Fitness Rant

When I see images of cyclists riding in past Tours de France, they look odd to me. I recognize the riders, but they aren't wearing helmets. But over the course of the last decade, helmets became mandatory in the most prestigious bike race in the world.

Wearing a helmet is the simplest safety precaution you can take to protect your most important body part: your brain. Even though most casual cyclists are not barreling down hills and mountainsides at the speed of professional racers, wearing a helmet is a no brainer! Yet more than half the riders I see on the street are not wearing helmets. I just don't get it. I know helmets are not the most stylish of biking accessories, but is there really anything flattering about cycling gear? If messed up hair is keeping riders from wearing helmets, I would respond that a serious head injury is considerably worse than a bad hair day. We spend so much time taking care of our bodies and feeding our brains with knowledge, we really should protect our brains when biking.

Some helmetless riders argue that they're skilled cyclists so they don't need a helmet since they're not going to fall. Think of the helmet like the seat belt; it's there to protect you from crazy drivers or large potholes or, in the case of Matt Lauer of the Today Show, a deer. Without a helmet, Lauer would have suffered injuries far greater than a separated shoulder. Same goes for Lance Armstrong's collar bone-breaking crash a couple of months ago. Without a helmet his fate might have been much worse. If you're cruising around town or barreling down a dirt path on your mountain bike, wear a helmet. Please!

A few times a month, I run with a running group near me. For the most part, everyone is really supportive and there just to meet fellow fit people, learn some tips, and get in a good run. Recently though I overheard some runners badmouthing walkers. As they jogged passed them, one of the runners smirked under their breath, "Walking is for people who don't have the guts to run," and their two pals giggled. I was shocked. What gives that guy the right to pass judgment on someone else? It's like speedism — discriminating against someone because of how fast they move. It really made me angry since I feel all active people should encourage each other. All exercise should be applauded, and I wanted to breeze right by them and yell, "If you're too busy worrying about what other people are doing, then you're obviously not working hard enough yourself!" But I didn't want to perpetuate that kind of negativity. Tell me, have you ever experienced runners who pooh-pooh walkers?

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I don't have to tell you that economically speaking, times are tough. Many stores and companies are actually cutting prices to help lure customers to their businesses, but not my gym. Oh no. They've actually raised membership prices by $10 a month! That's no small amount, especially because my hubby belongs too, so that adds an extra $240 a year. It really bothers me that they can take advantage of people who feel so strongly about their health, since they know most gym goers won't end their memberships — they'll just suck it up and pay. Since my gym does offer unique fitness opportunities I can't get at other less expensive gyms, such as state-of-the-art cardio equipment, group classes, and of course, the pool, I guess I'll have to be one of those people who agrees to shell out the big bucks. It doesn't mean I won't complain about it though. What about you? Have your gym membership prices increased recently too?

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I don't know too many people who enjoy trying on clothes in dressing rooms. Not only is it annoying that sizing varies so much from store to store, but the ginormous mirror and bright lights are utterly unforgiving. You can end up spending more time criticizing your imperfections than checking out the clothes! Store designers must know the emotional pain we endure in those tiny rooms, and that's why they designed skinny mirrors.

You know the ones I'm talking about, where you try on that skintight pair of jeans and your booty never looked so good. You think, "Wow, those squats are really working." Then when you get home and try them on again, they just don't look the same. Somehow your tiny bum has expanded in the 20 minutes it took to drive home.

I'm sure stores think we owe them a huge thank you for making our dressing room experiences more pleasant, but ultimately it's a huge disappointment. I don't need some stupid mirror making me look thinner than I really am. What do you think about them? Are you psyched with what you see, or do you think this deception is just a marketing ploy to get you to spend more money?


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We've heard that it doesn't pay to be macho when lifting weights. So why do so many people — sorry to say, it's primarily men — insist on slamming down their weights? More often than not, my gym workouts are rattled by the clanging of weight plates or the sound of someone dropping a giant barbell onto the floor. There are signs posted that specifically say "don't drop weights," since it's both rude and disruptive. Sometimes it hurts my ears so much I think I'd be better off wearing earplugs.

What really gets me is that these offenders are not only making a ruckus, they're also probably not getting the most out of their lifting. Though you should push your muscles to the point of fatigue when lifting, it's important to stop if you start to lose form. If you don't have the strength to lower the weights down gently, that's not a good sign — though I suspect that some folks do it just for dramatic effect.

The gym is a shared space, so I've considered saying something to the patrons who slam down weights. But I always chicken out. Do you think I'm overreacting or does this get under your skin, too? Have you ever said anything to anyone about it?

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I planned a two hour family hike last weekend and everything was going well, until my little daughter stepped in dog poo. I was so thoroughly disgusted. Not by the smell, but by the irresponsible hikers that walked the trail before us. Not to be gross, but the doggy deposit was definitely fresh. As we were hiking up the mountain, I tried not to glare at every hiker we passed with a pooch.

I have no problem with dogs on the trail. We take Bonnie the dog with us all the time. I also carry a couple of bags in case she goes on the trail. I do, however, have a problem with a dog owner not picking up his or her dog's business especially when it is in the middle of the path. It's rude and disrespectful to the mountain and to the fellow hikers to not clean up a mess your pet leaves behind. I think it is a lot like littering (although it does eventually decompose, but like trash it doesn't belong on the trail). Do you have issues with this too? If you do, share them in the comments section below.

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