[...] in early April, when I was a mere novice about the ways of the gym, I had my first ever session with a personal [...]

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School gym! Mandatory fee and the building next to the dormhouse…so I haveta use it! :)

Glad to hear you’re taking the plunge. Exercise is very important from a health and life perspective.

[...] life shows sam some love 3 04 2008 A SHOUT OUT TO THE GUPPIE LIFE and A.J., for the mention today. You’re gonna make this old man [...]

Hey. It sounds like you’ve done your homework and picked the best place for you. You’ve been frugal (best value for the money) and rational (close location to encourage use). I’m not sure that guilt is a proper motivator, though. If you miss a few sessions, and therefore waste a few bucks, you’ll feel even more guilty, much like dieters do when they hit the fridge at midnight. It’s also nice that you seem to know yourself enough to know that regular outdoorsy fitness activities may not do it for you.

But note that you have expended a lot of time and effort so far without any results, fitness-wise. You’ve also likely used this gym selection process as an excuse for not doing any fitness-related activity. Did you go jogging in the park a few times in the interim? Hmmm. Kinda like the dieter waiting until after the Christmas season to start dieting.

And therein lies the problem most of us have when it comes to fitness. We never seem to be satisfied that we know enough or are prepared enough to start, or that conditions are not right. Preparation is in-fact often just procrastination, no matter how rational it may seem.

You might be thinking by now I’m just being negative about your efforts. After-all you have made your decision and you are ready to go. But that same mindset will follow you into the gym. Next will be “I need to do more (get a personal trainer), buy more (gym clothes, designer watter bottle, supplements), learn more (how to use those weight machines, how to do group exercise)”.

Instead, follow the classic Nike slogan, “Just Do It!”. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use a personal trainer or buy that stylish tight tank top eventually (in case there really is a hot trainer there), but don’t use those as excuses to avoid a full-tilt workout from day-one.

The fact is that most people already know more than enough about how to become and stay fit. What stops many of us is too much information! The news media and advertising (even the fitness industry itself) make it sound so unnecesarily complicated. It really is very simple: Use your muscles to work up a sweat regularly, eat sensibly, and get enough sleep. So, have the self-confidence to jump right in there. Just use that common sense you have to avoid overdoing it right away and start working out.

Learn as you go along. Don’t wait for a paid session. Ask others to give you tips as you work. Or sign up for a group exercise class (No, they are not just for women), they are the best way to a healthy heart and a thinner waistline.

And remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. It’ll take time to see results. Stay away from the mirrors (unless you already love the way you look) and weigh scales (unless you are satisfied with your weight).

Find out what you enjoy most – other than the sauna – and stick with it. It can take months to develop a healthy habit. So schedule your workouts like you do important regular meetings.

And finally, gyms are social places. Make a few aquaintences. If you can find a workout buddy or two, you’ll enjoy it much more. And if you enjoy it, it’ll become a lifestyle rather than a chore.

Have fun!
Bruce
“It’s gotta be fun, or it’s just exercise.”

I’m a commitment-phobe when it comes to gyms…so I can’t do the one year contract thing. I’ve always used the Y since they do a sliding income scale for people who make less than 60K down here (um, hello, all college graduates?) So that plus lots of branches plus good clean Christian values (hahahaha) equals a win for me.

Thanks for the shout out. Sounds like you are off to a great start!
the super hot gay personal trainer,
-Sam