A strange gym related question...

[spoltbrat]

Maybe some of you can help me? As I posted in the "favorite workout" post, I just got the alumni card at my university, which gets me into their gym and all their classes. The only times I've been to a gym I've been with either my brother and his friends, or my good friend Karen. Since my husband didn't go to that school, and they have made it to where spouses can't get the same kind of card, I will end up working out at the gym on my own, well, sort of on my own since the workers will help me out but not work out with me. I'm a bit shy of going in there to work out on my own. I need the weight training, and I know how to use some of the machines, but how do I deal with the "on my own"ness of it? I don't do bench work, so it's not like I really need a spotter. I can't do bench work, as I have shoulder rotation problems when I do the workouts on the bench, so I do comparable workouts with dumbbells while on a stability ball.

Constructive advice is greatly appreciated!

[debbie]

we have a work out room here in teh complex, it's alwasy busy too. well anyway, i am shy too about caertain thing and this is one of them. the first few times a brough my mp3 player but i could still feel my heart dong100 bpm. lol
so guess what we did? i got a total gym. cheap. used. it works really well. let me add. i started to use it before surgery and i am already seeing restults in my arms. this this is worth it. i have the older model but i am thinking of getting the newer model. works awesome
but if you wan tot use the weight room take a deep breath in and feel good aboout yourself. bring yoru walman and start getting into to it. soon it won't bother you as much. me i tried like a lot of times. i coudln't do it. there waws also a big mirror so that made it worse. not that i was out of shape but guys grunt and make noises. i didn't need that. lol lol
good luck ;)

[Lara]

This is actually a common concern and what keeps many people from going to the gym!!! If your gym doesn't have someone who can show you the equipment and how it works (which most gyms should have), no access to a personal trainer and you feel too silly to ask someone that is working out at the gym, get a book. Weight Training for Dummies is a great book to give you the basics on weight training whether it be with free weights or machines. Here is a link to the book on Amazon.com http://http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/076455168X/104-9071077-3580704?v=glance.

Have you gone up to the machine and looked at it? Most machines--unless rubbed off from wear--have instructions on how to use it. Don't feel silly by doing that either. I'm a seasoned trainer and there are STILL machines out there that I don't know how to use. LOL. I just go up and look at the directions and do what I see on them. The good thing is that machines have a fixed range of motion so it isn't too difficult to do the exercise properly and you will get a feel for it after the first few reps. :)

[spoltbrat]

Thank you both so much!

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one that feels this way. Debbie, I *hate* the mirrors when I'm on the treadmill and such, since I sort of don't like watching myself sweaty and grumbly. What you do though is look beyond yourself...there are sometimes some very nice views behind you, if you know what I mean. I used to work out with my friend at a gym where a lot of cops went. That was FUN! I've seen the total gyms, they are great! In fact I used to work for the telemarketing company that processed their orders so we had to try them out to know how they worked. The only problem with that is I have a treadmill and a rower, and very little room for anything else. We are running out of room in fact! But when we move in a few years I'm going to get the bells-and-whistles total gym, as long as we get our own place (which is what we're banking on.) We are definitely out of room here!

Lara, thank you for the name of the book! I found it at the library and put it on hold. I love the library for that very feature. I get 3 weeks plus one renew, and I can put books on hold through the internet. I have been known to max out my own card and have to use James's to borrow more. I'm a voracious reader. LOL! I'm going to give that book a good reading and decide from there whether I'll buy it (with those sorts of books I make notes in a notebook for anything I want to remember later.) I'm only 8 pounds from my prepregnancy weight but I have a good bit of toning to do. I gained 63 pounds while pregnant, but I was on bedrest for the last 8 weeks. I'm a mesomorph and since I found the right way of eating for myself (I'm in the last stages of OWL on Atkins) I can lose weight relatively quickly and can put on muscle readily. I just have to get over that weird feeling. I'm also going to make a donation to my former junior college as well so I can use their gym as well. I have a friend that works out there too, and they have 2 branches of the health center in Pensacola. With those two AND the university, I'll have a lot of options!

Thanks again for the great help and for not making me feel like a goofball!

[summer]

Just butting in to say hi!! And Connor looks very cute!!

[spoltbrat]

Just butting in to say hi!! And Connor looks very cute!!


Hey Summer! How are you? Thank you for the compliment! That is one of his chubby pictures. He's a little on the skinny side right now, since he's crawling and cruising everywhere. As long as he has something to hold onto, he'll walk. He's never gone through that fear of falling that I've seen children do. You know how kids will pull themselves up and then scream when they can't sit down? He just flops onto his diapered tush and crawls off. He'll take between 2 and 6 steps and then drop and crawl. BTW, great news, he does NOT have epilepsy like we were worried about, and he's grown out of his acid reflux. He eats almost anything now, baby or solid food. He loves broccoli with cheese, and yogurt. It's getting to where I can't eat anything on my own without his wanting a bite. (I'm not going to exactly discourage it, but I'll put some on his own plate.) To keep this somewhat on topic, LOL!! He loves the stability ball I have. He holds on and walks, so really it helps his stability too. He's so strong and smart! His doctor is absolutely amazed with his growth and development, and he's in the 90th percentile on height (he's 29.5 inches tall, or 74.93 cm, LOL)

I'll be putting more pictures in my photobucket account, or rather, starting his own photobucket, since I have so many pictures. I just got my hard drive converted to an external drive so I can attach it to my laptop, and that's where I had a lot of his pictures. But they'll be up soon!

Thanks again!
Erin

[summer]

I'm glad everything is well...don't know why, but I seem to have taken on Connor as my patient in my mind, and keep wondering about his test results and stuff!! I always find it miraculous how quick kids recover from illnesses. I used to have to literally throw out adults after say, an appendicectomy, and kids will be bouncing all over the walls one day post op!!!

I'm fine, by the way. My hours are getting longer, but the job is still interesting and I'm still ahving fun. I have no idea how to keep this on topic, as I don't go to gyms unless I am forced to...so no help there!!!

[debbie]

when i was feeling better adn when i get better. i usually go for long speed walks, ride my bike, and use my total gym. once or 2times a week i weight train. there are soem people out there that just don't like to exercise a lone. see i do. even when i had a friend it was hard to keep track because she woudl talk so much. lol i miss her though. but i find my regimin now a good one. i use my total gym. erin this thing is awesome. you get used to it. i don't even have it on the hardest setting and i have been using it for 3 years now. i think i need a new one. lol
i probably will get one.
but don't feel bad about how you look. if someone doesn't like it, they don't have to look right?
you don't look bad anyway.
but yeah for the gym you need some room. i use my spare room but we have the room. i wish i coudl give you mine you'd love it. it works all the major muscles. i noticed a difference in like 4 weeks. but now i have to restart becasue i have been down for a couple of months. darn. lol
also bring you mp3 player. i know it motivates me. speed walking is good too. :)

[Gina]

Your baby is so adorable. I'm glad to hear that he is healthy and thriving in every way. When my daughter was teeny, she's almost 17 now--they truly do grow in the blink of an eye--I got her a little toy shopping cart at one the local toy stores that was actually designed for helping new walkers with support. She could pull herself up to the handle and take small steps while pushing it. She loved it and it was safe. As I said, it was designed for this use. Anyway, hope I am making sense. Now she's DRIVING a car around. Time flies. Savor every moment of your baby. I don't mean to sound corny, but "memorize" how he feels in your arms. You won't be able to hold him forever, he'll be driving before you know it!!!!
Best wishes

[Stacy]

" Have you gone up to the machine and looked at it? Most machines--unless rubbed off from wear--have instructions on how to use it. Don't feel silly by doing that either. I'm a seasoned trainer and there are STILL machines out there that I don't know how to use. LOL. I just go up and look at the directions and do what I see on them. The good thing is that machines have a fixed range of motion so it isn't too difficult to do the exercise properly and you will get a feel for it after the first few reps. :)[/QUOTE] Quote from Lara! (Don't know why it didn't post as a quote!)

Lmao! That is soo true Lara! I was a trainer for ten years and still when I went to a new gym I'd find a new machine and scratch my head now and then!
Erin, everyone -even gym rats, feel a little shy and self-conciece (Sp?) in a new gym. You will get to know people there as you go and feel more than comfortable in no time, trust me every one in there, no matter what their current fitness level or goals are -is Not looking at you funny, even if you do something wrong. I'm not sure if they still have these tv shows on but -body shaping, flex appeal, and a few other weight lifting shows are awesome to learn and pick up new tips! Check out your local listings? Feel free to email or write me here anytime babe!
Conner is looking SO CUTE! And I am glad I re-read and edited this post- the first time it read as everyone IS looking at you funny..OOPS! :p

[Lara]

Thank you both so much!

I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one that feels this way. Debbie, I *hate* the mirrors when I'm on the treadmill and such, since I sort of don't like watching myself sweaty and grumbly. What you do though is look beyond yourself...there are sometimes some very nice views behind you, if you know what I mean. I used to work out with my friend at a gym where a lot of cops went. That was FUN! I've seen the total gyms, they are great! In fact I used to work for the telemarketing company that processed their orders so we had to try them out to know how they worked. The only problem with that is I have a treadmill and a rower, and very little room for anything else. We are running out of room in fact! But when we move in a few years I'm going to get the bells-and-whistles total gym, as long as we get our own place (which is what we're banking on.) We are definitely out of room here!

Lara, thank you for the name of the book! I found it at the library and put it on hold. I love the library for that very feature. I get 3 weeks plus one renew, and I can put books on hold through the internet. I have been known to max out my own card and have to use James's to borrow more. I'm a voracious reader. LOL! I'm going to give that book a good reading and decide from there whether I'll buy it (with those sorts of books I make notes in a notebook for anything I want to remember later.) I'm only 8 pounds from my prepregnancy weight but I have a good bit of toning to do. I gained 63 pounds while pregnant, but I was on bedrest for the last 8 weeks. I'm a mesomorph and since I found the right way of eating for myself (I'm in the last stages of OWL on Atkins) I can lose weight relatively quickly and can put on muscle readily. I just have to get over that weird feeling. I'm also going to make a donation to my former junior college as well so I can use their gym as well. I have a friend that works out there too, and they have 2 branches of the health center in Pensacola. With those two AND the university, I'll have a lot of options!

Thanks again for the great help and for not making me feel like a goofball!

You are welcome Erin! Books rule! I'm a total bookworm. LOL

You are very fortunate to be able to lose fat and gain muscle easily. You will see results so much sooner! I guarantee you will lose those last 8 pounds even quicker if you start weight training.

Off topic here--what part of Pensacola are you from? My husband is from there. :)

[Lara]

Lmao! That is soo true Lara! I was a trainer for ten years and still when I went to a new gym I'd find a new machine and scratch my head now and then!
Erin, everyone -even gym rats, feel a little shy and self-conciece (Sp?) in a new gym. You will get to know people there as you go and feel more than comfortable in no time, trust me every one in there, no matter what their current fitness level or goals are -is Not looking at you funny, even if you do something wrong. I'm not sure if they still have these tv shows on but -body shaping, flex appeal, and a few other weight lifting shows are awesome to learn and pick up new tips! Check out your local listings? Feel free to email or write me here anytime babe!
Conner is looking SO CUTE! And I am glad I re-read and edited this post- the first time it read as everyone IS looking at you funny..OOPS! :p

Well said Stacey! I forgot about those shows--it's been so long since I watched them--but those are great ways to learn as well! :)

[spoltbrat]

Your baby is so adorable. I'm glad to hear that he is healthy and thriving in every way. When my daughter was teeny, she's almost 17 now--they truly do grow in the blink of an eye--I got her a little toy shopping cart at one the local toy stores that was actually designed for helping new walkers with support. She could pull herself up to the handle and take small steps while pushing it. She loved it and it was safe. As I said, it was designed for this use. Anyway, hope I am making sense. Now she's DRIVING a car around. Time flies. Savor every moment of your baby. I don't mean to sound corny, but "memorize" how he feels in your arms. You won't be able to hold him forever, he'll be driving before you know it!!!!
Best wishes


Hi Gina! He's doing well, thanks! He has either an ear infection or congestion or pain going up to his ears. Infection is the most likely candidate though. He's almost 11 months and has only had 2 ear infections, so I don't consider that too bad at all. Other than hurricane related congestion he's doing great! He's walking all over the place now. I think I used to have one of those shopping carts! I used it even when I was about 4 to play grocery store. My parents converted the shed into a playhouse for me since it was MUCH bigger than standard playhouses, so I set up a whole grocery store, or a house, or whatever I wanted. It was great!

I have been doing just what you advised: memorizing the feeling. I know just what you mean. I also memorize the way he smells. Not the stink of course, but his shampoo and the general sweet baby smell. It makes me so happy I end up crying. LOL! We tried a long time for him and when we gave up, here he came. It's SO hard to believe he's almost 1. It seems like just yesterday I was screaming for my epidural!

[spoltbrat]

Hey Stacy! Thanks for the tips! I haven't watched a workout show in years! My mom for some reason couldn't stand Denise Austin (too perky even for my mom, especially early in the morning) so we'd watch and see if just once she'd over step and fall into the pool. But it makes sense to watch those. I used to watch the one with Kiana (I think it was? It was years ago) and it was hard to hear the instructions with my brothers woohooing the TV.

Thank you! He is getting chubby again. He's a handsome little boy though (I'm so biased though!) Chasing Connor is a workout in itself. He's decided running is fun now so he jog-toddles around the house now. My dad came home from a trip today and Connor walked over to him. Just one week of his being gone and Connor seemed to sprout up during that time!



Lara, I am very fortunate for my body shape. I have to stay at the higher end of my BMI (I'm supposed to be 110-130) since I am dense with muscle (however James would tell you I'm dense on many levels.) I made the mistake of matching my eating to my jogging this week, and it was too soon to start adding in so much more. So I'm working off an extra pound or two from that. But my baby biceps are growing so I won't complain.

I'm just glad to see that others have that initial shyness too. I do need to start the weight training though. Oh! I have a question for you. Why is it now that I'm jogging my thighs seem to actually be flabbier? I swear they weren't as wobbly before. What the heck is going on? I didn't expect immediately thin thighs (a girl can wish though) but to have them get jigglier was the absolute last expectation I had. What happened and what can I do to combat the battle of the thighs?

[Lara]

Lara, I am very fortunate for my body shape. I have to stay at the higher end of my BMI (I'm supposed to be 110-130) since I am dense with muscle (however James would tell you I'm dense on many levels.) I made the mistake of matching my eating to my jogging this week, and it was too soon to start adding in so much more. So I'm working off an extra pound or two from that. But my baby biceps are growing so I won't complain.

I'm just glad to see that others have that initial shyness too. I do need to start the weight training though. Oh! I have a question for you. Why is it now that I'm jogging my thighs seem to actually be flabbier? I swear they weren't as wobbly before. What the heck is going on? I didn't expect immediately thin thighs (a girl can wish though) but to have them get jigglier was the absolute last expectation I had. What happened and what can I do to combat the battle of the thighs?

Hmmm, without being there and having been able to track what's going on, I could make a guess here. You may have lost some bodyfat despite your 1 pound gain (you probably put muscle on and really didn't gain any fat) and have that temporary moment where your skin hasn't adjusted to the weight loss. Yes, this would seem hokey to say, but I've seen it many times and have had it happen to me. I swear! Give it a bit and let's see what happens.

Lara :)