We’re getting to the time of the year when the pounds start adding themselves at a frightening pace. I’m convinced that this onslaught of weight gain is initiated by a massive intake in sugar, in the form of all of that leftover Halloween candy. This triggers the body into its annual, “hey, it’s almost time to hibernate, lets put on the pounds mode.” Once we hit Thanksgiving, there’s no looking back … our bodies are hurtling down the highway to weight gain hell once again.

Is there a way to break this heinous cycle? Is it really possible to maintain or lose weight while working on the computer or watching TV?

I’m trying something new this year.

From a fitness standpoint, the time we spend in front of our CRTs, LCDs, and plasma screens is so much wasted time. I know a number of people who like to use their exercise equipment and play video games (or use a notebook computer) at the same time. Tell the truth, I had never experienced this. I’ve never emailed while using the AB Lounge, never IMed while on the elliptical trainer, never shot at extraterrestrials while on the treadmill.

A couple of months ago, I decided it was finally time to geek the exercise equipment and dragged our old recumbent stationary bike in front of our original 13″ bedroom TV. I’d wanted to do this for months. It turned out to be okay, but not great … the TV (which dated back to the first Gulf War) was was just too tiny.

Things got a whole lot better when we moved the thirteen-year-old 27″ living room TV to the bedroom, after finally getting our plasma.

Repurposing old technology, for fitness sake!

I’ve found that watching half a soccer match while on the stationary bike is 45 minutes of time well spent. I’m entertained while burning carbs, without a commercial interruption. And my son’s taken to riding the stationary bike while playing Need For Speed Carbon.

Ah, but wouldn’t it be nice to have an indoor pool, a giant projection screen, and a waterproof, wireless, shock-free mouse?

[tags]exercise equipment, stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical trainer[/tags]