Top 5 Reasons why I hate the Gym

1. Gyms play the most awful music for you to workout with.
2. There are only two types of ppl who workout at the Gym: the xtremely fat and the very fit. (The fat ones are here to make friends, indulge in various time-pass activities, pick fights with the management 'bout their obvious lack of progress, create scenes, etc. The fit ones have come to lose half an inch frm their tummies and 1/4 inch frm their thighs :D Being an in-between makes you a highly conscious, xtremely unfriendly, attention-seeking weirdo.)
3. Every instructor has his own ideas on what exercise you must be doing and his amazing theories on which part of your body it tones. (If instructor A asked you to pull the dumbells forward for your shoulders, B tells you to push them back for your triceps. C asks you to use the Wrist equipment to tone your wrists.)
4. Gymming is based on self-motivation. If you are not already motivated - do not expect the Gym to motivate you.
5. You meet long lost friends, acquaintances, whom you knew when you were 3 sizes smaller and invariably ppl look at you and ask "What happened? U were so fit."

Six-Packs n Size Zero - The Nation's latest Obsession

Off-late, I am hearing a lot 'bout six-pack abs. Everytime I change the channel on our TV set, I see a guy on TV sporting a six-pack for an ad on perfumes, inner wear, and what not. I remember a time when women would be used as a - for lack of a better word - prop - to sell cars, or engine oil or other stuff.. Is this like payback time? We are using the male as a prop?

When did this change happen - Did it start with the Badshah khan n his six-packs for Om Shanthi Om? Or was it when Aamir Khan sported the same for Ghajini? Or was it a loong time ago when Salman Khan removed his shirt for the first time in "Oh oh Jaane Jaana" for Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya ... or was it a lot earlier.... I don't really know.

All I know is that I was watching the movie Tarzan I, the other day and I felt that Tarzan resembled Hrithik, six packs n all. A week or so ago, while driving towards Tumkur, I spotted a huge Hanuman Statue and guess wht - Hanuman had six-packs! I also recall seeing the Bahubali monolith on my way to Mangalore - Yupp - Six Packs!! That got me thinking...

As a younster, I recall getting very perturbed seeing the statues of godesses, and princesses with their slim waists, impossibly curvaceous figures and wondering if I would ever look like that and not really sure if I wanted to. Is this like a payback for all that? I felt the waif-like models, size-zero actresses, and curvaceous godesses statues made most young gals and women feel inadequate and confused for most part of the adolescent phase of their lives. Considering most of the young women were blessed with very sensible moms, they did not obsess over such trifles for too loong. Thank the good lord! They left the trifles be handled by the women in the glamour industry.

Can we say the same thing 'bout the men? Well, we have had generations of practise and so it will be a while before paunchy Paresh stops dreaming of becoming Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Kozhi-kaal Vijay realizes he is not Milind Soman. Till then, Gyms will flourish as guys take on the Six-Pack challenge. Jai Ho!! ;P

Fitness and Me - Past and Present

This is one of those crazy posts where I discuss fitness and the sometimes Wah Wah! and most times Blaaah relationship that I have with it. Jes like how work does not seem like work when you are enjoying it or having fun - I feel fitness does not feel like work when you are having fun. Having said that, it takes a while for a person to identify their "Zen option for Fitness" - the first option you try out may not be the best or even the right one for you.

I have tried out quite a few fitness options that worked for me such as: Yoga, Odissi, Dance Aerobics, and Gymming. Of course, my issue with fitness is entirely different. Consistency is the only way by which you can have a fantastic relationship with fitness. Of course, inconsistency is my middle name. I could say that I prefer variety - but that would not be true :P

I opted for Yoga because there was a Yogashaala, next door. Also, everyone at home swore by Yoga. Initially, I struggled to conform to the new regime. Before I knew it, I was a regular - lost a lot of weight - regained the figure I wanted - and my confidence soared. Before long, I forgot that Yoga was keeping me fit and dropped out of class - did not continue Yoga at home - and generally went back to lazy ole days.

When enlightenment dawned, yet again - I enrolled for Odissi classes alongwith my cousin - it seemed like an interesting option to combat after office boredom and would probably help me shed some weight as well. After a few months, the teacher moved to Dubai. Instead of waiting for a new teacher - I decided to join Figurine Fitness for Aerobics.

To be honest, Dance Aerobics taught at Figurine Fitness was/is my favorite way to get fit. I lost a lot of weight - most frends, who knew me frm the fat n flab days - were totally zapped at seeing me looking so fab and fit - I was thrilled at receiving praises - I cud fit into my Jeans - I purchased new ones - I was into only wearing Jeans - and then I go back to good ole lazy days yet again.

As confessed already, I am totally inconsistent. Over the last 4 years - I went back to Yoga - dropped out - went back to Aerobics - dropped out - joined the Gym - (I totally hated the monotony of a Gym. Nothing prepared me for the blaaah mode of the Gym.) - lost interest. I went arnd trying the same fitness options but remained inconsistent.

Currently, I am trying my very best to like the Gym (Fingers crossed). Yup - I have now gone back to that fitness option. Also, I am trying very hard to be consistent (Fingers crossed). Will update you on the latest happenings on tht front when there is something to report - if I am back to inconsistent - well... I hope not :D