Why I now like exercising

The $7 work-out videos at Walmart. They've changed my life.

My sister Beckah recently wrote a blog about why she doesn't like to exercise, so I thought I'd write a response. Here's why at-home work-out videos are superior to any other work out regimen:

1. You can avoid the atmosphere of the gym. The gym is a place where weird people go to find dates. It's a place where you're embarrassed, because there are only so many people you can be sweaty in front of. Plus, if you're just beginning the whole work out thing, you don't have to deal with the judgmental sneers from those who can bench press YOU in addition to what you're bench pressing.

2. You don't have to leave your home. No need to change into work out clothes, pack a bag, get in the car and drive all the way out to wherever. You can wear whatever you want, and you don't have to schedule the trip.

3. No gym membership. Which means more money for other things like books and music and Taco Bell. I guess you do have to pay for the work out video, but still.

4. You can set your own pace. (AKA you can cheat and no one will be the wiser. I mean, if you want to pursue your fitness goal, you shouldn't cheat. But some days, you just don't have it in ya, and the other fitness class members won't judge you if you cut corners.)

5. There's someone cheerfully encouraging you. It's the CHEESIEST thing in the world, but I for one am a fan of being repeatedly told "You can do it!" "Looking good!" "This will give you the rockin' body you deserve!"

6. You can't beat the canned midi loops that you're sweatin' to.

7. You also can't beat the awkwardly smiling fitness girls in the background. I always wonder how they find those. Are they models? Dancers? Is it the kind of thing one's agent would book for you? I like to imagine that they just send someone to wander the gyms of LA, and when they find someone with white enough teeth, they ask them to be a background work out girl.

Anyway, that's my advice. Invest in some at-home work out videos.

Then again, this is coming from the girl who ate 1/3rd of a package of bacon by herself today, so I might not be the best person to give health advice.