After working out at gym, met my friend at ATM machine. Had an interesting conversation with him.
Seeing me in my sport shoes, my friend asked, “Where did you go just now, playing basketball?”
Me: Oh, just came back from gym.
Friend: Wow, so healthy?
Me: Hahaha…just a normal exercise.
Friend: Oh, that’s good, but I heard gym membership is very expensive. How much you pay for yours?
Me: Mine is less than $100 monthly, but it depends on the package you sign up.
Friend: $100 monthly, that’s expensive!
Me: Hmm…
Friend: If you go to gym once a week, only four times a month. Each time will cost you about $25. I rather go to disco club. (Not bad, he is still good in calculating.)
Me: Oh, you still go clubbing nowadays?
Friend: Yeah, of course, man. Got babes there.
Me: So, any chance for One Night Stand lately?
Friend: Oh, not really. Go there to relax. Stand for one night… (He is now lighting his cigarette).
Me: Oh, nowadays, cigarette is so damn expensive, still smoke?
Friend: Yeah, has cut down a lot already. Nowadays, only 1 packet for 2 days. (His phone rang now). Hey, gotto make a move now. My clubbing buddies called me.
Me: Oh, where to?
Friend: Zouk this time. You want to come along. Jenny’s sister will be there. She’s hot. Introduce to you?
Me: Hmm…I don’t drink for some time.
Friend: Sure or not? Anyway, if you change your mind, text me.
Me: You too. If you change your mind and need some recommendations on which gym to join, let me know.
Friend: Nah. Working out at gym is tough.
Me: I’m not telling you it is going to be easy. I’m telling you it is going to be worth it. You may delay and wait, but time will not.
Friend: …(walked away without saying anything).
Different people place what they like with different priority. My friend spend about $100 for his cigarettes every month and the drink bill will be about $200 monthly too (based on my clubbing experience with him).
$100 a month for a fitness center is too much for him. But, $300 for cigarettes and drink is acceptable. I wonder why. I don’t have the answer.
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GymRat // Apr 20, 2008 at 4:20 pm
You are right Mun, different people have different priorities. Unfortunately, almost everyone I know place these “unhealthy” habits as their priorities. They do not see exercising or gym membership are actually inexpensive ways to stay healthy in the long term. Sigh … it’s sad to see people I care still smoking n boozing around … By the way, I went for a body analysis checkup today. Everything is at healthy level … Am happy! The 3-4 years of exercising and healthy eating habits really paid off!
Jonz // Apr 20, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I’ve been working out on and off for about 5 years now, the lapses are caused by injuries in sports and all and the latest lapse was caused by my hectic work schedule when i got back here to Malaysia. Long working hours and boss & peer pressure became the root cause of me quitting for about a year. Doing exactly what you have posted about, drinking + smoking whereby my monthly bills will be ringing in at about rm 600-800.
Since last december i’ve quit smoking and signed back up with a local gym and have been working out 4-5 times a week and I feel better than never before. Body fat % has gone back down to 14% or so and i’ve recovered my stamina back again. Best thing is i’m spending RM 100+ a month for a better lifestyle. I still do drink but I do it sparingly, about 3-4 times a month.
Don’t go down the road of no return with all the unhealthy lifestyle, get a balance and you’ll be feeling much better about yourself.
Cheers Mun for postin this up, the general masses has got a very skewed perception of the high cost for going to the gym.
Rodrigo // Apr 21, 2008 at 7:28 am
El problema con aceptar el costo de los cigarros y las bebidas y no el costo del gimnasio es que los dos primeros dan una satisfacción a corto plazo, tanto estimulante a nivel fisico, como a nivel social (status social). En cambio el gimnasio es una satisfacción a largo plazo, donde tienes que aplazar la gratificación y anteponer dificultades para poder obtener resultados, lo que en esta sociedad de inmediatez lo que no es rapido no es bueno.