Comments on: More on Weight Loss: What Would YOU Do?

By: Dana

Dana — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 02:01:40 +0000

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!

By: Ginger

Ginger — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:00:28 +0000

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.

By: PumpkinsMom

PumpkinsMom — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:45:16 +0000

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... PumpkinsMom's last blog post..You Know You're a Mom When...

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:07:24 +0000

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!

By: IAAdmin

IAAdmin — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:44:33 +0000

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………….

By: Trish

Trish — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:50:57 +0000

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!

By: Vicki

Vicki — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:11:51 +0000

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.

By: erinthebeekeeper

erinthebeekeeper — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:34:55 +0000

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

By: atpanda

atpanda — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:25:06 +0000

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!

By: FireMom

FireMom — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:18:09 +0000

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!