Mike’s Daily Rant 11/1/2012 Topic: Trick Or Treat

So it’s been proven that people get better results in regards to weight loss when you participate in groups. It’s also been proven that Halloween is a tricky holiday and people treat themselves to more candy sweets than they should.

I don’t really celebrate Halloween anymore but I do recognize it as a holiday. Although I recognize it as a holiday, I somehow forgot that it was yesterday. The way that I was reminded was when I got to the gym and the staff members were dressed up. The staff members also had a bowl of candy at the check-in counter. I didn’t take any but I appreciate the offer. I guess they figure if you are getting ready to work-out you might as well have a piece of candy. I walk to locker room and change and come back out to sign up for Spin Class. I walk up to the counter because this is usually the time that the list comes out for you to sign up. I wait for a second and then the staff member at counter asks if she can help me? I say yes I want to sign up for spin class. She says oh I’m sorry it’s cancelled for the holiday. I think to myself for Halloween but the gym is opened? I say “Thank You” and walk away.

I’m puzzled as to why they would cancel a group fitness class on Halloween but have them on Major Holidays such as Thanksgiving and Super Bowl Sunday. This makes little sense to me but I’m here now so I will find something to do. I run 3 miles and still feel that there is much more work to be done. Next I work on legs. I do squats, leg press and squat jerks. I then do a few back exercises before a thought comes to mind. I walk into the empty spin room and decide that I will do my own spin workout. I connected my Iphone up to the speaker system and pressed play on my workout playlist. Then I go to work!

People start passing by waving and looking as if they want to come in. I tell them to come in with a hand gesture and they come in and saddle up. Before you know it, 20 people that are regulars in my class have joined me and I am instructing the class. After an hour we all laugh and realize that we had worked that hard without Clarisse being present to tell us what to do. I have led her class before but she was there. This time it started with me doing it for myself and just so happened to recruit a few followers. This was all possible because they saw me doing it alone and came to motivate and support me. In the end we still benefit as a group. I will never forget yesterday because it was such a proud moment. I can’t wait to see Clarisse during today’s class and tell her what happened.

Now I know not to be so disappointed when class is cancelled. I will go in and spin anyway.
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Replies

  • KrazyAsianNic
    KrazyAsianNic Posts: 1,227 Member
    As I get older, I really don't get the point of Halloween, especially when I live in an apartment and no one comes to your door.

    I give you props for going to the gym and doing your own thing!
  • silver_arrow3
    silver_arrow3 Posts: 1,373 Member
    I understand why some people can't make it to classes on Halloween - they're getting ready to take their little ones out. But I don't think that cancelling a class is really necessary. Why prevent those who can make it from doing their workouts?

    But good for you - I'm glad you had such a shining moment yesterday! :)
  • That's great that you managed to motivate so many :)

    Halloween isn't big in Australia though I did take my youngest to a Halloween party..... I have always took the veiw that we teach our children NOT to take candy (or lollies as we call them) from strangers so why would I take them to ask for it from strangers and people they barely know? That said , we do still have a big bowl of candy so not to disapoint the kids who do knock on our door.
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    Hah! Now this was a cute rant. :)

    All people need is a leader sometimes - someone to get the ball rolling.
  • As I get older, I really don't get the point of Halloween, especially when I live in an apartment and no one comes to your door.

    I give you props for going to the gym and doing your own thing!

    Thanks.
  • vtmoon
    vtmoon Posts: 3,436 Member
    You just started a revolt against Clarisse... it's started by one person question the establishment, and then people follow and then the Queen is dethroned and a new King will rise!

    I for one do not tolerate such shenanigans and self motivation in the GYM kingdom, I hope she responds brutally and swiftly for questioning her wants to par-take in the enjoyment of the sweets offered by the Halloween gods.
  • I understand why some people can't make it to classes on Halloween - they're getting ready to take their little ones out. But I don't think that cancelling a class is really necessary. Why prevent those who can make it from doing their workouts?

    But good for you - I'm glad you had such a shining moment yesterday! :)

    I know the real instructor has a kid so maybe thats the reason but either way. It was a bit confusing.

    Thanks.
  • That's great that you managed to motivate so many :)

    Halloween isn't big in Australia though I did take my youngest to a Halloween party..... I have always took the veiw that we teach our children NOT to take candy (or lollies as we call them) from strangers so why would I take them to ask for it from strangers and people they barely know? That said , we do still have a big bowl of candy so not to disapoint the kids who do knock on our door.

    Excellent Point. Thats why my mother took us.
  • that is AWESOME kid!! i miss myf reakin' spin classes due to having to start working FT again :(
  • Hah! Now this was a cute rant. :)

    All people need is a leader sometimes - someone to get the ball rolling.

    Thank You. Im glad the ball rolled in my court. I picked it up and ran with it. :-)
  • You just started a revolt against Clarisse... it's started by one person question the establishment, and then people follow and then the Queen is dethroned and a new King will rise!

    I for one do not tolerate such shenanigans and self motivation in the GYM kingdom, I hope she responds brutally and swiftly for questioning her wants to par-take in the enjoyment of the sweets offered by the Halloween gods.

    LOL. We love her. No one is dethroning her.
  • BattyMac87
    BattyMac87 Posts: 24 Member
    I love your posts!!! They make me smile...you describe situations so well!!! :-)
  • that is AWESOME kid!! i miss myf reakin' spin classes due to having to start working FT again :(

    Im sorry. Maybe weekends?
  • I love your posts!!! They make me smile...you describe situations so well!!! :-)

    Thank You! Im glad you enjoy them.
  • MelisMusing
    MelisMusing Posts: 421 Member
    GREAT outcome! I am sure your fellow spinners appreciated your initiative! We have a new spin room at the gym I go to...I have to admit, I'm a little intimidated- I've never taken a spin class before.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    That was an awesome way to react to the situation - you got to enjoy your workout, and other people did too!
  • FluffyNoMore26
    FluffyNoMore26 Posts: 92 Member
    To have your confidence one day is a goal of mine!! Awesome job leading that class thanks for sharing another amazing story with us!
  • GREAT outcome! I am sure your fellow spinners appreciated your initiative! We have a new spin room at the gym I go to...I have to admit, I'm a little intimidated- I've never taken a spin class before.

    I say go do it. You will love it.!
  • To have your confidence one day is a goal of mine!! Awesome job leading that class thanks for sharing another amazing story with us!

    Thanks. Anthing is possible with the desire. Just make it fun and it can be done. Dang I am going to make that my slogan!! My pleasure sharing with you.
  • Apeck87
    Apeck87 Posts: 68 Member
    that shows great leadership and initiative. Great job!! ;0)
  • AEB_WV
    AEB_WV Posts: 323 Member
    Maybe the instructor has kids or something...every class was cancelled at our gym yesterday because of weather here. But the usual reason is sick kids, no sitter, etc.
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    Good for you, I think. Tried spin class, don't understand the appeal. I do like to ride my bike, though.
  • Way to take control of the situation and not only help yourself but help others as well. From what I have gleamed your instructor is great and it would be no surprise to know that she will be very proud of you for your determination to keep going and also to inspire and encourage others to keep going as well. Awesome job!!!
  • that shows great leadership and initiative. Great job!! ;0)

    Thank You. Im glad I was able to do it.
  • Good for you, I think. Tried spin class, don't understand the appeal. I do like to ride my bike, though.

    The class that I go to has a very intense element. It is choreography and fun music to go with it. Its almost like dancing because of the way that its instructed. At least the 2 gyms that are by my house. The others around town is just cycling.
  • Maybe the instructor has kids or something...every class was cancelled at our gym yesterday because of weather here. But the usual reason is sick kids, no sitter, etc.

    She does. But we have babysitting in the gym free to her. Her daughter loves the kids cove area. She is like 8 but loves playing with the smaller kids.
  • Way to take control of the situation and not only help yourself but help others as well. From what I have gleamed your instructor is great and it would be no surprise to know that she will be very proud of you for your determination to keep going and also to inspire and encourage others to keep going as well. Awesome job!!!

    Thank You for those kind words.
  • jaded_rose
    jaded_rose Posts: 298 Member
    I like Halloween and do like to dress up but I don't think t hat's a reason to cancel a spin class for. unless most of the people there had kids and was going to take them trick or treating.
  • coolraul07
    coolraul07 Posts: 1,606 Member
    You just started a revolt against Clarisse... it's started by one person question the establishment, and then people follow and then the Queen is dethroned and a new King will rise!

    I for one do not tolerate such shenanigans and self motivation in the GYM kingdom, I hope she responds brutally and swiftly for questioning her wants to par-take in the enjoyment of the sweets offered by the Halloween gods.

    *this* ROFL :laugh:
  • jenbit
    jenbit Posts: 4,252 Member
    This made me giggle.

    I walked with 2 children carrying a pillow case full of candy for 2 hours so I think I got some kind f workout in. What killed me were all the people driving house to house last night. It was gorgouis outside in south florida last night. My daughter started yelling to the kids hat they were cheating lol. I mean I can understand driving if you live in farm country where there is a big distance between houses but that wasnt the case. I remember my dad was always obease but he walked all 4 of us around for hours on halloween and about 75% of the families I saw were driving house to house. Atleast if your gonna eat the candy walk some of it off first