Do you want to be a Buff Bride?

This is actually the campaign being run at my gym right now. The phenomenon of women trying to loose weight for a wedding never crossed my mind before, but now I find myself even telling Wyatt how I plan to lose a few pounds. I get the feeling that many women look at getting married as starting off with a new slate, kind of like starting off a new year...or at least marketers believe that.

So this blog is about deals and weddings. We really don't belong to a gym, but are sampling a free membership of 21 days at a posh Gold Coast gym. I kid you not, membership here is around $120 a month ($80 with my corporate discount)! To join or not to join, that is the question.

Many gyms will give you a month trial free if you just go in and talk to them. If anything, its a nice perk to beat the winter blues and also a nice way to break a routine if you are stuck in a rut. And yes, join right before your wedding and loose those pounds! I've even found it to be a bit of a sociological experiment.

People in the city take working out very seriously. Wyatt and I get as many noodles as we can and float down the lap lane like its a lazy river. Those in speedos and swim caps find us mildly annoying and to them I say have a little fun with your workout!

Every machine in the gym has its own TV! Fahrenheit 451 here we come. I tried watching the TV one time working out without headphones and was amazed at the number of commercials! 30 minutes of news and all I learned was--Dick Chaney has a blood clot. So I've decided that the stair machine will provide a great time to catch up on podcasts. I'm listening to a fascinating series called Cults and Sects, look for a blog soon : )

The last if not largest portion of my workout consists of sitting in the hot tub, sauna, and steam room (eucalyptus steam!). I have always enjoyed the spa, but after experiencing the sento in Japan I have a deep affection for it. Wyatt and I semi-joke that we will put in a Japanese bath in our house or at least the Japanese sitting shower. I can't believe the number of women who just go the gym to run on a treadmill and pass up this glorious experience. The spa just hasn't caught on America. Its unfortunate because after watching many an average Joe train like hes in the decathlon at the Olympics, he could use a little relaxation.

In closing, pick up a noodle in the pool, play a game of horse, cha cha like there's no tomorrow and by all means have fun when you exercise!

Thought for the Day: If it weren't for the fact that the TV set and the refrigerator are so far apart, some of us wouldn't get any exercise at all.