What a difference a gym can make

[Whelan]

I've never been a gym person. For the longest time the only way I knew how to spell the word was J-I-M (lol). But when me and my buddy setup the Vegas trip I realized I had to make some changes before I headed out there. Namely shaping up and getting back into some of my clothes comfortably.I was not fat by any means. But since I quit smoking over 6 months ago I gained the 7-10. My eating habits didn't change, the no more nicotine slowed down my metabolism so processing was the issue.Well I am goin about a month on my current diet of granola bar in the morning, soup or salad for lunch and a regular dinner (i.e. steak and potatoes, pasta w/ bread). Add to that my recent introduction to a gym and an elliptical machine. So far I'm down 9lbs. and fitting into my old stuff again. Doing fat burn feels great and has really done a lot for my own personal feeling. I feel healthier, don't get tired as often, just an overall good feeling I guess. I try to go 5 days a week, and for now it is all the fat burn to get this nasty extra poundage off. Then after Vegas I will start putting in a rotating workout that my buddy uses to tone up. Maybe come June I can be shirtless with pride in the Outer Banks.If you don't think it's for you, trust me I was the worlds biggest antagonist of gyms, now I can't get enough. I don't consider myself the new years resolution member cause it wasn't for me. I went a few times under my buddies pass, then got my own membership and love it. It's better than sittin at home watchin TV all night, drop an hour at the gym and you feel amazing.

[BlueCrush]

Nice job! 9lbs in a month sounds like you doing something right. A Gym would be nice. Only problem is I would actually have to go there...

[Mrizzle05]

i HAVE a J.I.M. membership and dont go really at all... almost no time. and when i do... i dont wanna drive 15 min. to work out. i need a friend to go with or that inspiration and that "get your (removed) up" talk haha.i need to start goin cuz i dont really gain much weight it just shifts from muscle to fatty cells. until i try and switch back.but you seem to be on that right track... so keep up and do research on wat you wanna lose or trim and find wats best machine/gym wise for your needs

[Kamikaze]

I loved going to my Gym, I was actually feeling good about myself.. dropped almost 20 lbs. my TV consumption was nearly zero! it was great... then the baby came, I got a different job with different hours, and the 20lbs came back... b/c I no longer could get to the gym... and MAN I MISS IT.The times that I could go really cut into my limited family time b/c of the 2nd job and everything... If I quit my 2nd job I would definitely go to the gym... but you have to be able to afford to go, and that's partly what the 2nd job was for... I'll give it some time, and I'm sure I'll be back...I just started a new exercise routine using our eliptical yesterday... I really hate our eliptical, and would much rather have the full arsenal that is at the gym because I like to lift more than the cartio. but hopefully I can cut back a few pounds by the end of the month...

[Whelan]

That was the same issue I had. I just never felt like going. But now that I am paying for it so it's my cash being spent (and I'm a big follow the budget person) it makes it easier to go. The machines have personal TVs so I can watch some shows and it helps me keep on top of putting music on my ipod so I don't get a stale playlist. And with the itunes Genuis feature on the latest update, it recommends songs you dont have that are in the same genre.

[northvibe]

Yeah, not much of a gym person myself, but I do go to the work out room at my townhome place and do cardio. Recently I got the xc ski's out though and did that this weekend. As long as you get like 60min of cardio a day it helps a ton, but yeah eating right is another big part. Whelan check this out too:100 pushups - 6 week training 3 days a weekhttp://hundredpushups.com/I am on week 2 and my arms/shoulders are bulking back up And now 200 situps over 6 weekshttp://www.twohundredsitups.com/

[Whelan]

I will take a read on that one for sure. I wanted to drop the excess poundage before I did the weights with my buddy, he has a good program from a personal trainer to tone out. Not looking to get huge but in order to do that I wanna get the weights in after I drop the tonnage.

[northvibe]

hahah well not "bulking" I just mean they are getting back to my high school strength and size...working a office job makes you weak

[ClunkClunk]

I need to get off my (removed) and get to the J.I.M. as well. I have a reasonable one in our complex here, and during the week, it's usually deserted.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »Yeah, not much of a gym person myself, but I do go to the work out room at my townhome place and do cardio. Recently I got the xc ski's out though and did that this weekend. As long as you get like 60min of cardio a day it helps a ton, but yeah eating right is another big part. Whelan check this out too:100 pushups - 6 week training 3 days a weekhttp://hundredpushups.com/I am on week 2 and my arms/shoulders are bulking back up And now 200 situps over 6 weekshttp://www.twohundredsitups.com/Both of those look pretty cool! I'm have to check them out and sign up!

[AKLGT]

good for you! I start back up today (with a friend to see if I want to join). Was doing really well and then the holidays hit and kinda went back to my old self and eating habits. now, back on the horse again and re-lose the extra 5 or 6 lbs I gained back. Originally, lost about 12 lbs over 6 wks or so. back to getting healthy again! plus, I just feel better when I do.

[lovemyraffe]

Congrats! That is freakin awesome!

[djb383]

Confucius say - for breakfast one should eat like a king, for lunch one should eat like prince BUT for supper one should eat like a pauper.

[AKLGT]

yep, 3rd day back to the gym and I feel 100% better. more energy and less anxious. I think I'm gonna hit it up tomorrow too. I think I'm becoming addicted LOL

[northvibe]

yeah i fell off the "horse" when i hurt my shin running...so ive been lazy this past week but im back on tomorrow or monday. I usually try and snack on things during the day. Trail mix, nuts, fruit and veggies. then have a slightly bigger than snack lunch and keep semi snacking with lots of cold water. Keeps your metabolism up during the whole day and you never feel hungry just good the entire work day. I also think I may get a under desk pedal bike thing to keep up some cal burning.

[tribalman]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe ».working a office job makes you weak i don't need a gym membership. i play DDR and work at a shipping company. (removed).

[Blueridge9]

Whelan I'm so glad you found a good gym you enjoy. Yeah I've been trying to be on the elliptical daily first thing b4 work and the only way I can do it is to have some rocking music or music videos on to motivate me to go faster. After every 15 minute block of time I do some kickboxing for a couple minutes and then get back on the eliptical. I also got some heavy ankle weights and do some slower leg exercises, squats and crunches while watching TV after work. Thinking about food there's a book that was talking about how the portions in restaurants are too big and the average dinner plate has gone from 8 inches to 12 inches and it is making us all fatter - size matters.

[AKLGT]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »yeah i fell off the "horse" when i hurt my shin running...so ive been lazy this past week but im back on tomorrow or monday. I usually try and snack on things during the day. Trail mix, nuts, fruit and veggies. then have a slightly bigger than snack lunch and keep semi snacking with lots of cold water. Keeps your metabolism up during the whole day and you never feel hungry just good the entire work day. I also think I may get a under desk pedal bike thing to keep up some cal burning. I have a mini stair stepper for the kiosk and I just picked up one of those little pedal bike things. LOLwent to the gym again today (earlier so they wouldn't kick me out for closing). Got on the bike for 45 mins (watched the last CSI episode on my ipod) and then 30 mins on the weights and machines. Tomorrow is circuit training in the morning and will go back in the eve for some cardio and ab work out. My goal: drop my 12 lbs (or tone up) to fit in my wardrobe (which I haven't been able to in over a year). I figure 12 lbs should definitely put me there, but whatever works. Plus, I feel 100% better this last week, despite my fall on the ice last Monday.