So, I live in Yokohama, Japan and I am working on getting back in shape.
We joined a club last summer when I first got here but it was a 30 minute walk away and EXPENSIVE. So, we unjoined.
After that I started running and walking some outside but then I caught culture shock (that's another post) so I stopped being consistent in my workouts and started eating and drinking more.
In January, I decided I would get back to the old me. I started inside with DVDs (30 Day Shred - anyone else HATE Jillian? ha ha). Since the winter is mild here, I moved back to walking with interval runs in mid-February and some weights at home.
BUT I knew the rainy season for Japan was coming (it supposedly rains ALL of June A LOT, so says the hubby who moved here first as well as others - don't worry I have invested in a pair of Hunter boots so I won't be trapped inside).
So, the minute some one posted on one of the Facebook groups I belong to that she had a treadmill for FREE, I was all over that! She said it could be strapped to a wheelie cart and brought the 3 km home to our apartment by my husband (it folds up, this is really great as it can hide the corner).
Well, this treadmill is SHORT and I am NOT TALL (5 ft 3 inches) and if I am not careful I will walk/fall of it!
Also, the fastest speed is 5 km pace. Which is FINE because if it did go faster I WOULD fall off.
This treadmill is NOT an option for hubby on the weekends when he doesn't go to the gym at his office because he is TOO tall (5 ft 10 inches).
BUT I am glad I have it! I just did 33 minutes of walking at 5 km/hour with two sets of kettlebells in between the 11 minute marks and finished with some serious stretching for a total workout of 60 minutes. It was a good workout!
When the rainy season comes I think I will be OKAY! Sure, being outside is better but running while being drenched only works for me when I am at home in WARM Tampa (been there, done that anyone?).
Will this treadmill come back with us to Tampa in about 3 years? Probably not, but then I will pass it on to someone else for FREE.
But because of this treadmill I am getting back in shape.
Morale of this story: work with what you got AND don't let the weather bring you down!