I truly prefer to work out outside. I simply don’t trust myself to do what I say I’m doing when I do something inside. Yes, I might spin or row for an hour . . . but did I really push myself? Just what did I manage to accomplish? The answer is that i don’t know – when I’m outside, I know I managed to go so far. It may be a good workout, it may not be, but I know I went so many miles in such an amount of time, and this compares, directly, to previous workouts. It’s easy to map progress.
Inside? Not so much.
As somebody who was born in the technological age, though, I’m someone who needs near constant entertainment. When I’m outside I, obviously, can’t be watching anything, so it’s been audiobooks – lately, I’ve been in a bit of a “young adult” kick…the entire Harry Potter saga (for the umpteenth time), the Hunger Games, and now the Artemis Fowl saga for a second time. Soon enough, if my kids are anything like me, I physically won’t be able to read enough to satisfy their desire to be read to…so audiobooks it will be.
Audiobooks are good because they keep my mind engaged. I can absolutely lose myself in music, and then you have no idea where the heck you’ve gone to. For an actual event, music is the way to go (assuming they allow music on the course), just because it’s quite rude to ignore somebody that strikes up conversation…”wait, hold on, Wormtail just killed Cederic” is not a best first line when making new friends.
Working out inside, though, brings a whole new level of distraction. It used to be that, during the height of football season, I’d pedal on a stationary bike while playing Madden…but, well, daddyhood has gotten in the way there. If I actually manage to watch football, it’s the actual game, and not a video game. So, I watch movies. And I’m attracted to B-Horror films like flies are attracted to those electronic bug zappers. I know they’re bad for me, but I can’t help myself. I swear, between April Fool’s Day & Sleepaway Camp, I could entertain myself for days. Anyway, I just went through a string of three impressive movies (even if they’re impressive in the amount that they’re depraved):
- Human Centipede (the First Sequence)
- Machete
- The Last Exorcism
I should be watching things that engage my mind, make me think…but, no, I’d rather see people get chopped into little bits and horrible makeup.
The winter is actually really great for this little obsession of mine. There is no shortage of truly horrible Christmas-related horror films…and considering my body’s fighting of the change in temperature as you go from “chilly” to “freezing,” I end up spending a lot of time in late December indoors (especially if we get early snows).
Anyway, just thought I’d share here . . . I have a more-fun post set for tomorrow 🙂
