Monday, January 2, 2012

Working Out Sucks! Book Review and Giveaway

I think most of us have all said "working out sucks" sometime in our lives.  In all honesty, it can suck, but the alternatives suck more.

I have been given the opportunity as a FitFluential Ambassador to read and review the book Working Out Sucks! (And Why It Doesn't Have To) from the CEO and co-founder of Anytime Fitness, Chuck Runyon.

I enjoyed this book.  As I have tried to get fit and lose weight throughout my life, I have read a lot of weight loss and fitness motivational books, and this is by far one of the better books I have read. If you are looking for a book that tells you everything is going to be easy and getting fit is a walk in the park, this is not the book for you.

This is a four part book, and in the first part, Chuck Runyon pulls no punches.  He goes through each excuse of why people don't work out and blows it out of the water.  Some of the chapters even pissed me off, but I knew I had used many of the excuses he went through, and he was right. This part of the book motivates and pumps you up to get off your butt and get to work.

The second part of the book is about changing behavior. Let's face it, if it was easy to just decide to get up and start working out and change the way we do things, everyone would be in shape and work out. Changing the way we behave is a huge part of this process.  Rececca Derossett writes about tools and methods we can use to help change our own behavior and break through any road blocks we put in front of ourselves.  This section has several success stories of others who took control of their lives and started to get healthy.  I related with several of the stories and have my own.

Part three discusses nutrition.  Brian Zehetner covers everything from the carb debate, fiber being your friend, water, protein and many other subjects.  I have written about this several times. Once you start working out and make it a habit, the hardest part is food. Eating right will always be a struggle for me.  Working out after I started was easy, but I still struggle on eating better.  That is why I liked this part of the book so much. So much of the process is the nutrition, and this section really breaks it down to why it is so important.  There is no silver bullet or magic pill; it is all about eating healthy and living right. You will get all the tips you will need to start your own nutritional plan.  Everyone is different and he recognized it, so he gives you tips to help you with what YOU need.

The last part of the book is about fitness and the 21-Day Kick Start plan for total health and fitness.  The getting off your butt and moving part of the process. This book is designed for those who are starting the weight loss and getting healthy process.  Getting off the couch and walking for 15 minutes. 

I am going to be doing the 21-Day Kick Start plan he has in his book.  I am excited, because it will get me back on track with eating healthy, and I will get to try some new workouts.  I will be working out at the Anytime Fitness here in Republic, Missouri.  I am going to blog about my process and how the plan and the book has helped me.  I wish I had this when I first started.

So if you are looking for a no-excuse, get-your-butt-up-and-get-started book, I recommend you go get Working Out Sucks.  It is perfect for those who are starting.  Working out does suck, but dieing young and not being able to play with your kids suck worse.

Follow my process here as I strive to lose the last 40-50 lbs using the 21-day process and the tools I learned from this book.  I will be posting at least once a week about my 21-day process and what I have been doing and how it has been helping me.  I am going to the gym today and starting Day 1.

Now, I am sure all of you want to run out and get this book, and I highly suggest you do.  I am also going to be giving away three copies.  Entering is easy, all you have to do is leave a comment and tell me an excuse you have used to getting out of working out (mandatory).  For another entry, you may tweet “I want to win the @AnytimeFitness book #WorkingOutSucks from @cajacrosby http://tinyurl.com/73xyzgb and leave another comment saying you did it or the second entry will not count! US readers only please. Giveaway will be going until next Monday 1/9/12 at 11:59PM CST. I hope you win!  We will randomly draw the three winners.



FitFluential LLC compensated me for this sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

40 comments:

Brittnee said...

My lamest excuse to not exercise is having to change. Once I'm dressed for the day I'm dressed.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this book and get off the couch, but I live in Canada and can't be part of the giveaway :(

(Actually, I already worked out twice today, but I have some personal training clients that NEED to read this book!)

madison said...

My excuse used to be that I was too tired or just didn't feel like it. My parents own an anytime fitness franchise and now I love working out!

madison said...

I also tweeted on Twitter!

Dale D said...

A big portion of my brain runs on short-term results; that's not to say I can't do things long-term, but after going through a solid three-week, consistent regimen, I can fall back into not doing any physical activity again, for months at a time.

Since the three week periods don't yield to a grandiose result most of the time, I tend to go back to eating big, and working out little.

But as I've heard, "the shorter amount of time it takes to lose weight, the shorter amount of time you'll gain it back." I can't depend on such short-term solutions, as diet and exercise should be a lifestyle, not a quick fix.

Dale D said...

With that said as well, I too just tweeted the good news of hopefully winning a copy of the book! Good stuff!

Jami B said...

I have actually skipped working out because I didn't want to wash my hair afterwards. LAME, I know. Thankfully, I've found an Anytime Fitness that I love going to, so I make excuses a lot less often now.

Jami B said...

I also tweeted (@msblisser)!

Momma On The Run said...

My number 1 excuse is always...My children. I don't have time to devote to myself b/c I have to devote it to them.

Momma On The Run said...

I also tweeted! @Trulove821

Mrs. Mom said...

Mine was saying that working out was behind me after blowing my ACL. I convinced myself that some how it would hurt too much or that it would re-injure myself. I had a lot of people tell me that the reason that I had blown my ACL was because I was a mom and not suppose to be "playing games" anymore.

Run Josh Run said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
@huck1eberry said...

I used to complain about aches and pains until I talked myself out of working out. I quit listening and ran a marathon this year. Stupid brain you can't trick me.

@huck1eberry said...

I tweeted your link @huck1eberry

B said...

My excuses in this order: I have too much work to do. Then when it's all done, I'm hungry. Followed by I'm too full. Lastly, it's too dark to run outside (even though I own a treadmill)and I'm going to sleep.

B said...

Tweeted as @BChan5720

Heather G said...

My biggest excuse for not working out in past was because of my health. Little did I know, when I exercise, I feel so much better. So what started out as an excuse, actually became my motivator. You are such an inspiration - I love following your blog! Keep up the great work Chris.

Carolyn Cox said...

My biggest excuse is finding time with 4 kids 6 and under. I should be more determined, but I give in to my tiredness often.

Carolyn Cox said...

Tweeted @cruby04

Hiatt Family said...

My excuse is also my kids. I work all day, keep them happy in the evening, clean up the house, and then try to get some sleep before the two youngest beckon me during the night. I would love more me time because I feel better when I work out but I am often just exhausted.

Megan said...

Excuses. Aren't we all so good at them. My house is too small, my schedule too weird. But to be honest, I've blamed alot on my son who has a genetic disorder and not having a babysitter at the times I'd like to work out. But I've got a goal in mind this year and I'm kicking my stupid excuses habit. Kicking what's comfortable for what's needed.

Ginger said...

My excuses sound familiar to the ones above -- working mom, no time, kids need me around, etc. One thing I've found to do is ride my bike to work (8 miles). It gets in some much-needed exercise and it doesn't take me a lot longer to ride to work and shower there than to get myself ready at home.

However, it's too dark and cold now so I'm having to find other ways to fit in some activity. And yes, I have lights and winter riding gear but I'm a real baby about the cold!

Paul Rone said...

I'm the type that really doesn't need an excuse to avoid working out. When I don't want to work out, I have to go on autopilot and simply get to it. If I sit around and think about the reasons I don't want to work out, it will NEVER happen.

Anonymous said...

My biggest excuse is usually that I'm just too tired or sore (from the last workout, several days ago). I also live in a state (OHIO) where the weather is quite unpredictable and I tend to use this as an excuse for not going out to workout. For instance, a few days ago it was relatively warm. That same day the temperature dropped to below freezing and started sleeting. This was all that I needed to excuse myself from working out that day and the next (the roads might still be slick, right?)

Anonymous said...
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Amber said...

I have used the excuse that its cold outside my bed way too many times.

Amber said...

I also tweeted :)

Anonymous said...

I retweeted here: https://twitter.com/#!/b_costlow/status/154444380940406784

Mac said...

Excuse = it's too cold outside

Mac said...

I tweeted (@wealths_health)

Paula Simmons said...

My biggest excuse lately is that it is too cold and I just want to sleep in.

Heidi Nicole said...

Biggest excuse... "I worked on my feet all day, I'm tired"!

Heidi Nicole said...

I tweeted.
@runaroundaroo

Candace Martin said...

I worked really late on an assignment last night and probably didn't get enough sleep... awful excuse to not work out, but I slip up occasionally.

Candace Martin said...

I also tweeted! @candace626

The Triathlon Rx said...

The one workout I have [sadly] frequently made excuses to change/skip is the swim workouts. I find myself saying I'll do something else to "warm up" and THEN get in the pool... but it usually just turns out to be doing something else entirely. :) I hate being wet/cold!!

Kayla said...

I've given the excuse that its too cold to walk to and from the gym

Kayla said...

Tweeted!
@kaylaruth

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

I'm too sore from the previous workout session hehe :)

heatheranne99 at gmail dot com

Kaizen Fashion Project said...

Tweet!
https://twitter.com/#!/ScoomerBlog/status/155342045052022784

heatheranne99 at gmail dot com