Spinnin’ For Weight Loss… Without A Bike
November 24, 2018 Ashley 0 Comments
I’ll admit it.
I’m as vain as the next chick trodding on the treadmill.
Sure, working out is just as much about mental health for me as physical health. But if I could look good by simply sitting on my rump, I’m not so sure I’d go running so much. I definitely wouldn’t today (*pans camera outside to falling icy rain and a thermometer which reads 30 degrees*). So, I’d say my motivation to stay slender’s about equal parts of each. Fifty percent’s for sanity. The other half is to look fit as shiz. And, sometimes, I’ll lose sight of that latter thing. (Especially in sweater weather.) That’s when I have to employ something a lot of other fitness nuts will tell you to avoid: comparing myself to impossibly hot women.
Now, I concede, this is tricky territory.
They say comparison is the thief of joy. And, yes, it definitely can be, if you’re aimlessly trolling insta, looking at women half your size and age while you eat a tin of Chunky Monkey under the covers on your couch. That’s not what I mean. (That’s hot body and happiness kryptonite alike.) Rather, what I’ve stumbled upon is a bit different. It’s a unique way to feel not envy but a camaraderie with fit and beautiful women you aspire to look like. A way to feel as if you’re on their level as you work toward what they’ve got.
(“Hot chick high five!”)
There’s no real sorcery to it.
All you do is hop on the treadmill or elliptical, prop up your phone, and workout to a music video playlist of high bpm EDM vibes set to music videos. But not just any videos. I’m talking those hippie fest vids, where the blanket layout for most of them includes panning from the DJ to half naked ladies in the crowd, bouncing around happily and carefree. The videos featuring hot chicks, dancers, party people, and the whole nine. It might sound silly in theory. But, because you’re releasing self made endorphins while doing this, you feel equally happy – not low in self esteem like you do from your sofa. Also, your mirror neurons kick in, making you connect with the subjects you’re seeing. That connection makes you want to move faster to match the high energy you’re viewing (meaning you burn more). Also, because you’re watching these people celebrate, that positive energy also gets picked up by your mirror neurons, meaning more endorphins get released, and your energy levels reach a peak. This does a few things. The first is that you work harder, now that you’ve got natural painkillers coursing through you. The second’s that you go for longer. And the third’s that, once you’re done, you make better lifestyle choices that don’t include abusing your bod with bad food. Finally, the images of what you can ultimately achieve, remind you to keep going. It’s a lot easier to feel good and inspired watching fitspo chicks when you’re actually doing the moves that will help you reach that level. It makes it feel more real than issuing yourself empty affirmations as you suck down udon noodles.
So where do you go to find it?
Spinnin’.
No, not spin class. I mean Spinnin’ TV’s EDM playlists on Youtube. Now, if you hate electronic music, then this totally isn’t for you. But I do encourage you to give it a try. Why? Well, I’ve found that, even though I wouldn’t really listen to this genre anywhere else, it really does level up my sweat sesh. The high beats per minute make HIIT feel easier. And, aside from the beautiful people they feature in their videos, they often also have fabulous dancers, gorgeous outdoor scenery, and the kind of positive energy in general that makes you want to keep moving. It’s generally friends joyriding, festivals, parties, or young lovers adventuring through somewhere exotic as some unmemorable yet motivating song is playing. And I need that. Especially right now, during the winter months like this, when I require a reminder that icy temps are temporary and I can’t hide under a sweater tent forever.
So, if losing weight to look great isn’t your motive, then maybe curve this tip and keep it curvy.
But, if it is, and you need a fire under your bum to get a straight fire looking bum, then give Spinnin’ a try!