Overcome treadmill boredom
Ranked #6,140 in Healthy Living, #110,249 overall
How Stephen Fry turned his treadmill workouts into "sheer pleasure"
Stephen Fry is a big star. Literally.
The 51-year-old British actor, author, game show host and Twitter fiend stands 6' 5".
And until recently, Stephen Fry weighed almost 300 lbs.
Then he lost 80 lbs in six months.
Yes, he changed his diet. But he always hated going to the gym. Until he discovered a way to "multitask" on the treadmill that turned his work outs into "sheer pleasure."
The 51-year-old British actor, author, game show host and Twitter fiend stands 6' 5".
And until recently, Stephen Fry weighed almost 300 lbs.
Then he lost 80 lbs in six months.
Yes, he changed his diet. But he always hated going to the gym. Until he discovered a way to "multitask" on the treadmill that turned his work outs into "sheer pleasure."
"Stephen Fry's treadmill secret"
Stephen Fry: audiobooks were his weight loss secret
When asked about his incredible weight loss, Stephen Fry told a reporter from a British newspaper:"I never thought I would say this, but I genuinely enjoy going to the gym. I spent years mocking them, but now I'm one of the converts.
"What has helped enormously has been the audio books I listen to while I'm walking.
"I've written myself a list of great novels and am slowly working my way through them.
"At the moment it's Tim West reading Anthony Trollope. It's sheer pleasure, and largely uninterrupted.
"I've discovered that wearing white earphones means that people can see what I'm doing and usually don't disturb me."
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to audio books on your treadmill...)
Talking books at Amazon
Amazon offers fiction & nonfiction audiobooks
Perfect for treadmill listening! Amazon features thousands of downloadable audio books on every subject you can imagine.
"How I overcame treadmill boredom, too"
Stephen Fry and I couldn't be more different: I couldn't act to save my life. I'm definitely not a gay British guy. And I'm only 4' 11"But like Fry, I struggled with my weight. Thanks to everything from lupus medications to switching from cigarettes to donuts -- not to mention plain old middle age -- I've been everything from a size 0 to a 14 over the last twenty years.
When we moved into a condo with a fitness room, I was excited. Finally, I'd have no more excuses.
However, I found I became impatient after about 10 minutes on the treadmill. A voice in my head told me I was wasting my time, that I should be doing laundry instead, that I was probably missing some important phone call...
I just couldn't stay on the treadmill long enough for it to make a difference in my weight and well being.
At first I started listening to podcasts of talk radio shows, which is great because they tend to be chopped up into 35 minute segments. Just right for my time on the treadmill.
But later I added talking books to my mp3 player and listening to those instead.
I'd been a member of Audible.com for years,
And Audible.com talking books can be less than $8, instead of the $30+ you have to fork over for a new hardcover.
With a little help from those audio books, I've gone from a size 14 to a size 8.
And it was just a coincidence that the thing that kept me on my treadmill long enough to lose those pounds was the same method being used by a total stranger across the pond in England!
So that's two of us.
Today, mp3 players are more affordable than ever; Amazon lets you download audiobooks on every imaginable subject; and an Audible.com membership
PS:
inevitably, they keep asking Stephen Fry if he'll write a new book about his weight loss adventures.
He says he won't rule it out.
I hope it's an audio book. Narrated by himself. That would be the perfect ending to the story.
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Stephen Fry's weight loss secret!
- How he lost so much weight so fast
- Talking books on the treadmill were his secret weapon
Reader Feedback
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Obscure_Treasures Aug 11, 2010 @ 2:06 pm | delete
- Awesome lens, love the great ideas,Fantastic selection
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RobertBraun2
Mar 19, 2010 @ 2:29 pm | delete
- Another good article on overcoming treadmill boredom at http://www.treadmill-world.com/treadmill-boredom.html
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kshaidle
Jul 14, 2009 @ 8:23 am | delete
- Thanks, Ariding! It really is fun. Those unread books piled up on the floor make me feel guilty -- this way I can "read" and do something else at the same time :-)
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ariding Jul 14, 2009 @ 8:14 am | delete
- Great idea, every time I try to run I get bored out of my mind.
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KimGiancaterino Jul 13, 2009 @ 10:49 am | delete
- My husband watches his vast collection of Formula One races while he's on the treadmill. I prefer walking outdoors, but when I'm on the treadmill I watch Perry Mason DVDs or listen to the radio. Good to learn about Stephen Fry. I hope he decides to write a book.
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Stephen Fry in the news
- Feb 13, 2012 @ 8:06 amMrs Stephen Fry's Valentine's Day webchat: you can... from stephen fry - Google News
- The Guardian (blog)Mrs Stephen Fry's Valentine's Day webchat: you can ask Edna anythingThe Guardian (blog)Yours in controlled anticipation, Edna Fry (Mrs) "A good husband is like a good w...
- Feb 13, 2012 @ 7:38 amStephen Fry joins Downton and Harry Potter stars t... from stephen fry - Google News
- Daily MailStephen Fry joins Downton and Harry Potter stars to promote holidays in the UKDaily MailBy Sarah Gordon Stephen Fry and Julie Walters are teaming up with Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery...
- Feb 13, 2012 @ 6:53 amBafta 2012: Meryl Streep wins for role as Margaret... from stephen fry - Google News
- BritsceneBafta 2012: Meryl Streep wins for role as Margaret ThatcherTelegraph.co.ukIn the words of Bafta host Stephen Fry, Meryl Streep should be known these days as ?Maggie Thatcher, trophy snatcher?...
- Feb 13, 2012 @ 2:15 amVirtuoso guitarist Jon Gomm on how a three letter... from stephen fry - Google News
- Virtuoso guitarist Jon Gomm on how a three letter tweet by Stephen Fry changed ...WalesOnlineby Nathan Bevan, Western Mail He started playing classical guitar aged four, got lessons from some of Ameri...
- Feb 12, 2012 @ 5:05 pmTV review: The Wedding Proposal; Inspector Montalb... from stephen fry - Google News
- The GuardianTV review: The Wedding Proposal; Inspector MontalbanoThe GuardianThere's Twitter, I suppose, but she doesn't follow me on that either so I'd have to go begging for a retweet fr...
- Feb 12, 2012 @ 2:18 pmGeorge Clooney: 2012 BAFTA Awards Arrival - The Go... from stephen fry - Google News
- George Clooney: 2012 BAFTA Awards ArrivalThe Gossip GirlsDuring the show, Clooney will be facing off against Brad Pitt, Gary Oldman, Jean Dujardin and Michael Fassbender for Best Leading Actor honors...
- Feb 12, 2012 @ 5:00 amBarack Obama, Queen Elizabeth and Stephen Fry 0 Sh... from stephen fry - Google News
- JOEBarack Obama, Queen Elizabeth and Stephen Fry 0 Shamrock Rovers 1JOEStephen Fry's cameo in Ros Na Rún also had us worried. But the people of Ireland, or more likely Tallaght, spoke and Pat Sull...
- Feb 10, 2012 @ 9:37 amStephen Fry praises British talent - Film News from stephen fry - Google News
- Film NewsStephen Fry praises British talentFilm NewsThe thespian, playwright and comedian praised his fellow countrymen for their ?extraordinary talent? and range. Stephen believes that British actors...
- Feb 10, 2012 @ 3:18 amVIDEO: Fry: UK actors 'best' versus US from stephen fry - Yahoo! Canada Search Results
- Stephen Fry says for villainy, comedy and character acting no-one does it better than Brits.
by kshaidle
kshaidle
A blogging pioneer, Kathy Shaidle's blog FiveFeetOfFury is now in its 10th year. She also runs the Conservative Politics page at Examiner.com. Her boo... more »
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