Exercise

So I did 15 minutes strength training and 15 minutes on the gazelle.  I feel great sweaty but great!  I am bound and determined to continue adding a song a day to increase my workout time on my gazelle instead of counting the minutes it seems to make it go faster!  If anyone has any interesting exercising tips I would love to hear them since it is not the easiest thing for me to do!

Thanks,

Missy

I used to love my Gazelle, but I moved and had no room for it so I gave it to my cousin-I'd love to have it back!! LOL Congrats on the 30 minutes!! That's a good idea, adding a song a day-I can NOT exercise without my music!! What do you listen to?

~Gigi

So I've really had exercise on the mind lately....yeah I don't really do any...but I'm so busy (aka unmotivated) to do it myself.  I also don't have any room to add any equipment or really even to do video's.  I don't mind walking, but I get home so late that I get scared to walk because it's dark.  So I've been thinking about joining a gym or joining curves...but it's so intimidating to me.  I have this fear that I'm going to be the one "big person" in there and it would just be akward.  Also the thought of going into some sort of cardiac arrest on the floor too (that one is a joke-I have exercised before...felt like I was going to die, but really was not going to). 

What thoughts/suggestion are there?  Should I just bite the bullet and be the solo "big girl" in the gym? 

Original Post by sarahbellabenn:

So I've really had exercise on the mind lately....yeah I don't really do any...but I'm so busy (aka unmotivated) to do it myself.  I also don't have any room to add any equipment or really even to do video's.  I don't mind walking, but I get home so late that I get scared to walk because it's dark.  So I've been thinking about joining a gym or joining curves...but it's so intimidating to me.  I have this fear that I'm going to be the one "big person" in there and it would just be akward.  Also the thought of going into some sort of cardiac arrest on the floor too (that one is a joke-I have exercised before...felt like I was going to die, but really was not going to). 

What thoughts/suggestion are there?  Should I just bite the bullet and be the solo "big girl" in the gym? 

 Hi, sarahbellabenn.

I'm not big on gyms, and it sounds like you aren't either.  I don't think a gym helps people find time to exercise, nor do I think a gym membership will motivate a person.

I did belong to Curves for a while and enjoyed it, but they have limited hours and it was during family time.  If you want to experiement with going somewhere to exercise, I recommend Curves.  You have to buy a package for a certain number of weeks, but you don't get locked into a lengthy membership.  I think I might have been the biggest person there, but I really didn't notice.  People were helpful and supportive.  It wasn't a fashion show like some of the gyms are.

More than anything...just get moving!  Those silly things we reaad about, like park so you have to walk further to get to the door, do work.  They also build confidence and encouragement.

Keep at it sarabellabenn!

I just joined a gym myself and had the same thought you did. . .I do not want to be the big girl working out next to the skinny chicks and the hard bodies.  I would suggest looking at several.  I visited about 4 before I picked one and the one I decided on has a weight loss work out group so I am in great company and no longer feel so intimidated to walk in the door.  I would also have at least one session with a trainer.  Let them show you how to best spend your time to reach your goals. 

Now, I cant wait to go. And the more I do, it becomes more about getting healthy and less about the others around me.  I just crank the ipod and go.  Good music is the key!

I used to love going to the gym but as I have gained more weight I tend to stay away from it more and more.  I keep telling myself that a gym is there to get into shape, but it is still hard.

I did start doing water aerobics 3 times a week at the gym this summer and I am loving it!  It is easy on the body and a great workout!

I love the idea of adding a song instead of time to a workout.  I am going to try it on the treadmill.  I need to break the treadmill back out.  It got put up this summer and I really do need to use it at least twice a week.

I also have a Gazelle. I got it over 2 years ago and really never used it regularly. Hated any sort exercise. I found out in mid May that my best friend was getting engaged and it was my motivation to finally get serious and do something about my weight. The next morning I made a decision to get out and exercise twice a day 5 days a week. I started with walking a mile in the morning before work and a mile in the evening after work. I eventually was able to work up to 2 - 3 miles in the evening. I walk with my Mom in the evenings so that helps a lot to be able to do more miles. Now that it is too dark outside in the morning (and too much traffic on my road right now) I do 20 minutes on the Gazelle every morning and I watch an episode of Dinosaurs I have on DVD and before I know it the 20 minutes are over. I am now trying Tae Bo and want to get some Sweatin To The Oldies videos to get me through the winter months when walking outside isn't quite so much fun (I live in Minnesota). So far with making a few better food choices I've lost almost 15lbs and I for sure want to lose another 15 by April I am hoping for 50 lbs lost by then but I think keeping my weight loss goals small will help me to keep at it for longer.

Original Post by sammax73:

 I do 20 minutes on the Gazelle every morning and I watch an episode of Dinosaurs I have on DVD

This was one of the greatest shows ever.  I love the two-parter they did about the fight over petroleum...I mean pistachios.

I tried to get these on DVD several years ago and couldn't find them.  I will look again.  I can't believe no one shows reruns of them!

I cannot do the gazelle thing - it shakes too much to me and I have a fear of anything unstable. I won't get in a boat for example since it moves when you step into it. My sister loves the gazelle but I want to get a treadmill myself - that I can handle :)

My biggest problem with exercise is I HATE sweating - it's just the grossest thing in the world to me. So was swimming a lot before the weather has gotten cold and have now switched to walking every day. Not fast enough to break a sweat, but about a 30 minute walk and so far, so good.  Also have been doing a lot of old ballet moves - pliates, etc. and stretches and started using my dumbbells last night. As long as I don't sweat, I can keep going for a while - fortunately, I don't sweat easily anyway. But as soon as I start sweating, I have to stop. I know, I'm weird and I'm sure no one else has that problem :(

I switched from Bally's to 24 Hour Fitness recently because I have a 24 closer to my house. I now know where all the people who are in shape go! I try to go when it's less crowded, but as I just signed up on New Year's Day, it has been packed regardless of what time of day it is. I am ridicuously out of shape. I am who I am though. What is my alternative? Not work out? I bit the bullet an accepted that I am the biggest person in there.....but I am doing something about it. I would rather be the fat guy in the gym instead of the fat guy on the cookie aisle in the grocery store buying zoom zooms and wham whams.

Most gyms do a free trial. 24 Hour has a 10 day trial. They also have a promotion through Costco: 2 years for $299. It's quite the deal. If you don't have a Costco card it's $50 to join. Even if you don't have a Costco near you it is still worth joining and paying the $349. They don't do this promotion all year, it's for a limited time. It excludes the super sport and elite, but valid everywhere else. The regular price is around $40 a month.

Bally's is teaming up with Discovery Channel again (they do it every January, I think). The rates are: $49 sign up fee, $29 a month, plus whatever the cost of a card is (it should be free; I know the replacement cost is $10). Right now you can receive a free month.

Curves is a good idea for you as it's all women. It would be just weird if I knew how much it was to join a woman's gym.

I like to find inspiration in the similarities between others' stories. I have a habit of convincing myself of reasons I don't want to work out...the gym is on the other side of town, I'm tired, there are too many people there. The bottom line is they are excuses that we try to rationalize in our minds. For me, I switched gyms because of the closer location and the cheaper price. I am trying to find out when the dead time is and I hope that others there will stop working out so much within the next couple of weeks.

I went in there a couple of days ago and I was doing squats. After 3 sets I felt something pull in my back as I tried to squeeze out one last rep and lost form. I will be out of the gym for probably a week because of this (I can hardly move right now). ...Anyway...You know what I was thinking as I walking out in agonizing pain? The people at the front desk who tell me bye were probably thinking: the fat guy can only work out for 10 minutes. LOL.  I don't care.

I remember this when I think about whether or not I want to go workout or not. I never feel worse after I'm done with a workout.   (Except when I pull my back).

 

 

Original Post by sarahbellabenn:

So I've really had exercise on the mind lately....yeah I don't really do any...but I'm so busy (aka unmotivated) to do it myself.  I also don't have any room to add any equipment or really even to do video's.  I don't mind walking, but I get home so late that I get scared to walk because it's dark.  So I've been thinking about joining a gym or joining curves...but it's so intimidating to me.  I have this fear that I'm going to be the one "big person" in there and it would just be akward.  Also the thought of going into some sort of cardiac arrest on the floor too (that one is a joke-I have exercised before...felt like I was going to die, but really was not going to). 

What thoughts/suggestion are there?  Should I just bite the bullet and be the solo "big girl" in the gym? 

I've got a gazelle, but haven't used it in over a year.  I tried it a few months ago, but it really bothers my back.  According to the physical therapist, that's not something I should be using yet.  As my weight drops and I get my back in better shape I can.  So, for now it's the treadmill and then outside walking when the weather gets better.

I've got a treadmill at home too, so I've been doing 20 minutes every evening this week.  I know that's not much, but gotta start somewhere, right.  :)  I am trying to make myself get up about 20 minutes earlier in the morning so I can do 20 minutes in the morning and 20 after work, but I am so not a mornng person and I've failed the last 3 mornings at that goal.  But, there is always tomorrow, right. 

Next week when my daughter starts back to karate, I'll be making use of the swimming pool and gym located at the facilty where she takes karate.  They have a recumbant (sp?) bike which I really liked and some other equipment.  When I get into a little better shape I'll check into pilates.

I have back problems too and have noticed when it flares up that the Gazelle doesn't help it much either...glad it's not just my imagination that I don't want to work out or something. Lately my back has been pretty good so I'm crossing my fingers that it stays that way for a long time because when it goes out the last thing I want to do is exercise.

Original Post by sarahbellabenn:

So I've really had exercise on the mind lately....yeah I don't really do any...but I'm so busy (aka unmotivated) to do it myself.  I also don't have any room to add any equipment or really even to do video's.  I don't mind walking, but I get home so late that I get scared to walk because it's dark.  So I've been thinking about joining a gym or joining curves...but it's so intimidating to me.  I have this fear that I'm going to be the one "big person" in there and it would just be akward.  Also the thought of going into some sort of cardiac arrest on the floor too (that one is a joke-I have exercised before...felt like I was going to die, but really was not going to). 

What thoughts/suggestion are there?  Should I just bite the bullet and be the solo "big girl" in the gym? 

 This is totally a late reply, but I had to respond.  I was in your shoes a few weeks ago.  I have tried exercising at home, it just doesn't work.  I always find an excuse to not do it - the kids need me, I need to clean up something, the laundry needs to get folded.... you know the drill.  I bit the bullet in January and joined a local gym that was offering a membership deal.  I've almost always been the biggest person there, but I've seen a few other larger people a few times.  I just try to ignore everyone else and hope that the buff guys sitting at the desk aren't laughing at me after I check in each day.  I'm glad I did it though, I really feel like I get a good workout.  It is my escape each day and I'm able to focus on ME for the entire time - no kids begging for something, no husband wanting my attention, no work calling me to do something else.  its kinda nice! 

Digging this thread up one more time to show support for joining a gym regardless of your size. As a large 31yr old who was once a fit 19yr old let me offer you a perspective you might not have considered.

15 years ago I worked at a Gold's Gym. I spent lots of time behind the counter and, despite the few muscle-head morons out there, if you spend some time to chat with the people behind the counter you will generally find they're decent people. My boss at the time was a die-hard gym rat and when someone would make a comment about a really large person working out his comment would always be, "But they're here in the gym, working on it... and that's a lot more effort than most people give."

Now that I'm on the other side of the equation and just a member (a big one) of a gym, I never forget what he said. You shouldn't either!

Hey Guys,

I'm loving all the advice. I also used to feel weird going to the gym and was afraid of being the biggest girl there.  I don't think people at the gym are really thinking about others..I think it's just something we put on ourselves..and if they are I just like to think they are rooting for me too..GO GIRL! :)I don't mind giong to the gym so much now however there are tons of things you can do at home. I got the Wii Fit last year for Christmas and it is awesome!! Then a few months ago I got the Wii Active and it is sooooo fun and SUCH a great workout!!! If you are considering a gym membership that might be a great alternative..just buy a wii and that game. :) Also sometimes just dancing at home to your favorite songs can be a great workout! Make a playlist of 3 songs and there is 15 minutes of cardio! Also, I can't think of the women's name but she makes exercise videos for walking indoors, I've never tried them but I heard they are pretty good...just go to your local library before you spend the money...that way you can check them out and see if it's something you can enjoy doing! :)