Ask Emily: Jam at the gym
By Casey Gillis on Mar. 13, 2008
Dear Emily: I just started going to a local gym in an effort to lose weight. I don’t really know gym etiquette, but I seem to be doing something wrong, because I’ve noticed some regulars giving me funny looks when I use various weight machines. Could you maybe give me some pointers so I don’t stand out?
- Gym jerk
Dear Gym jerk: If you are going to hang with the gyms rats (people who spend all leisure time working out), you need to be up to speed on your protocol. First off, watch the sweat. If you leave a puddle of perspiration behind after using a machine, wipe it off with a towel and use the spray provided by the gym. Next off, share. If you are doing more than one repetition on a machine, let someone “work in” while you are resting. Finally, clean up after yourself. You may be a heavy lifter, but the person after you may not be, so put your weights back when you’re done.
Dear Emily: I recently lost my job due to company-wide layoffs, and I am having a hard time finding something else that suits what I need. I’m worried that I won’t be able to support my family much longer with what money I have in savings. But what I’m really worried about is explaining this to my wife because she thinks we have a lot more in savings than we really do. I used some of our savings to buy a new motorcycle, and I never exactly told my wife just how much it cost. How do I get out of this mess?
- In the hole and in the doghouse
Dear in the hole and in the doghouse: While making your wife happy is a noble goal, providing for your family must be your priority right now. If your motorcycle took money away from your savings, and the bike isn’t a necessity, sell it. Use that money to hold you over until you find a job. As for your employment situation, try not to be too picky. You may not be able to find the perfect job right away that suits you, but there is nothing wrong with taking a temporary position someplace while you continue to look for a better fit. Use your time wisely by searching job sites on the Internet when not at work. And perhaps all of this will win over your wife as well.
Dear Emily: How often is too often to get your hair highlighted? I like to experiment with different looks, but my roommate tells me that my hair will get damaged if I keep coloring it. I only get it done though maybe once a month.
- Color conundrum
Dear Color conundrum: Women abuse their hair daily with the hairdryers, straightening irons, hairsprays and other styling products, and dying hair is just another way to cause damage. But how often is too often depends on the type of dye you use. For example, permanent hair color with lifting action can be worse for you than deposit-only color. Also professional products can be less damaging than products you find at the store. Once a month does seem like a little much if you are dying your hair completely. Generally, touching up your roots every six to eight weeks seems to be the norm, while complete color change should be spaced out longer.
Have a question on love, life, or etiquette? Don’t be shy - Ask Emily at or write in care of The Burg, P.O. Box 10129, Lynchburg, VA 24506. Then go to http://www.the-burg.com, where you can leave a comment.
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