| The TV is a low hum in the background, just | | | | and warning you if you're doing something |
| loud enough to wake you up. A glance at the | | | | wrong, they'll also scare you into doing just |
| clock shows that you have four more hours of | | | | five more minutes of your regime. Unless |
| well earned sleep--ye gods, Woe betide the | | | | you're already in shape, in which case... |
| thing that arrested you from your slumber! | | | | grr. I and the rest of the overweight world |
| You can't remember leaving the TV on, but you | | | | dislike you intensely. Don't let that keep |
| don't recall turning it off, specifically, so | | | | you from a healthy regime, though. |
| you can't blame anyone. A homely but | | | | |
| muscle-bound figure is squirming back and | | | | Still, if you're determined to use one of |
| forth in some metallic demon they're calling | | | | those gargantuan exercise machines, it's a |
| an exercise machine while a voice over | | | | better idea to go to a gym that sports that |
| proclaims that thirty minutes a day in their | | | | sort of gear. Then you can get a feel for |
| contraption is all you need to stay fit and | | | | what sort of workout suits you best, and |
| lean. Your eyes wander askance to your belly, | | | | you'll also have access to the gym-nutters |
| and for a moment, however brief, that 1-866 | | | | floating around, who'll offer up their |
| number flashing across the bottom of the | | | | opinions on everything from the optimum |
| screen seems attractive. | | | | weight load for someone in your "size |
| | | | bracket" to the best workout to help thin |
| But how do you really know that this exercise | | | | down your problem areas. |
| equipment is going to do you any good? Sure, | | | | |
| the gear looks nifty, but what elevates it | | | | They key to losing weight, however, doesn't |
| above regular working out? The grim truth? | | | | actually lie in exercise equipment. It lies |
| Not much. Those testimonials aren't lying, | | | | in keeping your body active during the entire |
| usually. The exercise equipment works, and in | | | | allotment of time for your workout. Five |
| the case of well established brands (like | | | | minute breaks kill a workout. Thirty second |
| Bowflex), it even works well. But the first, | | | | breaks to quaff a bottle of water are fine. |
| prime ingredient to getting in shape is | | | | So when you finish your arm curls, move |
| motivation. For a lot of people, seeing a | | | | immediately into your squat-thrusts, or |
| giant piece of exercise equipment two feet | | | | whatever else you have planned, instead of |
| from the bed is all it really takes. For the | | | | loafing around for a few minutes to get your |
| rest of us... well... | | | | wind back. |
| | | | |
| As exercise equipment goes, those giant | | | | Otherwise, your body just won't get the idea. |
| machines aren't always the best choice. | | | | And the next time you wake up to one of those |
| Sometimes, all you really need are some free | | | | horrible exercise equipment commercials, |
| weights and a good thick, firm mat to jump | | | | you'll still be tempted to call that flashing |
| around on. Mirrors help too. Aside from | | | | yellow phone number. |
| letting you check yourself for good posture | | | | |