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[Lady_J_2008]

They are building a new LA Fitness in my area and we can get a pretty good deal.  They will have new equipment, pool, sauna, whirlpool, cardio equipment, weights and weight equipment, basketball courts, racquetball courts and lots of classes that are included in the membership.  It has been a long time since I was a member of a gym; like 20 years.  Back then it was a meat market and I was definitely not one for the pickup.  Does anyone have any suggestions on what to look for when considering joining a gym.  They also have personal trainers available (that will be an extra fee).  I would love some feedback.  So far I have been riding my bike for exercise exclusively (even in the garage when weather was bad) and I am trying to get ready for a long ride this fall, so I definitely need to do some cross training.  Thanks everyone....

[Seht]

First of all the best exercise or gym is the one that you will keep going to and keep doing.  Congrats on considering it and on training for your long bike ride.

Just a word or two of warning on the personal trainers at the gym.

Most of them will just try to upsell you.  Get you to buy more training etc.  They are also notorious for not understanding what surgery you have had and what your nutrition restrictions and requirements are.  They will tell you you need to change xyz don't listen.

I recommend you treat them just like a job interview.  As for references talk to others who use a trainer and see what they have to say.

Get a free trial at the gym, go during the hours that you plan to attend and see what the volume is like in there.  Are there open machines, or will you have to wait for your turn on a machine.

When are the classes going to be available.  It doesn't do you a lot of good if the classes are during your work hours or family hours or at an inconvenient time.  I experienced this with the YMCA, they had a ton of classes, but almost nothing during my available hours and when I could make it to the class they were overfull.

[Jen Hills]

There is an LA Fitness by me and I absolutely love it!!

I love water areobics and it is really great! The machines are fantastic and it's just a great gym. 

I love it!  The trick is to get my butt there and not make excuses!! 

[baka]

Lady_J_2008 I see training for a Sprint Triathlon in your future!

Muhahahaha come to the darkside and join us   

Scott gave you some awesome advise imho

Good luck

Ian

[Seht]

Sprint Triathlons are an awesome way to introduce yourself to training.

It's funny but they list something that can take you an hour as a sprint.

The shortest one I have done was:
200 yard swim
6 mile bike ride
2 mile run

If you break that down, you are probably looking at
8-12 minutes of swimming
24-34 minutes of bike riding
16-26 minutes of running

Maybe shorter, maybe longer depending on how fast you are.
But remember the first time you do one, it's a record.
If you like it then you can compete against yourself.
You never have to compete against other athletes, it's all about improving yourself.

It also makes those hours on the treadmill or stationary bike have a purpose.  It's helps to get through the boredom if you have a goal for it.

[Lady_J_2008]

Thanks.... good advice and I will definitely follow your suggestions. 

Triathalon?!  Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!  I have maintained that I cannot run, even if I was being chased by a hungry bear, armed with an ak47 with a taste for the sweet meat.  I can bike for hours and even walk.  I used to swim as a kid, so I can probably still get through the water.  But run?!  I don't see it happening...  I am scared that I would die.  My heart would explode and I would die.   You guys are way beyond me. 

I am training to ride in the Hilly Hundred here in Indiana - it is a 2 day (50 miles each day) ride in the hilly portion of southern Indiana; something I never would have even considered before my weight loss.  Planning for this ride has really kept me motivated this year and helped me to keep reaching for my goal weight - 15 lbs to go.  If I survive the ride, I plan to work on another one next year. 

[Seht]

Unless you have a physical injury or a medical reason why you can't run, you can do it.
You are only limited by what you allow yourself to do.  So unless there is an injury or other medical reason, (i'm going to be mean) stop thinking like a fat person.  That person who thinks they can't run, doesn't exist any more.  You have surgically altered your body so that you can be and live a healthy life style.  Nobody is saying you have to go out and run a marathon your first time.  I have seen lots of people walking during triathlons and other races.  What it is, is a starting point.  You have to begin that journey somewhere.  Stop telling yourself you can't.
Check out the couch25k program http://www.c25k.com/ give yourself a chance before you discount your abilities.
So what if you have to start out walking or you can only job for 10 seconds.  Next time you jog for 11 seconds.  You are trying and every day is a success because you tried.

Good luck,

Remember you can do it and everyone here thinks you can too.

Scott

[trimoon]

One more word of caution about personal trainers.... sometimes they are nothing more than glorified gym rats.  Since they work out all the time, the gym asks them to become "personal trainers".  Please make sure you check the education and credentials before deciding on someone. 

[Indykitty]

Once my pinched nerve is under control my husband wants to join the gym at the mall (Washington Square) because unlike Gold's who does indeed have a committment and a catch, it is month by month with no contract. The trainer there has trained bodybuilding competitors and seems to be pretty down to earth, but it's no frills, just free weights and machines. I'd love Golds because they have the pool, but I hate the false advertising.  It ticks me off.   

[Lady_J_2008]

Thanks everyone...

Indykitty - awesome pic.  You look great! 

You are right about thinking like a fat person Seht (Scott).  I don't have an injury that would prevent me from running; just my damaged brain that would never consider me to be a runner or athelete of any kind for that matter.  I will give it some thought... maybe I could run for 10 seconds.  Maybe...   

[Seht]

Lady_J that's a start.
And remember what you consider running and what Olympic athletes consider running don't have to be the same thing.

I am incredibly slow.  I just keep shuffling along.  I consider a run/jog as anything that is faster than I can walk.
You don't have to be a speed demon, you just have to keep picking them up and putting them down.

I always hated running, I still don't think of it as a favorite, but it is the best exercise I do for weight loss and maintenance.

Give an interval training routine a try. 
You can do it by time or distance.  Run from one telephone pole or light post to the next, then walk 1 or 2 of them.  Then run again.
Or you do it for time run for 10 seconds, walk for 20 seconds rinse and repeat.  Do the intervals for 20 minutes  Do that for 3 days one week.  Then the next week make it harder, run for 10 seconds and only walk for 10 seconds.
Just keep repeating that weekly increase/decrease until you are running for 20 minutes.  The next week run for 20 second and walk for 20 seconds.  See make it gradual, give yourself the opportunity to be successful.

I absolutely believe that you can do it.  If you can ride your bike up and down hills for 50-100 miles, you can jog/run for 20-30-60 minutes.  Don't limit yourself.  Believe that you can do it.

When you successfully finish that 100 mile bike ride, challenge yourself again.  Set a goal of running 1 mile.
So what if it takes you 12 weeks or more to get there.  Who cares if your run is so slow that some times it feels like the snails and turtles are mocking you.  You are out there doing it.

I'm so slow when I run that I had a t-shirt made it says Team F.A.S.T.  (Fat, Aging, Slow, Triathlete) It has a picture of a turtle with the Ironman symbol on it's shell

[It's A Whole New Life]

This is incredibly helpful to me, thank you for saying all this.  I've been "running" in little sprints on the treadmill - it's shocking how my body *wants* to do it.  But it's a slow, plodding kind of thing and I know many people could probably walk faster than that, and so I haven't been giving myself very much credit for it.

But you're freakin' right - if it's not walking, it's running! Who cares how slow it is???

I avoided it for so long because I was afraid I'd hurt my knees, and had this mindset that "I can never run again" (I used to when I was younger), and so it's delightful to find that I CAN.  And now, thanks to you, I can call it running and take full credit for it!!!

[Indykitty]

Thanks LadyJ! 

[baka]

Lady_J I've always hated running with a passion  but I'm doing the C25k so I can complete one of my WLS Bucket List items:

Complete a Sprint Triathlon

Listen to the wonderful advice Scott gave

You can do this!

Ian

[MacMadame]

I used to think I couldn't run. I tried jogging in the 80s a couple of times when I wasn't even obese and I failed miserably.

But that Couch to 5K program that Scott mentioned is fantastic. I just plodded through it at my own pace (took me 12 weeks to do the 9 week program) and, at the end, I was a runner!

Now running is the part of the triathlon where I *make up time* on my competitors! (Okay, it was before I got injured. But it will be again, I'm sure of  it.)

[Lady_J_2008]

Talk about finally doing it.  I joined a gym today.  I meet with a personal trainer on Thursday morning.  I have tried a little running.  I am up to 5 minutes at a time which is HUGE for me.  I am still riding my bike for at least an hour at a time, and two hours per session on the weekend. 

It is football season so I feel like I had better kick it up a notch since the guys are out there on the field.   

[baka]

Awesome!

Ian

[Maddie]

It's great you joined a gym.  And running for 5 minutes, is AWESOME.  WTG!

[Lady_J_2008]

Thanks everyone.  I met with the trainer today for the first time and he was really great.  He gave me some things to think about going forward and that was helpful.  The gym is brand new so all of the equipment is new, the locker room has a sauna; there is a whirlpool and pool (not quite ready to be seen in public in a swimsuit but maybe someday) and so much gear it is overwhelming.  Maybe someday I will be considered a gym rat!     I also picked up a couple of those exercise magazines to get some ideas; since I am spending the money every month - I am going to get my money's worth and shed the last 13 lbs to get to my goal.  I am taking the fat fight to the next level. 

[Indykitty]

That sounds awesome.  I am thinking about doing the same, but not sure how with the money situation with my DH being unemployed and going to night school, but that Gold's gym is so close to my house... and I need some extra motivation.  I've still got almost 40 pounds to lose to get to goal.  Keep us up to date on your progress LadyJ.   

[MacMadame]

What about Planet Fitness? Their dues are 10 a month and no initiation fee.

[Indykitty]

I don't think we have them in Indy, but I'll be looking it up.  That's a heck of a good deal.   

[Lady_J_2008]

Hey Indy Kitty,

It sounds like you are doing well with your progress.  I survived the session with the personal trainer but I am paying the price today.  Oh how it hurts.  It's more of a deep throbbing pain that feels like it is going to last for days.  I thought I had made great progress with all of my bike riding but I was woefully wrong.  Oh me... oh my. 

[Maddie]

Awww, feel better.  ((((gentle hugs))))

[Lady_J_2008]

Went to the new gym again this morning, I took Sunday off but I have been going 6 days a week and working different things as well as getting in some cardio when I'm not riding my bike.  I used a new machine today.  It was basically a step machine with lots of bells and whistles.  I used it for 20 mins and it said that I had climbed 70 flights of stairs.  Not a bad start and it definitely made me work up a sweat.  Tomorrow morning it is back to spin class.