I think for most people, January contains a period of genuine reflection, especially regarding your health. I know that I have reflected in many different ways on numerous occasions.
I have said to myself, I am going to get fit this year! Normally after a successful period of socialising and drinking over Christmas & New Year. This has mostly manifested in me joining a gym. I remember I joined a gym in Holborn in London very handily placed beside my office. I went 3 times. The first time I went I said to myself this is very busy, waiting to get on machines, using the machines and feeling self-conscious about knowing how to use them as some smug git waited for me to finish. However, I went back and as soon as I stepped in the door I thought, I am on my own, have no plan, and no knowledge about reps and sets. This is cack. The third and final time I went it was busy, and it was after work so I was hungry and the thought of getting home around 9-10pm was really unappealing. Why am I doing this again….bugger it, I am not really unfit, the belly is not huge and I have no bird anyway so who am I trying to impress. I walked out the door, stuck a Marlboro Light in my mouth, headed off to the tube and the safety of home. Unfortunately, I had signed up for 12 months so they tried to fine me and harass me into honouring the contract. This didn’t work as luckily I had little money so it was never an option to pay them, was a complete disorganised mess so they had trouble getting hold of me, and when they did I told them to get lost and they eventually gave up. However, that was a warning to never try gym membership again.
Running is so much easier than the gym (for me). It requires very little expertise, at least in the initial phases, there is no one standing beside you waiting for you to get off that section of the path, and no uncaring asshole wanting to take money off you if you don’t honour any kind of commitment. The gym is not my friend and I don’t think it ever will be. Also, those stupid machines that they put in the park, what the hell are they about! Good intentions but no use to man nor beast.
I know you get the meatheads on TV and on Youtube with the great bods, no fat, and a rippling 6 pack talking about forget cardio, but that is just a load of horseh*t for someone in their 40s, soon to be 50s. I do reserve the right to change my mind on that by the way!! I’d sort of think I’d like to get to a place of a mix of both but for a normal person there is no feckin time for all of that. I want to put on a pair of shorts and T-shirt and leave straight from my front door without any other hassle.