finally.

[Suzanne_H]

I joined a local gym six months ago, specifically the gym near my place of employment. For the rest of the summer I refused to go. I was too busy, didn't feel like driving so far, I'll get into it once school starts, etc. Bottom line I lacked the courage and willingness to walk in the door. I mean geez louise you'd think I'd at least walk out my own front door and waddle around the block but nope didn't happen.

Recently my husband started complaining about the waste of money, paying for a dormant gym membership each month. I'm locked into a 3 year contract, so...

Last weekend I packed my gym bag ready to go, hoping that if the bag is right there I have no excuse not to go. Monday I was "tired". I was reminded that exercise energizes me. I still didn't go. Tuesday I was "busy". I found at least an hour to waste playing on the internet after work. Today I had a parent meeting after school and felt so tired so I really had two great excuses. I got on the freeway headed for home and somehow wound up in the gym parking lot.

I did a 5 minute warmup on the track, 30 minutes of good cardio on the elliptical machine, and a 5 min cool down. It's a start. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

My various attempts at weight loss have never had so much support. I am so grateful for the accountability I find on these boards and for the support of a loving family.

[JaxMama]

Re: finally.

That's awesome, I love the endorphines of a work out. Keep it up and set small goals, they always keep me motivated to do more.

[JulieB]

Re: finally.

Congrats at finding yourself at the gym

[Maggiemuggs]

Re: finally.

Good for you! The first time is always the hardest, but each day gets easier and easier. Start out slowly and don't try to do too much at first as you don't want to get an injury. I have alway loved working out, especially with weights, and a couple of years ago a friend of mine who had never worked out a day in her life at the age of 36, was emphatic that she would never set foot inside a gym. She

[Maggiemuggs]

Re: finally.

Sorry, to continue, She felt that people were looking at her, that she had no experience, she was too fat (the irony), but after two months of convincing her to come, and after her first week there, she felt silly that she hadn't gone before and couldn't believe how much better she felt. It takes me about a month back in the game to feel really good, but yesterday I did 20 minutes of running on the treadmill and a half hour of weights, but I couldn't believe how amazing I felt this morning and I have been full of energy all day. Once it becomes your routine again, you'll be happy where you are in your journey.
Have you done strength training before?

[Kntrylady]

Re: finally.

Way to Go Suzanne

I miss having a gym nearby (nearest is 45 miles) and if you can do it a few times, I think you'll love it. The one I used to go to had a sauna and a spa, which I promised to myself once a week if I went regularly Whatever works, right? Keep it up

[mission to lose]

Re: finally.

My "gym/club" is at the Park district. It opened 1 yr ago this month. It is like a mini health club. Has all the stuff, just a smaller facility. Our Bally's has 20 treadmills, my club has 6. WE have all the machines, weights, bikes, elliptical, etc., Basketball court, and a track.

Then there are the classes. So wonderful, Yoga, Bollywood, Zumba, toning, sculpting, stretching, step, Pilates, and on and on. Went to a 60 minute Zumba class tonight, and there is a new instructor for that new time slot. The teacher was quite different from my Tues and Sat Zumba class, but was great!!!

I wish I had started last January instead of just last August!!!

[Rayjax]

Re: finally.

I enjoy the satisfaction of having seen my strength skyrocket in the last 11 weeks. When I started I barely could bench 135 10 times. Now its 245 10 times. Squats and deadlifts are the same. Barely the bar when I started, 250+ now.

I can't wait for 3 more weeks on this program. After that I'm doing 1 rep maxes for a week and then starting a new program. One thing I do have is the luxury of having my older brother as a workout partner. When one of us feels tired, or not like going, we make each other go.

Bottom line. Set some goals, things you want to see improve. Get a workout partner if you can, it allows you/makes you push yourself beyond the limits you think you have.

The only thing that can possibly hold you back is your mind, it is much the same for everyone.

Now stop reading this and go do some PT. =)

[Georgiana]

Re: finally.

Good for you, Suzanne!

And on days when you don't go to the gym, going for a walk would still count as exercise.

[chinadoll]

Re: finally.

Wonderful Suzanne! Getting through the gym door is the hardest part for most of us. Just promise yourself 15 minutes there a day and I guarantee you will be there for a full workout once you arrive and you will feel more energetic and better about yourself.

[gxi1247]

Re: finally.

You could also join the Six week exercise challange on this board. It really has helped me to stay accountable. I would start slow, say with 3 days a week, then on later challanges you can bump it up to more days.

[mission to lose]

Re: finally.

Suzanne,

If you keep going a few days in a row, you will soon find it easier to make the gym more of a routine, rather than a last resort choice.

I am glad you FINALLY did it!

[JulieB]

Re: finally.

I find the trick for me is to keep it short...I have been exercising regularly since April (when I started) but I usually do 20-30 minutes at a time. I still don't like exersize, even though I feel better when I do. So I just commit to a level that I know I can live with.