The first casualty

[xraytheenforcer]

hahaha. The prednisone Hulk-like rage just took its first victim -- the exercise thread at Westeros. I have to be honest -- I cannot stand people who crap all over those of us who prefer or need to go to a gym rather than "exercise outside like Gawd intended." Suck out my farts, you know-it-all know-nothings.

**This is not a slam on those who prefer to run outside. It's awesome that you can. Due to my asthma, I cannot. But I am most certainly not "destroying my body" because I run on a fucking treadmill.

Comments

lol

[mandyly1977.livejournal.com]

Fuck em!

Re: lol

[xraytheenforcer.livejournal.com]

Ha! Indeed. Enjoy the sea breezes!

[smofbabe.livejournal.com]

I have one answer for the nature freaks: W-E-A-T-H-E-R.

[xraytheenforcer.livejournal.com]

Totally. Also, all kinds of safety issues.

[regina-of-york.livejournal.com]

Don't make Martha angry. You won't like her when she's angry!




I didn't read the thread, but what the hell? While I'm all for excercise outside when possible, you have to consider:
1) bad weather (have you guys also been getting the 40 days and 40 nights of rain we have--it blows)
2) lack of daylight hours when one isn't at work (which is a big problem for us for 4 or 5 months each winter)
3) lack of safe areas, especially for women working out alone
4) not to mention the superior variety of equipment, pool, classes, etc. at the gym.

[xraytheenforcer.livejournal.com]

Yep. All of the above. Mostly I was pissed off on behalf of other people (like Lany and all of the other women who lurk in that thread and are struggling with weight loss) who get slammed by people for not conforming to whatever they think is the "right" workout. And there's a vocal contingent in that thread who crap all over those who go to the gym. So fucking annoying.

[sage-brush.livejournal.com]

I get so sick of the "It's my way or the highway" types.

[xraytheenforcer.livejournal.com]

Oh yes. Some of their points may be valid, but without any context they might as well be giving advice to a mangabey.

[thebadlady.livejournal.com]

what about snow? are you supposed to jog through snow? dats fucked up.

[xraytheenforcer.livejournal.com]

Snow, ice storm, Cat-5 hurricane. If you don't, you're just a wuss who doesn't really care about your body. (I kid a bit -- I'm sure most of these people wouldn't run in the snow either.)

[scott-lynch.livejournal.com]

Right the fuck on. What a stupid thing to get self-righteous about... around here, in December/January, the walking paths crust over with ice under snow, and serious injury is just one slip away. One thing the mechanized gerbil machine in my basement has going for it is that you don't tend to randomly get thrown on your ass while mounting or dismounting it.

you don't tend to randomly get thrown on your ass while mounting or dismounting it.

[xraytheenforcer.livejournal.com]

Hahahaha.

This is true. Although I do know two people who have managed to be thrown off of treadmills -- their own faults, though, for being idiots (one was apparently ogling Jennifer Connely and the other was futzing with his iPod.)

[xraytheenforcer.livejournal.com]

Also, nice to see you 'round these parts again. :)

[furriebarry.livejournal.com]

Once I worked out my run up I haven't fallen off for ages. Not enough space to get up to speed in a lot of gyms though, you have to be careful. Someone should work out a safer way to mount/dismount.

[alanashinean.livejournal.com]

I thought that was a really good post, Martha, and I liked the one from Kat that preceeded it

For me it was simple embarrassment that kept me from running outside. I'm overweight and out of shape, I don't want to deal with the mental strain of worrying about what I look like in addition to getting more exercise. I feel comfortable in my gym, and can concentrate on my goals and not on what other people think of me.

The number one reason I don't post in that thread is that I don't feel comfortable being critiqued by internet assholes (even well meaning ones) when I feel like I'm still in the beginning stages of my journey.

.

[xraytheenforcer.livejournal.com]

Exactly. This is exactly why I'm angry -- nobody should feel belittled in that thread and it really burns me when it happens. Especially for those of us who are at a disadvantage, just starting out (some of us for the 3rd or 4th time) and who are still trying to figure out what all of this stuff means.

I also totally understand the comfort of the gym vs. being critiqued out in the wild. I feel much the same way and am way less self-conscious in a gym environment.

Anyway, you'll get nothing but encouragement from me. I'll only dole out the advice if it's specifically asked for.

[silanah.livejournal.com]

The number one reason I don't post in that thread is that I don't feel comfortable being critiqued by internet assholes (even well meaning ones) when I feel like I'm still in the beginning stages of my journey.

Amen to that. (Also the eating thread)

N

[rudbekia.livejournal.com]

You know, you have been awesome in this particular category for as long as I've known you. Keep on keeping on.

[xraytheenforcer.livejournal.com]

*hugs*
Thank you.

[suzgrad.livejournal.com]

Hah! One more thing: pollution. When my doctor back in Indiana found out that I was moving to Houston, he specifically told me NOT to run outside, at least not from March through December.

Not to mention the 95+ degree 70%+ humidity weather. And that I'm not supposed to run anymore anyway. It is indeed a nice activity if you have the right surroundings, but the harm it does to joints makes me wonder why people would think it was God-Intended.

[weaklingrecords.livejournal.com]

Good Lord. After attending today's 4th of July festivities here in Lansing, I just want these people to move around in ways that don't involve putting food in their mouths. Indoors, outdoors, treadmill, track. Fuck it. It doesn't matter. Just keep moving without eating! Holy crap! I have about 12-15 pounds to lose before I'm in good marathon shape again, but I felt downright svelte in the crowd today.

[metzhead.livejournal.com]

I've had a fair bit of lung butter recently which I'm pretty sure is from running outside amidst the massive amount of CO2, ozone, and all those chemicals that end in -ene that are in copious supply in metro Phoenix.

it's a sad thing to deal with, being shut out of the outdoors due to pollution, but it may very well be healthier to exercise indoors.

[isis-newton.livejournal.com]

Oh, those silly, silly people. I hope you hurt them.

I am all about the outdoors stuff. Gyms = Other People and that's my main reason for not going there. However, any exercise is good exercise and anyone who says one is better than the other is being ridiculous.

[scriva.livejournal.com]

Your and Kat's remarks were totally appropriate. While I prefer outdoor activities to gyms, everyone should do what they want and what they can within their means. And I'm pretty sure it's still healthier to use the treadmill than jog along a busy street in a big city.

That said, furthermore good luck and energy to you. :)

[nora-anne.livejournal.com]

I definitely prefer to run outside simply because it's prettier and more interesting. I get bored and discouraged when I run on treadmills (I've only gone that far already?!?! And I'm running that fucking slow?!?!). Of course, if there is snow I'll run inside (I love running in the rain) or if I want to get really specific distances in. Also where I live now is in some little mountains, so it's a bit hilly to run outside.

To each their own, I don't get why it's a big deal!

[beniowa79.livejournal.com]

I definitely love to workout outside if I can, but I can certainly understand how gyms are a viable choice. Heck, I have to go indoors myself for Iowa's cold winters and hot summers.

Exercise is exercise. What's the big deal where you do it?

[uberneedle.livejournal.com]

Now, I haven't been following the thread for a few days - but I'm just going to say I feel crapped on for not exercising 'properly' at a gym in that thread sometimes. Gyms cost money. I don't have it. So I'll run in a crappy sundress if I want 'cause it's free :p.

Ideally no-one should be crapping on anyone for the way the chosse to do things, but I think there are a-holes who look down their noses on either side of the divide, is all.

[uberneedle.livejournal.com]

And having now read the thread, that's pretty much what you said - 'stop crapping on people, everyone'! and said it very well too...so I'll shut up now :)

[xraytheenforcer.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it can get a little thick on both sides of the debate. If running outdoors is all you can afford right now, it's still better to do that than nothing at all and you should be encouraged for what you're doing rather than being damned for what you're not. If, later, you can join a gym or otherwise supplement your regime, awesome. But you shouldn't ever feel belittled because of your particular situation. (at least, that's my opinion on these things.)

[jonsiron.livejournal.com]

Geez, I didn't know it was an either-or kind of thing. I've been struggling with getting exercise here in Houston because I do run outside, and it's just downright unbearable right now! If I had the discipline to run on a treadmill for a given period of time, I would probably be better off and more consistently exercising right now. As it is I run best when I'm chasing a spinning piece of plastic.

Regarding some topics mentioned above: I'm naturally thin and physically active, but I struggle a lot with flexibility. Lucky for me, few people look askance at you for not being able to sit cross-legged. I have great respect for those who struggle with their appearance and face societal judgement for it. I am lucky that my shortcomings aren't considered fair game for public disdain.

[addienfaemne.livejournal.com]

Is it bad that I want to become a GRRM fan just to lol at all this drama?