Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

How many of you fellow Brits keep up with a regular exercise routine?

I always hated sports at school (too petite and couldn't keep up!). I've always been pretty reluctant at going to the gym and running on the treadmill, using the rowing equipment and lifting weights etc. I preferred to go to aerobics two or three times a week (have done this on and off for about 8 or 9 years) but after a few months I get bored with doing similar routines. However, I've discovered that I really love going to aqua-aerobics - in the swimming pool....I've been going since last September on average thrice weekly. It's great for me as I hate getting sticky and sweaty, and as soon as you get out of the pool you have a hot shower and go.

My husband has had a complete lifestyle change since he decided to go on a diet almost two years ago. I'd been away for a month in India and when he met me at the airport I saw immediately that he'd lost some weight. He told me that the day I left, he joined a gym and went on a diet (he was grossly overweight and snored badly at night). In six months he'd lost 100lbs! He's kept it off but spends most of his free time either at the gym or going running....he's done a couple of half-marathons this year and hoping to win a place in the New York marathon in November.

Now I know that he's *really* obsessed with running and keeping fit...he often runs with a hashing group on Saturday afternoons (a hash is like a mystery hare and hound chase with lots of false trails through the woods and fields). He's been away at head office in London for a few weeks (flew home to NJ last Friday night so at least was home last weekend) and on Monday morning flew off to Bangkok via London. He left Bangkok on Friday night (Friday morning Eastern time) and I picked him up at Newark just before noon today.

He's gone to the bloody hash...... :rolleyes: :o

http://www.hashnj.com (wonder if he'll be skinny dipping...don't think he noticed the theme for today LOL! It's cold and wet here today....) :D

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

I'm a lazy crunt, especially now that the ******* gym's closed, so much for that being a benefit from work....but when it was open, I went 3 + times a week, did go 5 times a week until the petrol went up a tonne over here.

Did a bit of cardio, not all that much, rowing, cycling, couldn't stand the tread mill, and do some weights, and in the summer played tennis with a mate.

Did a bit of hiking as well, but now the place is closed, don't do bugger all, will probably start going hiking, but more of an effort, as use to do the trails around the gym mostly.

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

Yep, but only during the summer (March - Novemver :D )

I tend to cycle to the library and swim every day (25 x 12m), and walk the dog. Plus tennis when I feel like it.

In winter I tend to hybernate, apart from the occasional skiing trip to Sierras...

Spring is kind of weird this year - normally we'd have been swimming for a month by now, but when I dipped in my toe the other day I dipped it out again pretty quick :(

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

I go to Curves 5 days a week.It's right behind my house so I have no excuse.

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

I run 5 miles a day...in training for the forest gump sequel...

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

I've really got into cycling in the past 8 years (after me gimpy knees stopped me running). Do 30-100 miles each time I go out. Cycling is a brilliant form of exercise if the roads are good - no impact on the joints, plus you can go a lot further and longer than running or walking so it's perfect for people who want to lose weight or just see a lot more of the world than walking/running. Of course the downside is that in rural NC men in Lycra get funny looks a lot of the time. Mind you, I've caught a few chickies checking out me gams at the traffic lights now and again so it's not all bad. :D

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I run after my 5 and 2 year old. Does that count? :D Seriously, I usually walk around the neighbourhood or to the beach with the kids (about 20 minutes away) or we go swimming. I'm trying to bring them up so they know how to use their legs!! Not easy in America!

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Cycling...hmmm...use to do some serious MTB'ing, around austria and northern italy...would cycle 50-250km to get to the mountains and then trudge up and down them...hmmm....use to be pretty fit, probably would kill me if I tried that now *lol*

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Used to play 5-a-side every week in the UK through work. Don't do anything here. At both places I've worked over here they don't mix outside of the workplace (don't mix too much inside work either, but it was more friendly in the South).

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Use to play a lot of footie back in blighty too with mates in the park...no decent parks around here, so ain't easy to find anyone to play...there all about playing proper league games at school and that's it...big shame...

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isn't it just! My lads were into playing football but gave it up very quickly after moving here. It's all 'training' and 'matches' - no time to have fun and just kick a ball around :(

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can I ask, is it any good, I was thinking of joining Curves, can't be doing with all the hot bodies at LA fitness and places like that..

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

I did Curves for about 8 months and quite enjoyed it but it got boring after a while just doing the same thing. I didn't really lose any weight but did tone up and felt fitter.

Every now and then I buy a new fitness DVD and do that for a few months before getting bored. I am currently doing the Extreme Fitness workout which I am slowly getting bored with so I'll have to search for another one.

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major shame that, fitness routines, gym, training in the summer holidays and stuff...sod that....what's wrong with just letting them have a laugh...it's such a shame that you don't see people having a knock around in the park, back in blighty, be a few parks where you'd be guaranteed to find people having a knock around that you could join in for a laugh, but it doesn't happen here, it all has to be organised, teams, goals and kit, can't be messing around with a couple shirts on the ground and two on two v keeper etc...oh well...maybe i'm just getting old and grumbly *lol*

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Hip problems have kept me from walking. I firmly believe you need to do stretching exercises each day 5/10mins and walk for 30/40mins at 4mph 3 times a week, weather conditions prevailing.
:)

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I know what you mean, but at leas t here they teach kids how to be competitive, at my daughters Junior school back in the UK, sports day was a joke, no competitive sports activities were allowed at all as they didn't want again of the kids to feel bad about losing. So much for teaching them future life skills..

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You, Bob? Surely not! :D

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

DON'T DO IT GIRL!!! I went to see our local curves and was the youngest by about 30 years. The girl showed me around and they make you run on the spot - they don't have walking machines - to 'high energy' music. When I went they were playing Chas and Dave's 'Rabbit' (true!)
The girl said what a great place it was and how effective it was so when I asked her 'So why is everyone here so fat then?' I don't think she took kindly to me. She kind of went a bit cold after that.
To be fair, it was my one and only visit to a Curves but on that visit, I would never return. :D

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

Just remember that (unless you die young) you'll be 30 years older one day...

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Yeah, then I'll join Curves ;)

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

Good girl! :D :)

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PMSL :D , Chas and Dave, omg :scared:
I recall going to aereobics a few years ago and being greeted by all these middle age women that announced they'd been going for years, same thing, still all fat bastards..

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

why??

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because they're there? :D

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running 5 miles?
jesus.


that's what taxi's are for.

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I went to aqua aerobics once to be greeted by all the old ladies smiling and saying hello and then one said 'Ooh look, snap' and I realised she was wearing the same swimming costume as me. :scared:

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

Well I enjoy it.You work at your own pace.The one I go to has that satellite radio and i have never heard Chas and Dave :scared: There is always a wide spectrum of ages.
They weigh and measure you every month .you don't have to if you don't want .
you can go in and have a look around .I pay $29 a month .I work out for about 40minutes a day and do enjoy the company .

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

nice.

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OMG :D :D

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That's the problem with needing underwire swimming cozzie and buying it from Marks and Spencer!

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easier said then done I know, but yeah, that's not bad, though if you have a gimpy hip, probably better to do it in a swimming pool, less impact on the joints...it's weird how malls open early here so people can walk, but makes sense as there heated in winter and a/c in summer and less likely to fall over in snow etc...

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Yes, it's a strange phenomenon isn't it? I didn't even know that our local mall opened up extra early in the morning so people could do some sort of walking fitness regime - until it was announced in our local paper that it had been suspended because the mall could be considered a terrorist threat and the police and fire brigade have had emergency drills there in case of bomb threats and the like. wtf?

On the other hand, another mall about 5 miles away has a pre-shop opening hours fitness regime for mothers and young babies. They go 'power strolling' around the mall (and their babies are used as 'weights' when they're doing arm strengthening exercises) :D

(It's interesting to read about Curves. There is a branch in our vicinity but I've never seen anyone go in or out of it....I always thought it was another version of Weightwatchers and they didn't do such things as exercising. Then again, I haven't a clue what they do at Weightwatchers either. The sketches on "Little Britain" are funny - but the character is too much like Pauline from the JobCentre in "The League of Gentlemen").

Have to agree Bob about the locals not playing footie in the park...around here they all get a baseball bat and play softball instead. I'm annoyed that we will have to be hanging around at home for the last three weeks of August before the school year begins as my son wants to try out to be a goalie for the football (soccer) team...they have to turn up for compulsory training of approx 2 hours each morning. It really pisses me off to be honest. He's been on the team for the last couple of years, but the season is over by mid-October....such a shame that they only play for about six-seven weeks a year (and then there is the formal dinner and speeches at the end of the season.... :rolleyes: ).

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:rolleyes: quite - my lads no longer play because they just got fed up with all the hard 'conditioning' training and all-out competitiveness (and no tackling allowed :scared: )

:(

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I manage to stay quite fit here because I don't like a lot of the food so I am very fussy about eating. I have a pool so I swim a lot more. I walk and have a stepper and an exercise bike in the house.

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I have gone all to pot since moving to the U/S Orio cookies are the best thing since sliced bread :) :beer: But i am trying now :eek:

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I run with the Austin and Houston Hash House Harriers regularly. Damn good exercise, and I wouldn't run much otherwise, although the beer consumption afterward usually counteracts any useful effect of the running.

BTW I met my wife hashing (in Europe) and that's partly why I now live in the US!

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

Have never set foot in a gym since I left school, BMI 21 regards ;)

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

you probaly have a serious illness you're not aware of :D

I balloned to 15.5 stone three years ago from travelling on business 40 weeks a year and getting pissed every night. Decided to do something about it and started running - first time I went out I managed 2 mins before a near death experience - stuck at it and got up to two hours per session - did weight watchers as well and got down to 11 stone 10 (too thin I'm 6 foot) Came to to the US and have put on about 2 stone ! am running again now though before it gets too hot. I can still run 7 miles in an hour which is not bad considering how little exercise I have done in the last 10 months.. I have say a couple of weeks back in to it (3/4 times a week) and I sleep better and feel fantastic - stopped smoking (again) today after a 3 week slip so Im really testing myself :scared:

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Yeah right, when I first visited the Doc's here, they were amazed I'd never had my cholesterol checked, and they were further amazed when the LDL/HDL came back at 0.7, don't think they'd seen one so low.

Re: Do you 'keep fit' in the US?
 

:confused: - what business are you in?!!??? :scared: