life. And the feeling when you see a new muscle created of sheer force of your own will, of ugly, gritty, stubborn effort - is just as unparalleled.
I try to sprint at the end of a gruelling run, to do one more lunge when Jillian Michaels tells me I'm finished. I'm now trying to workout at least 3 times a week at the gym, understanding finally that "I totally hate the gym" is just another lazy excuse, getting in the way of my goal to be the best I can be. I think that plugging away at a Word Document while I run - or yelling angrily at Dr. Phil's visage - totally get in the way of those efforts, too.
Caveat: I should note that it's just my opinion, the whole push till you want to die thing. I'm sure there are people who can expell less effort and still be totally fit. But still, I bet they're not watching TV while they run, either)
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