That Paper From THe Gym

aprilgicker

I Posted this in my blog but thought it might help more here. :grumble:

It has happened again. Another gym counselor has handed out that motivation killer in the form of a consultation. If you have been to different gyms through out the course of your life, you know exactly what I mean. And if not, Here is the a little description.

After having a "I need to lose weight moment," I immediately went to the gym and signed up. This place boasts the best in fitness, child care, pool, classes, you name it they will get it. But to get the best help on the floor, for all that equipment, they ask that you take their fitness assessment. Okay! I need to know were to start so this sounds like the best plan of attack.

After scheduling the assessment I have to fill out a form that asks all kinds of questions, from age to last exercised, allergies to pregnancy. It goes as in depth as a doctor's yes/no list. The day of the assessment I am ready go. I answer questions like what is your gym knowledge, how many times do you want to be here. I explain my history with gyms, which matches most everyone's "here and there" pursuit to be healthy. I tell her I want to be here as many day they are open especially since I can be kid free for 2 hours. I am ready to go!

Next my measurements are taken, 200lbs, everything is over sized and fat coated. These numbers she takes to her computer and out pops a few sheets of paper. "WOW!" I am thinking, this is the stuff that will keep me busy for 6 days a week for 2 hours each day. I am amped, listening intently to her explain the pieces of motivational Mana. The first is my weight and measurements with an explanation of how they take them and why. The next sheet is has my measurements on it but in percents with a goal. Finally, is the workouts for the next 8 weeks of my life.

But wait there is more, I get a one on one explanation of what I will see and be doing for these 8 weeks. "So," she says while grabbing a file out of her drawer, "I don't want you to weigh yourself for these eight weeks." Ummm? What! I am thinking, why 8 and not 4. She tells me all the typical stuff about not losing weight when you first start out, the whole muscle weighs more thing. I know this, but 8 weeks! Next in her arsenal of bombs is "I want you to eat 1600 cals a day." Granted I have been eating well over my 1800-2000 federally recommended amount for awhile now. So, 1600 is well under. "I want you to do it in six small meals a day." Did she her the part about the 3 small kids I have? "Get some protein bars," she states after my deer in the headlights stare down. Finally, she brakes out the file she has layed on her desk. She explains to me that this file is of someone who wasn't over weight but wanted to trim up for bikini season and by following the previous directions I can be just as successful. What a story! I haven't looked forward to bikini season in 6 years, when I say this I mean I am one thought from wearing some jeans to the beach. Not some 128lb chick who already looks hot but wants to make sure she doesn't gain wait on vacation. WHAT MOTIVATION!

So off I go, to lose my hard earned pounds. I start on cardio, with the mill set on fast as I can walk/ some incline, I do this for 45min. Oh my! Good thing I am moving to the weights at least I can sit. Which is what I did. I did 9 exercises on machines that I had to try real hard from slinging the weight because they were too light. This is because the nice floor person has set everything to the lowest weight possible. I did ask for more weight but was told l should work up to a heavier weight. Ummm OK?

So that rounded out my first day. It took 1 hour. So much for 2 hours being kid free. I sit at the coffee table and read over my path to sexpot in a year. I read the goal page and the measurement page then I get to the workouts for weeks 1-4. Carefully hidden, is the schedule of M/W/F, each group of exercises gets 1 day a week. I do cardio other than warm-ups T/TH. I left feeling good that I exercised. Yet what I had wanted was for that counselor to take me seriously and give me a workout for ME, not the liability free version. This has happen to me 3 times. I have tried to lose weight seriously enough to go to a gym counselor 3 times and each time I leave feeling like I have been taken for a ride. But what is different this time is I decided that a trainer was need for my goal to be met in a timely fashion.

If this has happened to you? Go get a trainer. There are tons of new physical fitness folks who would be glad to help for low fees. Talk with them and see if they understand your goals and needs. Don't let that paper hold you back.

arewethereyet

Use the information along with your own knowledge and kick some azz. I had a trainer and she explained that over training can be bad, but changing it up can be great.

She gave me work outs for 1 week which were weights m/w/f and cardio 5 days. On weight days do the weights first, then 40-60 min moderate cardio. On non weight days 60 minutes change up. Meaning-30 tread mill, 20 bike, 20 stairthingy.

YOU need to be your inspiration, not a trainer, or a pamplet or a 128 lb girl in a bikini. Your HEALTH is the #1 key in all of this.

Good luck in your pursuit of happiness, health and bikini season!

sbilyeu75

I had the same thing when I started. It was a waste of my time to get the assessment. I got the best information from bodybuilding.com on beginner workouts.

Amarillo_NDN

The 6 meals a day has been proven to help metabolism work well. The V.A. teaches that as well, and I do it myself. As for not weighing for 8 weeks, they do have a point, Scales are one of the biggest things that cause people to give up, because they do not see that instant drop they expect.

I know how hard it is to do everything you want with children, raised six children myself, not to mention the 10 grandkids. *grin*

Over time, you will find the things that help you. As for the gym, nothing says you have to go to a gym to get healthy. Take that money you would have spent on a gym and get yourself a Wii + Not only is it good for you, but great for the kids to exercise and have fun as well. Walk with and/or push your kids on walks at the park. Chase them in circles around the playground. Anything that is an active activity.

As for strength training, all you need is a door way and a piece of Rope. (Isometric exercise)

vkpmusic

Thank goodness I never had that or I'd never go back! My first experience in a gym they set me up with "1 free trainer session". This person asked about my health and goals and then took me around to the machines. He explained cardio every day....legs on weights one day upper body the next. He then took me through all the weight machines and both showed me how to use them and set the weights. Some were higher than others and he told me they should be light enough that I was tired by the last rep but not the first on each. He explained how /when to increase reps and weight. It was great. The YMCA had a health fair where the local hospital had set up booths and you could get cholesterol, body fat, bone density...all sorts of stuff checked. They had orthopedic drs there and primaries to answer questions.

THAT is the difference btwn a good gym and a great one. For the record...that gym was Powerhouse and it is still the best one I've ever belonged to. Unfortunately, I moved. But I like the Y as well. Good for you for listening to your body and finding someone who would listen to you!

ifychudy

BUMP to read later

aprilgicker

Thanks for your response!