The Gym

In a previous post, I talked about losing weight using the Naturally Slim program. With that program, my wife and I lost a lot of weight. We maintained the way of life for a good while but when the holidays hit, we slipped. Months passed and we were not maintaining our weight and certainly not losing any. Instead of revisiting the Naturally Slim principles and applying them we thought it would be better to get in shape. It was the end of June and we were eating a light lunch at a sandwich shop. Behind me, but in front of my wife, Amy, there was a gym. I was thinking it would be nice to exercise instead of sitting in front of a computer all day. Before I could say anything, Amy asked what I thought about going to the gym. I told her I was just thinking about it and we decided we would go see how much it was going to cost.

We walked in and asked how much a membership cost. They showed us around and provided us with the different plans including the plans for personal trainers. We thought it would be a good idea to have a personal trainer to learn how to use the equipment and what exercises were good for our goals. Amy and I talked it over, including how we would be able to make time for it, and picked a plan with a personal trainer once a week for both of us. The rest of the week we would exercise together. After signing everything, we were scheduled for a fitness assessment the next day.

We went and bought some workout shorts and shirts and some new shoes. Later we even bought those watch-like bands that tell your heart rate and how many calories you have burned. I don't use mine because it never tells me my heartbeat. If you sweat, and of course you will, those devices are not very good. It was a waste of money in my opinion. Amy uses hers and has troubles with it from time to time but is patient enough to deal with it. The next day we walk up in there all shiny and new looking like newbies. We didn't care, we knew we were and we knew it wouldn't be long until the new wore off. They calculated our body fat and determined where our heart rate should be to lose fat. Then they put us on a treadmill and talked with us while we walked and ran getting our heart beats to the proper rate.

The number one reason a person joins a gym and never goes back is because their muscles ache horribly after a strenuous workout. I can't remember if the members at the gym told us to get a lot of protein or if Amy already knew but we ended up getting some protein milk shakes to use after our workout. This kept us from hurting horribly the next day. To save money, and after a week or so in the gym, we decided to buy the powder that you mix with water and whatever else you can find to hide the taste of the powder. We mix frozen strawberries and pineapples and that makes a very tasty after-workout shake. Get your protein (about 25 grams plus the protein you get in your daily meals) and your muscles will not hurt. You will notice they have been used but they will not cripple you. With your muscles in good shape, you will not have an excuse not to go back regularly.

My wife is... how should I say this. No, not crazy. She is obsessive on things and this happened to be one of those things. I'm pretty sure it was because of how much it cost. She was determined to get her money's worth. I was thinking we would go three times a week. That seemed like a good plan. That way we could rest our muscles a day in between our workout days. Nope. We went every day. Never missed one day the first month. This is not what I signed up for but I sure wasn't going to let her go by herself with all those guys working out in there. It was a no win situation. I would have to try to keep up with her.

Really it wasn't that bad and I found myself enjoying the workouts. Once a week we would work out with our personal trainer and get pointers on what to do for the rest of the week. Once we got a feel for how everything worked, Amy started checking out the internet for workout plans and came up with a plan for working out each of the muscle groups on different days. We still have several months of personal training but really she is our personal trainer. Once our year is up, we will not have to renew the personal trainer plan. That will save us some money and maybe we can afford to add the kids to the membership.

We really lost the weight we had gained after the holidays. My muscles (I didn't even know I had any) started showing up and Amy pointed them out. I couldn't believe it. She got muscle definition as well and looks great. Amy started school not too long ago and we had to lessen our days at the gym (I hated that, not). While we were working out every day I was eating anything I wanted (including the sugar stuff I was supposed to stay away from). When we slowed down, that caught up with me and I gained weight. We need to revisit the Naturally Slim principles and follow them. Stop eating sugar for three weeks to detox and then eat smaller portions. Workout when we can and we will be able to lose the weight we have gained.

The gym we are in has free boot camps periodically and Zumba classes that Amy and I both attend regularly. There are no guys in the Zumba classes normally but I go anyway because I can actually dance and like doing it. I try to follow the instructors but I usually end up doing my own thing. There is a basketball court and I try to play each time we go to the gym but ever since the holidays, all of the new year's resolution people are in the way. Not to mention it is basketball season and there are always a ton of players in the court. I'm looking forward to fewer people in the gym like it was before the holidays.

Going to the gym and using the Naturally Slim principles are good ways to lose weight and keep it off. If you slip like we have, it is not too hard to get back on track. Remember to get your protein in when lifting weights or working on your core. If you can't afford a personal trainer look on the internet for exercises that will help you achieve your goals. Get out and play! It is good for the heart and the mind. Relieves stress, makes you happy, and makes you feel good about yourself!