Stressed already :(

Maybe the gym isn't for you. There is plenty you can do at home.

It shouldn't stress you, if time and money are an issue there are plenty of free videos online. Try fitnessblender.com it is free and has tons of different workouts for a person's fitness level/taste etc. Maybe do that first, it is free so it can't hurt, and if you still think that you need to join a gym afterwards then go from there.

Also look at the expected calorie burn for that hour in the gym. If I could run (jog) at a 5 mph pace for 15 minutes, I would lose .. 150 calories. At this point, I probably can't sustain that kind of a pace for a minute, much less 15.

And look at the options you do have. Do you have a Wii? Can you get one for the same cost as the gym membership? Would you use it? Do you have ready access to YouTube or to workout videos? Would you work out to them?

The primary advantage of the gym is that having spent $50 a month (or whatever yours costs), you have some incentive to go. You also have a lot of equipment available. But - is there a jogging path where you live? Can you do jump rope in the back yard?

There are a number of options with a comparable or greater payoff, if you don't need that financial accountability.

It really sounds like it's just not a good idea for you right now. That doesn't mean it won't be in the future, but for now do what some of the others have suggested – there are so many great, free resources on the internet. There are videos, workout plans, etc. Personally I love body weight exercise, which gets your heart rate up and is great for strength, too. Walking is also a favorite – it's great exercise and you can take it easy or push yourself!

Work out with videos in the winter and go outside in the nice months. No need for a gym.

Weigh loss is dependent on a calorie deficient - exercise isn't required. How about starting out controlling your intake, then take steps to exercise? You don't have to do it all at the same time.

I don't care for working out at a gym for similar reasons. I love working out at home. So much easier.

I agree with others, don't spend money on a gym if you are this stressed before even going. A gym is not required for health or fitness. Stress is not healthy.

Once I started thinking of it as something that was non negotiable in my day, as in, "I was late for the gym, now I'm going to be late for work," not "I was late for the gym, guess I"m going to miss it," I noticed it suddenly fit in really easily. It was when I was treating it as a sort of schedule pressure relief valve that it seemed hard to "get in" because I was still thinking of it as something to "get in" not just an immutable fact of my life.

I can't do a gym; I run late getting to my living room, every morning. I'm a big fan of previewing videos on youtube, then buying them on half.com. I myself personally would use the gym membership money to save up for something super awesome like: http://www.amazon.com/Bowflex-SelectTech-Adjustable-Dumbbells-Pair/dp/B00O89FXF6

I'm trying to have a good year in hopes that santa will bring me some of those for christmas.

Watch craigslist for equipment instead. My husband and I bought a bike, brand new that just sat in someone's house being a clothes hanger CHEAP! People will be giving up on their new years resolutions soon so watch for some. We bought a weight bench and weights for less than 100 too. You can find lots that way and then you can exercise at your convenience.

If it is going to be a financial stress then no - you will just feel guilty about the money every time you don't go, and resent it when you are there. Can you find a cheaper gym, or a pay as you go? My gym is £15 a month - no pool but everything I need, and I don't feel guilty about spending that if I don't get there much some weeks. Is it a long contract, or can you cancel easily if its not working for you? I have had a couple of short term memberships at places with pools, and me and hubby have accepted it will be crazy for a couple of weeks while I go out most nights to swim, but it is a limited time so we can deal with it.
You can always find ways to find the time if its really important to you, but if you feel you SHOULD but don't want to you will resent it, so save the money and find other ways to exercise.
For time saving, as others have suggested crockpots are great. We batch cook and freeze a couple of times a month, so on busy nights we just have to heat up.

good luck whatever you decide!

The gym is my happy place so if it stresses you out don't sign up. You are less likely to want to go. Try looking on Pintrest or online for some workouts to do at home. You can check some thrift shops for weights or sporting goods stores for sales in your area and do body weight exercises. Our cable company even has a fitness channel on demand that can give you some workouts as well for free.

kroff2003 wrote: »

Watch craigslist for equipment instead. My husband and I bought a bike, brand new that just sat in someone's house being a clothes hanger CHEAP! People will be giving up on their new years resolutions soon so watch for some. We bought a weight bench and weights for less than 100 too. You can find lots that way and then you can exercise at your convenience.

so much this! I had totally forgotten about the "after christmas sales." hahahaha!