Tag: big ideas

Flat abs, flat panel

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I mentioned in an earlier post that while shopping with jen_ashlock and Jason for a flat panel TV, I was overcome with the sudden urge to buy one myself. Well, Jen and Jason got theirs and now I have to get mine. I was looking at 32″ flat panel models, which were about as big as I need, plus they were all I was willing to fish out money for. (Sale prices ranged from $1,100 – $1,500 depending on the brand and the model.)

Now, a couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how I thought I needed a personal trainer to get myself into shape. Ten weeks of personal training would probably run me somewhere between $1,100 – $1,500 depending on the frequency and experience of the trainer.

It is, therefore, easy to see that the cost of the TV and the cost of the trainer are about the same. It would be silly for me to do both right now. Logic dictates that buying a new TV would be the worst decision to make, seeing as how it would only mean I would sit around even more than I do now, in order to watch Yankee games in High Definition. I would, in fact, move further into the out-of-shape darkness.

I think I have a solution, however.

I am going to move forward with the personal trainer. I plan to use the trainer for 10 weeks, in order to see results and also to build up the habits and knowledge I need to continue on my own. If, at the end of those 10 weeks, I am happy with the results. I will reward myself with the purchase of a flat panel TV. At least then, I should have the habits built up to the point where I will no longer sit around all day watching the new TV. Plus, in 10 weeks, I can afford the TV by actually spending some of the money I got for my raise, rather than adding it all to retirement, like I usually do.

So there you go. Assuming I get started with the training by August 1, I should have a new TV sometime around Halloween.

If anyone out there has recommendations on what kind of HD flat panel I should get, I’d be interested in hearing them. But please don’t recommend anything bigger than 32 inches because (a) I’m not interested in something that big, and (b) I won’t spend the money for it.

Personal trainer?

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I am in close to the worst shape (if not the worst) that I can ever remember being in. It has nothing to do with weight, although I have been hovering around my peak weight of 151 pounds for a while now. I have low energy. I have little flex or real strength. And when I do cardio exercise, it is always a strain for me.

Part of it has to do with a lack of a regular program. Part of it is nutrition. And part of it is that I have no idea what I am doing.

So I have been thinking lately about getting a personal trainer. I’ve been reading up on it online, looking for pros and cons. There are two very good gyms near my work that I could work out of, and next week, I’m thinking about interviewing some personal trainers to see if there are any potential matches.

My goals are as follows:

1. Increase flexibility
2. Increase strength
3. Increase endurance (cardio)

In other, words, get myself into shape. But I have one more goal, which is perhaps more important than those three put together.

4. Learn how to exercise properly and build a program that I can keep up with.

If I do get a personal trainer to help with this, I don’t plan on keeping them forever. I’ve read online that some PT’s will “guilt” you into keeping them. I won’t stand for that. When I interview, I will be very up front. I want to see or feel results within 6 weeks, and I will continue with a trainer for as long as 10 weeks. But during that time, the trainer should be teaching me how to continue my program on my own. Beyond 10 weeks, I don’t plan on keeping the trainer. And I have some pretty high standards for the trainer to meet. So who knows if this will even work out.

Stay tuned.