So, my weigh in today. Still at 179.5. I was actually up last week [due to not being able to exercise, as well as eating above my calorie range], and I'm now back down to where I was two weeks ago. Not the best, but it could be worse. And this week's going to be better! My knee's better [although I'm still not sure about running on it], so I can exercise again! I actually went to the gym yesterday and got a workout in to make up a little for the rest of the week [although it didn't show up on the scale... it will, in a few days]. Which brings me to my other update.
I'm saying goodbye to Planet Fitness and have joined my local YMCA. There are a number of reasons for this, and it's a decision I'm happy with. I joined Planet Fitness a year ago, when I was unemployed and could just barely afford the $10/month. It helped me rehabilitate from my sprained ankle, and I started running again while I was there. But it's a very basic gym, and there are times when you just have to move on. This is one of those times. My Y offers so much more than Planet Fitness, and it's a mile closer to my house [which is a big deal when you're walking or biking to the gym]. It's also right down the street from the library, so it's super convenient to work out before work [I'm becoming a morning exerciser, try not to be too shocked!]. And, a quick rundown of everything my YMCA offers:
- pool [laps and open swim available, as well as LESSONS!]
- movie nights in the pool ["flick and float"!]
- standard gym equipment of ellipticals, treadmills, etc. [will check to see if they have a rowing machine]
- their weight room is separate from the cardio room which can be intimidating but I like it that way
- rock climbing wall
- spinning room
- sauna [as well as regular showers in the locker room]
- running club [I could be part of TWO! Doubles my chances of actually attending!]
- racquetball and basketball courts
- classes include: aikido, kickboxing, aqua fit [aerobics AND strength training. SO EXCITED FOR THIS ONE], women-only weights [going to take this too], spinning, yoga, zumba, and a super-intense p90x-esque thing that i want to do once I get my strength training back to where it should be. And a few others that I’m forgetting.
- [plus you can rent lockers for the entire month so I don’t have to haul my shampoo, etc. back and forth]
- oh and they have separate gyms and locker rooms for adults, teens, and children. I don’t even have to deal with teenagers!
Whereas Planet Fitness had:
- standard cardio equipment [ellipticals, treadmills, and stationary bikes. that’s all]
- standard weight machines and free weights
- all in the same room
- that’s it
- oh and a locker room and showers [but you couldn’t rent lockers]
See what I'm getting at? Yesterday morning I got there for about 8:15 and the pool was almost entirely empty [just two people in it], probably because it was a perfect beach day, but I'm not complaining. I did about 15 minutes of swimming, re-discovered that I am terrible at swimming laps, and decided to make "improve my swimming" my goal for the summer. So I'm really excited! Then I went up to the cardio room and did the elliptical and treadmill [no running, just incline work] before showering and heading home. And then taking a spontaneous 2 hour nap because swimming really tires me out.
So, my super-optimistic-getting-out-of-bed-early schedule looks something like this:
Monday: lap swim 8-8:30ish, women with weights 9-10am
Tuesday: kickboxing 6:30-7:30pm
Wednesday: aqua fit 9-10am
Friday: aqua fit 9-10am
In addition, they have a weight loss contest starting in a few weeks that I'm considering.
I don't really care about the contest aspect of it, but the accountability? And all that personal training? Yes, please! The personal training alone is worth $600. I've always wanted a personal trainer but they're expensive, so I've never had one. $200 is still nothing to sneeze at [that phrase makes no sense], but it's more manageable than $600. And it's part of a whole program that will keep me on track. And weekly fitness challenges! Okay, I just saw that [after contemplating this for the last 24 hours] and now I'm sold.
So, I will almost definitely be doing this come July 15th. Almost definitely because I still want to go to the informational meeting and make sure it'll be what I'm expecting, but it looks great so far.
Have I mentioned that I love my new gym?
