I’m out of the gym for at least 2-3 weeks and I have a valid excuse that’s health/medical related and I’M DYING. I don’t know how you exercise-haters do it! My boyfriend is not allowed to do any exercises in front of me or he gets to hear my wrath of envy and I’ve resorted to reading fitness blogs and watching exercise videos on Youtube during my spare time— that’s how desperate I am! At least when I’m back in the gym, I will be going HARD because I’ve already collected a month’s worth of workouts and right now, I’m dying in my chair because I can’t do any of them.

But anyway, speaking of excuses…   here are some pathetic excuses I’ve used in the past:

• I’m too tired.
• I have no clean clothes. I now keep at least week’s worth in my gym locker. When my coworkers forget their gear, they all know who to ask! No excuses around me, nu-uh.
• I’m too busy.
• My iPod is dead.
• I feel uncomfortable at the gym.
• It’s still cold and dark outside. Morning workouts— I now sleep in my gear.
• I have no car.
• I left my runners at home.
• I’m too fat.
• Everyone will judge me.
• There are no more clean towels at the gym.
• I have no clean socks. I have at least 5 extra pairs now.
• I want to play Bejeweled.

Those were the old days. During my transition before I became a full-time fitness junkie, I once got to the gym and realized I left my iPod at home so I ended up driving 30 minutes home to get it then 30 minutes back to the gym. These days, I work out music or no music!

Another tiny confession: when I was 14 and working at McDonalds, I called in sick once because I was playing Bejeweled and didn’t want to give up all the points I’ve racked up.

What were your excuses?

Ever since I did the Ride to Conquer Cancer, I became a cycling addict. It has changed and filled my life in more ways than I could’ve imagined! Here are the reasons why I love cycling:

• Cycling makes me strong, fit and healthy.
• I love the challenge. Anytime I drive up a steep hill, the first thing that comes to my mind: “Omigod I want to bike up this hill sooo bad!!”  Then I text my boyfriend and make him plan a route with that hill for our next ride.
• My boyfriend loves cycling  as much as I do = time well spent together.
• Riding into a headwind, knowing you are kicking ass and making yourself a better rider.
• Or tagging along in a tailwind and going 30km/hr effortlessly. It’s not called cheating… it’s called making yourself feel better.
• I can easily burn thousands of calories in a day.
• And then I get to eat it all back.
• I’m saving myself, money and the environment by biking to work.
• And I usually get to work/home faster than when I drive or take public transit.
• Secretly laughing at people in cars stuck in traffic as I ride past.
• Speed.
• Especially when descending a mountain after working so hard to climb up in the first place.
• When random strangers yell “good job” and cheer you on when you are in the middle of a hard climb.
• The nap after a long ride.
• Covering long distances and actually getting to places (which is why I prefer cycling over running).
• Riding 80km to an indulgently yummy restaurant, pigging out mindlessly and then riding home.
• I love seeing so many people riding around the city especially one like ours with so many bike lanes and Greenways.
• There are so many types of cycling, bikes and cyclists. Everyone would be able to find the right one for themselves.
• Shopping for cycling gear.
• You would think riding miles and miles would be boring but it’s not. It’s simply freedom.
• Even when you are doing those miles and miles alone. It’s a time for de-stressing and self-reflection.
• It’s simple. You get on a bike and ride. How can you not love that?

And best of all, cycling does NOT feel like “exercise” to me. No matter how many hills I climb that day or no matter how the weather seems to be against me, I love it so much that when I’m out on my bike… I’m the happiest I can ever be.

Why do you love cycling?