Why does it have to be at a gym?

[Floridamom1970]

Originally Posted by Mr. Klato

Why not walk? It's low impact and free.

Because I have progressed past the point at which walking would be the best option. When I started going to the Y more than a year ago I was about 44 pounds heavier than I am right now so my progress has been slow enough even with doing a minimum of one hour of cardio and weights. I actually kind of like it that way because it means that I will not have to deal with a lot of excess skin hanging the way people who lose weight quickly do.

Walking is a pleasant enough activity but it is simply not enough to meet my current needs. I can "run" on the elliptical for an hour plus and be on my second wind and burn hundreds of calories. Switching to walking and depending on that for my exercise would impede my progress. My daughter is seventeen with Aspergers Syndrome and is overweight. I have been having her walk on the treadmill at the Y when I go for my own workouts per her doctors advice. He wants her to build up to two miles per day and she is trying ( and losing weight) but is not yet "loving exercising" the way I do.

Another thing is that I am very self consious and just do not like to exercise out in the open whereas at the Y (or probably any gym) everyone is pretty much focused on their own objectives. I have walked many a time when I did not have transportation so I do not mind that, but other than that I am just too self consious. Anyway I am really looking forward to doing the Your Shape game with the kinect as I am ready to change it up and spend more time at home in the evenings even if I am working out.

[Floridamom1970]

Originally Posted by aleecya

I love the gym, I live in an area that is a very nice but it gets really hot here. You have to pick early morning or in the evening where I live at. The gym I can go to any time of the day even at high noon and not die of heat stroke. I find that I can get a better range of exercise done in the gym vs doing my exercise outside. Running on pavement puts more stress on your joints over time vs the elliptical machine which relieves stress on your joints

Ditto what aleecya said. We had over 3 months of 100 plus degree temperatures this summer. Exercising outside would have been unbearable not to mention dangerous unless it was early morning (impossible for me) or after dark (just not desireable). We also get ice storms and blizzards here in Oklahoma.

[Ulysses61]

The vast majority of people (who aren't fanatically committed to fitness), get gym memberships and end up going a few times, then quit. Why? Because it's inconvenient. You have to get ready, get in the car, drive to a from the gym, etc.

For anyone who has the money, a home gym is the answer. I don't have kids so I have discretionary income and used it on a home gym, which I have never regretted.

[Floridamom1970]

Originally Posted by Ulysses61

The vast majority of people (who aren't fanatically committed to fitness), get gym memberships and end up going a few times, then quit. Why? Because it's inconvenient. You have to get ready, get in the car, drive to a from the gym, etc.

For anyone who has the money, a home gym is the answer. I don't have kids so I have discretionary income and used it on a home gym, which I have never regretted.

I must be fanatical then!

[Luckyd609]

Originally Posted by Floridamom1970

I must be fanatical then!

Me too!

Home gym would be nice but I bet I wouldn't use it like I use the gym. Plus I like being around other people doing the same thing. I enjoy talking to folks and getting to know them. The gym also makes me more competitive and keeps me focused on new goals.