More on Weight Loss: What Would YOU Do?
by FireMom ~ January 24th, 2008. Filed under: Goals, Health.Like what you're reading? Subscribe to our feed.
I’ve got a dilemma on my hands. It is weight loss related. Involves money. And time spent away from my children. And hard work. Yes, I’m talking gym membership. While I’m not in a rush to get to the gym, it’s just something I need to do. The weight has stopped magically disappearing. It’s time to be proactive.
At three months postpartum after BigBrother, I joined Curves. I kickstarted the weight loss. I combined their workout with daily walking when the weather improved. And darn if I didn’t lose all that weight within a year of BigBrother’s birth. Yes, it took most of that year. But it came off. And I felt great. And I had energy. And when it came time to conceive the next kid, my belly was relatively flat. You know, relatively. (See picture to the left which was taken just after LittleBrother was conceived. You know, before the bloat which came before the hugearrific belly.)
That said, I did like Curves. The circuit training was appropriate for me, someone who can get easily distracted in a gym setting. And easily overwhelmed. But I’m never, ever a fan of being the youngest person in a setting. And I was. By about twenty years. No one, not even the staff, was friendly with me. Granted, I wasn’t there for conversation and was often working so hard that I didn’t have breath to talk, but an occasional conversation might have been nice. I also didn’t like someone else measuring me. I’m very private about my numbers, which I mentioned in my previous post, and felt judged by the skinny-minny that was measuring me each month. On top of that, they moved clear across the city during my year membership which caused my half hour workout plus five minute commute to turn into a half hour workout and a half hour commute. More time away from my kids is not what I’m seeking.
Now that we know the pros and cons of Curves, I also called another gym in town. It is less than a mile from our home but not a “less-than-mile-walking-distance” because it goes through some not-so-nice parts of town. So, driving is a must but it doesn’t take all that long. They have a good reputation in town. Their hours are nicer than Curves. They’ve got a lot of equipment, not just a circuit, including my favorite: the elliptical. And, whether I’m paying monthly, six months at a time or a year at a time, they’re somewhat (for monthly) to much (a year) cheaper than Curves. I also dig the “six” month option. That’s nice if I happen to lose all my weight in six months, don’t you think? I like the freedom that a no-circuit gym provides to let me do whatever I want on whatever machine for however long I choose.
There are always cons, of course. The circuit kept me focused. Will I be able to stay focused with so many things to choose from? Will I be smart enough to do cardio on one day and weight training on my next day? And, since no one is measuring me, will I get discouragd by doing it myself? Or will I forget? Or is that even something I should do? Should I base it on how my pants fit? Furthermore, and the biggest “ick” factor, it’s a unisex gym. That means men. If you think I’m shy and reserved around other women, you should see me around other men in a gym setting. I feel super inferior. I refuse to ask for help which bites me in the butt when I need to ask how to use a machine or ask for advice on how to improve a certain weight training program for myself. I’m fine with cardio. But if you’ve seen my spaghetti arms, you know weight training has never been my strongest suit.
Despite those cons, I’m leaning more towards the second gym. It’s close proximity combined with flexibility (and the cost!!) are pushing it ahead of Curves, especially considering the known cons of that place. To boot, the second gym has karate which wouldn’t be a bad thing to pick up once I’m back in something that resembles some kind of shape other than “recently pregnant.”
What would you do? What have you done? Any advice if I choose the second gym on how to stay on task and not freak out in an open gym with, gulp, BOYS? I’m figuring I will join one or the other in mid-February or the beginning of March. So, you have until then to sway me one way or the other. I really wish it would warm up so I could get outside with the boys. One in a carrier and/or pushing one/both in a double stroller up our hill sure would burn a few calories, no? But it’s snowing again. Figures.
Oh! And when I’m ready to adjust my caloric intake a bit (and have a bit more time to actually cook instead of quickly throwing something together in the ten minutes that LittleBrother naps), I’m going to be following The Ultimate Tea diet which I just reviewed over at Modern Mamma Marvels. Hit it up!
January 24th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
You might ask them about personal training. It’s too costly to do on a regular basis, but sometimes when you are just starting out with a changed body, one or two visits are just enough to set out a workout plan and train you to use the machines that are right for you.
I know the YMCA offers at least one free visit to new members (the one I just joined gave me 4 WOOTWOOT!!!). Most gyms at least offer a discount to new members.
That alone made a huge difference for me - also someone who refuses to ask for help! LOL But good luck - I know you’ll be successful no matter what you choose!
Nikki Jo’s last blog post..Dear God (and other ways to start prayers)
January 24th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Have you visited the second gym? I think this would be a good idea because it will give you some more perspective. When I first joined the gym, a trainer asked me what I was trying to improve along with many other things. She took measurements (if you wanted them) and devised a personalized workout plan which included weights, elliptical, and whatever else you wanted. She then went through all the machines and showed me how to use them. This was all included in the membership fee! Call the gym and see if they do something similar to this. I also really liked the classes that my gym offered for a change of pace. Good luck with your weight loss!
Also, visit this site and see other mothers who are in/were in the same position as you! Maybe it will give you some motivation. http://theshapeofamother.com
January 24th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Nikki Jo; the cost of our YMCA is somewhat prohibitive until the boys would also be making use of their services. So, in about three years, it will be the perfect option for us. Then again, I won’t be looking to lose baby weight in three years. Or… hmm. LOL. It would be nice if they offered a few free try-outs of their gym so I could compare it to what I know Curves to be. I should ask. *panics*
January 24th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Daisy; I have not yet visited (though my Husband has (fire) inspected the place so I know it to be clean and well-equipped). When I called to price their offerings, the gentleman on the phone told me to come down at any time for a tour. I need to put my nerves aside, buck up and just do it. That said, Shape of a Mother is on my daily RSS reader “must reads.” It’s a great, great site! Thanks for the encouragement!
January 24th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Just wanted to comment that because you are nursing you may be surprised how that weight just continues to fall off over time. By the time my DS was a little over a year old I was about 10 pounds less than when I got pregnant with him and that was just with nursing, babywearing, and a little bit of walking. A gym membership would be great though for getting some of that muscle tone back and making you feel good. If you don’t want to leave your little ones to go workout though, perhaps you could even consider doing videos at home with some simple equipment like an exercise ball and a yoga mat until the weather gets warmer?
January 24th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Claire; If you look back at my previous post on weight loss or scour any breastfeeding support group online, you’ll find all kind of anecdotal evidence that either falls exactly in line with yours or totally contradicts it. It’s funny, really, how every person has a totally unique experience with this topic! Funny in a frustrating way, really, as it really makes it hard for us up-and-comers to make sense of what to do! I’m also hoping working out will help get rid of some extra stress/frustration/anxiety. Man, I can’t wait for a warm up so we can get outside and walkwalkwalk!
January 24th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I second the suggestion of personal training. Not only will it give you focus, but then you’ll know someone at the gym! And you might be surprised at how much more interesting some of the ball and floor exercises are then the circuit training. So with personal training you’ve taken care of two of your concerns: focus and an occasional conversation. And yeah, it costs money, but consider it an investment in your future workouts!
January 24th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I like curves, for a while..
I lost almost 100 lbs going to curves, and loved it. The workout started out as easy, and I could pump it up and make it harder and faster as I went on. I liked the support and encouragement, and the fact that I wasn’t surrounded by really fit people
It made me feel good about myself 
I did feel like with curves I hit a plateau and maxed out on the workout. I think there comes to a point where your fitness level just won’t keep up with what curves has to offer. I look at it as a GREAT introduction to fitness, and a great starting point.
erinthebeekeeper’s last blog post..Roe v. Wade day
January 24th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I joined Bally’s. I even paid for the free trainer for eight sessions. It was a waste of money. I quit going as soon as the training sessions ended. Now I’m stuck with a three-year contract. Blah.
I did lose 25 menopause pounds, but it was due to a virus that hung on for three months (not recommended).
I hear a lot of good things about Curves; the only bad thing I heard was in regards to plateauing with the workout.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Oh - you’ve asked the right person!
When you join a gym, they should give you a new member orientation. If they don’t ask for one!
I belong to Bally’s and Jeff got me some training sessions for Christmas. The first time I did training sessions it was like boot camp. I hated it. I lost weight, but I hated it. This time I’m going to tell the trainer I want to see him/her once a month. I want them to evaluate and make changes to a the routine that we develop together.
If you do something like that you can pay for one training session and get a routine which will keep you focused. If you then buy another session every couple of months, you can get the routine tweeked to what is going in your journey at that point.
Good Luck and let me know if you want anymore of my un-expert opinions!
January 25th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I like gyms, but to the best idea is working out at home, especially when the weather warms up. I like your stroller idea, and that’s a great workout.
Personally, I use handweights with my own routine. It might not be quite as professional as I would get at the gym, but it’s free, I can do it while watching TV, and I like it.
Just a thought………….
January 25th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
I know you probably won’t read this in time, but I’m watching The View and today’s main topic is losing weight. They’re having a segment on losing baby weight and they’re talking about The Ultimate Tea Diet. What a coincidence, since you just posted about those. Good luck finding the right gym!
January 25th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I would vote for the full-featured gym. Although, actually getting to the gym to lose my remaining baby weight is still an unrealized dream, I have maintained my membership- that counts for something, right? I don’t think the unisex situation is a problem since most of the guys with an attitude are in the free weight section making loud grunting, straining sounds while picking up weights way too heavy for them so they can then look around and see who was impressed. They seem to stay away from the weight machines and the cardio machines so I can work out in peace…
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January 25th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I have been a gym member many times in the past (with men!) and totally enjoyed it. Not because of the men (although some are nice to look at), but because basically most of the men there could care less about the women there. Most have been very polite if I needed a machine or are willing to let you “work in” with them (meaning you do a set and then they do a set alternating on a specific machine if that machine is busy). Also, I have to agree with all of the others in that most gyms give a few free training sessions or tutorials on how to use the machines. If you forget, the gym staff will always show you how to use them. Take advantage of the free sessions because personal training can be costly. I am always much more motivated at a gym than to work out at home. I can always find something at home to keep me busy or that needs to be done to procrastinate (although I am getting better about this). It’s funny that you would be concerned about going to a gym with men. I would be concerned about going to a gym with all women and comparing myself to all of them constantly - different strokes for different folks I guess. From a medical prospective, supposedly breast feeding burns an extra 500 calories a day so in theory the weight should come off with time, but I realize that is in theory. Hope this helps.
January 27th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Keep in mind that especially for gyms with men and women your experience may vary hugely based on what time of day you go. In the mornings and during the work day it is less busy and I think more fun. If you can only workout in the evenings make sure you visit in the evening to check the place out. Sometimes they are packed and if you are at all intimidated you are more likely to stop using the gym when its crowded and you have to interact with people more. That said, once you get going it is really fun to have all those options that someplace larger than Curves can provide!