Cancelling my gym membership

I cancelled my membership and a week later called them back. I find going in the morning before work helps so I don't hate the idea of going after. I also walk every day at home. I still do during the winter. I bundle up and go! South Dakota sucks in the winter but no reason I can't get out for 20 minutes or more. I also use you tube to get work out ideas at home. Best part is its free! I have weights up to 25lbs, bands, and a few extra free weights. Maybe check eBay or Walmart for workout DVD's. If you have stairs at home you can add in running up and down. I add that in to my home workouts between sets. Keeps my heart rate going. However I still love the gym! It's the only "me" time I get from my house and kids.

I have found I love exercising outside! I could go to the gym, but the "family" room is a joke and I'm not arranging babysitting for every workout. I do a 30 min. DVD 3 days a week and I take my kids to the track 3 days a week. They play in the field while I run with the baby in the stroller. I also walk or ride my bike, kids in tow, as many places as possible. We all enjoy it and my kids have a great time participating with me.

You do what is right for you! If you're into walking, try Leslie Sansone DVDs on rainy days. Amazon has them or EBay may be even cheaper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_ESeEZD_OY

reminds me of friends. hahahaha.

Go and buy Jillian Michaels "30 day shred" at Target which will be about $9. This is a GREAT way to get a fantastic workout in as it is circuit training and helps to burn fat and build muscle. The BEST part is that it is a 20 minute workout where you have the potential to burn big!! This workout will burn more than HOURS at the gym. When you log it under exercise journal use "circuit training"

If it's hard to start just HANG IN THERE! It will get easier, and don't worry about doing it EVERYDAY... just think of it as a great workout at home that you can do quickly and effectively.

If you don't have weights just use books

good luck!

Hey,

I know where you are coming from...you have to find what works for you!

I love my new gym...its like a resort. I now look at working out as a time of relaxation vs.a chore. But w/ a indoor/outdoor pool, steam and sauna...that helps! Maybe change gym that offers things you like. I even got into yoga and pilates and take an occassional Zumba.

I also just invested in a 10 lb Kettle bell and found cool Youtube free videos, also hulu.com has online free workouts! Jullian Michaels(Biggest loser trainer)-found a $4 circuit DVD at Marshalls. Also bought new 5lb dumbells and some 1lb arm/leg weights, yoga matt too. So when I cant get to the gym I can workout at home. I just like variety and the days I cant make it to the gym, I can get a quik workout in and burn 150-200 cals.

Find what works for you; within your budget! Remember, this is a lifestyle change, but have fun doing it!

As my favorite Personal Trainer says: THE WORLD IS YOUR GYM!! *He works all of his clients oudoors! check it out! http://www.hulu.com/search?query=Operation+Osmin&st=0&fs=null

Happy Journey!

I cancelled my membership and a week later called them back. I find going in the morning before work helps so I don't hate the idea of going after. I also walk every day at home. I still do during the winter. I bundle up and go! South Dakota sucks in the winter but no reason I can't get out for 20 minutes or more. I also use you tube to get work out ideas at home. Best part is its free! I have weights up to 25lbs, bands, and a few extra free weights. Maybe check eBay or Walmart for workout DVD's. If you have stairs at home you can add in running up and down. I add that in to my home workouts between sets. Keeps my heart rate going. However I still love the gym! It's the only "me" time I get from my house and kids.

You're totally my hero for two reasons:

1. You're an early riser. I always admire people who have the ability to wake up early enough to work out before they start their day. Although, I'm not particularly fond of living in the same household as an early riser. LOL

2. I love your attitude about not letting harsh weather stop you from doing what needs to be done. :flowerforyou:

I have joined far too many gyms over the years so I don't do that anymore. I started running.. (with couch to 5k) and also bike and go for walks etc. I'm also doing short burst workouts in my living room and you can find lots of good workout routines stuff on the internet.

I gotta say I've been way more consistent in my workouts this way than I ever was when I was trying to be a diligent gym girl.

Do you have a YMCA near you?
I work for a program affiliated with the Y. They recently implemented a program called "Open Doors". Anyone can go in and apply for assistance with gym membership based on their income vs. expenses. They will adjust your fees based on your situation. If they number that they come up with still isn't in your budget, you just tell that that! They will set up an interview with you and come to an agreement on the membership cost (or lack thereof). The Y is great! There are people of all ages, shapes, and fitness levels, all the fitness classes are free, they have nice/new equipment, and most locations have olympic sized pools!

i suggest zumba. great workouts, many dvds, and sweat buckets every time i do it.

Get workout DVDs or do zumba classes or the games for Wii.

Personally, I can't afford NOT to have a gym membership. I have a very basic gym, so it's only about $12 a month. When financial concerns arise I make cuts to other areas of my budget first in order to keep my gym membership. My health and fitness are a priority for me, but I still need to be motivated. I'm a total cheapskate, so knowing I paid for it FORCES me to go and use it. Even if I don't feel like going at first, once I get there I usually have a great time. I do weights and I run at the gym. I still do my long runs on trails outdoors, but I do short runs at the gym on weight training days. But just because I need a bit of extra motivation doesn't mean YOU do. There's no reason you can't be fit without a gym. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

I second checking with the Open Doors program at the YMCA. Two years ago we couldn't afford the 88 bucks or so a month for the family plan and based on our income we ended up paying a WHOLE lot less.

Yes...I am...I really can't afford this anymore. Yes, it's only 30 bucks per month, but I'm so freaking broke. Plus I just bought a new car so now I have those payments to make! I'm wasting my money...I NEVER go to the gym. I HATE IT. The gym just makes me irritable, doesn't make me feel good, and I dread it all day before I go, and everyday...\

My alternative exercise is walking at a fast pace at the park. I burn about the same amount of calories walking, as I would in an hour of torture at the gym...It just works better for me. I just don't know what I will do in the winter or when it's too hot outside though. lol Any suggestions?

i just bought an elliptical trainer on sale - its coming on the 29th, so i can use it on days when i cant go walking, i too was fed up paying for a gym i hated visiting!

Do you have a mall near you? I know that a lot of people in my area walk the mall for their workout. Maybe that would be an option for you?

Love this idea - I don't work near one so this wouldn't work for me. But all the "fast-food" smells would really not be helpful to me!