So I joined Crunch in Park Slope in the middle of July... To date I have only been their one time after my two initial personal trainer tests runs.

I feel gross and I feel like I'm wasting money.

To be perfectly honest I'd rather cancel my membership and spend the money on food and booze, but that's what got me into this mess in the first place.

Gyms offer a number of benefits, both practical and psychological. But there are a few caveats to consider before taking the plunge.

Few could afford to buy the variety of equipment that gyms typically offer. Multi-station weight machines are just the beginning. Most gyms have treadmills, stationary rowing equipment, stretching bars, etc.

I'm not looking at it as a new years resolution because I really think that winter (the time of hibernation) is not the proper time to make those types of goals.

Anyway, today I signed up for a Curves Gym membership. I'm actually super stoked about it. I went and got myself a nice workout today and I feel that if I do that three times a week, I'll be getting a good handle on my weight after some time. The trick for me is to make it a routine. If I can get that down, I'll be freaking super-girl! I can do anything. ;)

A second visit to the gym this week. That is good. Tonight the entire family came. Beetle and Fritz went to the Child Watch program as Gert joined me in the gym. The treadmill and Precor were hardly on before we were informed Fritz needed a diaper change. Gert stepped up on this. The problem, of course, was that we did not bring a diaper bag. Sigh . . . Gert took the boy home, changed him, and returned.

It's been a while. After squandering the summer, I finally dragged my butt into the gym tonight. It's a bittersweet moment. I am happy I worked out; I am extremely disappointed with myself that it took four months to make it happen.

Today I walked two miles on the treadmill. I cranked up the incline to 10%, although for most of the time, it was six-eight percent. My walking speed was four miles per hour for most of the walk. I ran (6) for about a half lap, then back it down.

My heart rate was pretty good at about 130 bpm.

Just started working out at the gym today. I'm hoping to keep it up at least 1-2 days a week. I'm just trying it out again to see if the gym is something I enjoy doing. I'm keeping it fairly simple to start. I'm just trying to build some stabilizing muscles before I start hitting it harder. I'm also planning on getting some free weights at my house for those days where I can't make it to the gym or have no cash.

Does anyone have some good starting out workout routines?

Why is it that it is so hard to start a workout routine and stick to it? Why is it that we can consistently stay on the track to fitness for awhile, but fall off the tracks dramatically?

I've spoken all over this site about 'eliminating the excuses' for fitness.

Let's talk about some of these excuses:

• Life got too busy. I'll get back into the routine when I free up some time
  The problem with motivation is that when you have it, it is easy to lose. It takes 20 times as long to build up motivation than it does to lose it. The reality is, fitness needs to take a priority in your queue of responsibilities. This can mean running on lunch break, hitting the gym in the morning, walking up 10 flights of stairs to work: WHATEVER. The point is, we need to MAKE time in our busy schedule. If that means missing 24 or LOST -- so be it.

Hi all,
So I think I'm going to start hitting the gym. Its the winter and I am usually a person who likes to get his exercise from things such as biking, skateboarding and hiking etc. Since I can't do most of that type of stuff in the winter, I decided I will start hitting the gym a couple times a week to try and shed the beer gut I am starting to develop.

Is there anything tips that you that anyone would suggest for a person that has never really been a gym guy? What are some of the first things I should keep in mind?

If anyone could share their knowledge or tell me about their story of when they first started hitting the gym that would be great.

Hey -

Here are a number of links that you may find helpful. It is a summary of links posted in the forums.

Highly suggested reading before starting out:

Mayo Clinic's 'Fitness programs: Staying motivated'

Yahoo Health on Staying Motivated

Key to achieving fitness: Stay motivated

Staying Motivated for Exercise (From Chad Tackett)

So I've got a problem. I am up in Whistler for the weekend (a ski resort), and I brought all my gym gear but FORGOT my running shoes. I can't go into the gym with ski boots or dress shoes so I am more or less screwed?

So I am facing a decision: Do I go out and buy a pair of runners at footlocker, leave them hear at the cabin for later usage? That is a pretty steep price for keeping up motivation.

The alternative is to work out here using the bench, do pushups, do situps, the plank and so forth. The problem is, when I have a TV in front of me I get nothing done. And, believe it or not, I can't turn it off.