Commitment to Exercise

[azskyman]

Over the years, I've been on-again, off-again, about a committed exercise program. The last time I committed through a fitness center was in the mid 1990's...for a little more than two years.

When we moved to Arizona, the weather was so great that we spent some time outside walking and hiking when otherwise we would have been indoors. I've also done a nice job of swimming in the months from June through September.

We have a terrific new fitness center opening up a few minutes away (actually we have a Gold's Gym within walking distance, but with an emphasis on weights, that's not a real fit for non body-builder types like me) and am contemplating making that commitment once again.

A couple years away from 60, I'm not into the "meat market" that many gyms become, but this opportunity is more family/age specific...and I'm sure it would add another bit of help toward sticking around a few more years.

Just curious how many of you have regular workout schedules that your are committed to through a fitness center or at-home equipment. I'll let you know if I jump back into that program...

[Miss Mary]

Steve - over 4 years ago I realized the health benefits of walking 30 minutes a day on our newly purchased treadmill. If I skipped a day, I could feel it - I was very sluggish and tired. I would say I walked faithfully for almost 2 years back then. Then I began to slack off. We all have. Even Jim used to walk on it. Now it's gathering dust! I told myself after xmas to get on it again and here it is April now. Only a handful of times have I used it. Perhaps your topic will encourage me to do it again. My doctor told me the best 4 types of exercises are a must, on a daily basis: walking, running/jogging, riding a bike, or swimming laps (he said this was the very best one since it didn't put stress on knee and foot joints). I chose walking and I'm sure in the blistering heat, getting into your pool isn't what you really want to do! I'm not into swimming and I love walking. Whatever works for a person, I said just implement it now and get moving. Okay, I promise to get on that treadmill today at some point. Right now Church is calling...but later I'll really do that!

Mary

[hunter84]

I hope you get back into it Steve. It certainly makes me feel better after I've been there. I try to get to the fitness center near my house 3 times a week, but I also run 3 days a week if I can. Now that it's finally warming up here it is making that easier.
Our center is in a high school so it can be kind of busy with all the kids in there sometimes. Just have to plan ahead.

[Stephanie]

I used to belong to a gym a few years back. My main reason was to try and lose weight, but that never happened because of the weight training. I did get firmer and I also used the treadmill/stairclimber/stationery bike. However, I haven't been to one in a few years because they are kind of cost-prohibitive. I would go once or twice a week, but it felt more like a chore for me. As the weather gets nicer, that's the last place that I want to be - I get alot of exercise outside. I really should do more though - just walking around the neighborhood would be a good thing. I've been contemplating getting a treadmill as well.

[coriolis]

I'm looking forward to a good season of bicycling. Last spring/summer I only did 800 miles before back problems hit due to too many hills in too high of gears. Hopefully I'll avoid that this year with the lower gears I put on. My goal by November: 1500 miles. Maybe I'll post my progress in my signature or something.

[Stephanie]

I'm looking forward to a good season of bicycling. Last spring/summer I only did 800 miles before back problems hit due to too many hills in too high of gears. Hopefully I'll avoid that this year with the lower gears I put on. My goal by November: 1500 miles. Maybe I'll post my progress in my signature or something.

You should! That will give you more of an incentive!

[Turtle742]

Coriolis,

WOW, am I impressed. One of my co-workers cycles in many fund raising events up here in southern New England. One that he is planning on doing is on Martha's Vineyard...a 100 mile event, fundraiser for the MS Society (near and dear to me, since my DH has the disease). And YES, please post your progress on your signature. Accountability is an important thing (believe me, I know!), but also gives you short and long term goals to achieve, too. Plus, we'll be cheering you on!!!

Mary...I can totally hear you about the treadmill. I haven't been able to be on it regularly since around Christmas due to a foot injury (heel spur). I think that's a big part of my weight loss slow down...been feeling lazy and sluggish. (You hit that one on the head.) Whenever I try to get on, the foot flares up. I'm going to the podiatrist this week, and hopefully I'll be back on the walking again once he figures out what can be done. We'll see...

The best thing about my weight loss adventure, though, as been finally figuring out that I need to do this FOR ME, and no one else. I have to take care of myself, then I can take care of all the other important things in my life. Amazing what a great program (the one I'm following) and being followed by a national crew (the Dateline gang) will do for one!

Take care!

--Turtle

[wx247]

We just recently got a Y here in town and I have been going now for 2 weeks and love it. Like Popsky mentioned... I hate the meat market appeal of a health club... the Y is full of regular people just like me... not Mr. or Mrs. Fitness.

[azskyman]

Memberships are not expensive at this new place, but enough to serve as an extra incentive to spend time on the treadmill or stationary bike or doing some lifting. We're still debating...

[janswizard]

I joined Curves for Women a week ago and already I can feel a difference. I was the typical couch potato; I put myself on the South Beach diet on February 29th and had already lost 17 pounds. But my fat pockets didn't seem to be going away so I thought an exercise program would be a good way for me to help myself.

We also have a Gold's that just opened in our area and several girls from work paid a membership and are already hating it. Their complaint is that is appears to be a meat market and they aren't there to impress anyone; just to get some exercise.

One thing I have noticed, though, since I started to exercise. My weight is shooting up again. I was told this is because muscle weighs more than fat so I shouldn't be concerned to see my weight go up a few pounds.

I know that come Easter Sunday I will be cheating on my diet - the very first time since I started it. My mother makes home-made ravioli and this is part of our traditional Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas meal. There's no way I'm passing up dinner that day; I'll stay away from the sweets but I plan on having a full plate of ravioli that day.

[azskyman]

Hi Janswizard. Don't let the muscle toning scare you away. Kathy went to Curves for quite a while...and had success too.

We'll make a decision on membership in the next few days...probably join after Easter!

[streetsoldier]

I get PLENTY of exercise...

Give me a keyboard and a screen, and I will stay busy for hours.