If you’ve been a reader for any length of time, you may remember that exercise and I have never been on good terms. However, the recent addition of discounted gym memberships to our already huge list of kick-ass employee benefits has me ready to give physical fitness the chance it deserves.

I’d like to tell you that my change of heart is due to a personal breakthrough that involves me becoming uber health conscious or that I’ve vowed to treat my body like a temple. Not so. The impetus for this life revolution is simply that the weather just turned nice and there ain’t no way in hell I’d stroll a beach with this body. (That and my pants don’t fit quite as well as they used to.)

Sure, I’m all for being healthier and living longer and having more energy and sleeping better and all that jazz. But I’ll be honest. The promise of better circulation isn’t going to get my lazy ass to the gym. It will get me to eat right, sleep well, and take vitamins. Why? Those things are easy. Exercise is not.

Unfortunately, while looking good is the best motivator to get me to the gym, it’s probably the biggest deterrent keeping me from the gym as well. Cause let’s think about this. Who will be at the gym with me? All my coworkers. Good God! Do I really want the head of finance to see me getting my belly fat measured? Do I need my colleagues to know what I look like in yoga pants? Do I feel comfortable enough with my boss to risk him catching me exiting the pool?

Hell no.

I like my coworkers in a “I’m cool spending time together outside of the office” kind of way, but NOT in a “I’m down with you getting an eyeful of my cellulite” kind of way.

Now I need to get into shape just so I can start going to the gym!