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Health & Fitness

Blog: A Spin Memo

Sometimes it just takes the right spin to get folks motivated.

You say “Don’t quit?” I say “Just do it!!!” So I’ve been doing spin classes since the dawn of the first Cheney administration. I started riding bicycles inside a roomful of mirrors on a road to nowhere because “Who wants to get hit by a bus?” If you have to ride a bike, burn calories, and look for your first endorphin, why not ride indoors where it’s safe?

Sure, I realize we all justify the emotional choices we make with logic. And what’s wrong with exercising amongst mostly ladies (as opposed to guys who shave their legs and wear Lycra) when taking a spin is good for your knees, builds cardio fitness, and even boosts your oral health big-time (Hey! I’m a dentist)?

Spin class instructors all have their own style and for the most part, they’re great; have to admire their conditioning, enthusiasm, and the way they’re always smiling…even when we’re all cycling to Techno (a recent ADA survey found 80% of spin instructors use floss twice per day; the other 20% like Techno.)

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But yeah, there’s always the exception and at my gym we actually have one guy who rolls his eyes back while standing on the pedals and delivering motivational sermons ala Reverend Ike/Tony Robbins…at 7 freakin 30 AM. So just when I thought I’d erased the D-school memory of my nemesis Doc Ricky (wrath of) Kahn, here comes his evil twin…ridin’ in on a stationary shiny Schwinn pulpit.

And I hate being picky but lately I’ve noticed a change in the spinning motivational air. Right in the middle of class, instructors are urging “Don’t quit!”

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Huh?

Shucks, I wasn’t even thinkin’ about quitting until you brought it up but now that you mention it, I’m visualizing me, a beach, a cold frosty beverage, and women’s volleyball. Quitting is actually looking pretty damn good.

It’s probably just me but I’ve always had this thing about NOT telling folks what NOT to do. I think it all started with ex-Trojan quarterback Mark Sanchez and some stellar coaches training him NOT to throw interceptions (wonder how that one turned out?)

And just what happened when your mom coached NOT spitting in Little League or NOT staying out late or NOT drinking beer in college? So my dad said it was okay to spit as long as I was playing second base and I swear if there wasn’t a draft back in The Day…I coulda been one wild and crazy guy.

Anyway, I’m just sayin’ why not  use a positive “spin” and roll out “finish strong!” or “Just do it!” or even the old standard “Yes, you can!”? I’d even be good with “Remember the Alamo” or “Four more years!” or “Six more months!” Just don’t try firing me up by telling me what NOT to do; almost didn’t work for my mom and she provided food, clothing, a roof and my birth as part of the deal.

Wheew…think I’m ready for some serious recovery time before my next sprint, climb, or jump.

This has been a public service announcement for sensitive/competitive DDS-types like me who won’t stand, brush, floss, or cycle for hearin’ motivational stuff and words like : quit” or “stop”…unless we’re talkin’ Techno or bruin football.
So instead of “Don’t quit going to the dentist!” I give you “Keep flossing and keep those dental appointments! Just do it! Research shows you might actually live longer.”

And…keep pedalin’.

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