After months of working out at home and losing virtually no weight, I decided to take the plunge and join a gym. Thank goodness Groupon had a special on a local gym or I’d still be fighting my way through Jillian Michaels DVDs in my basement. Gyms cost a lot of money, but in this case, the cost could be my health.
I mentioned several months ago that I wasn’t losing any weight and I had a theory as to why. It turns out, I was right. One of my medications causes weight gain–I just hadn’t realized how much. A trip to my doctor to discuss my frustration revealed that I have put on 25lbs since the summer months. While I’m at the higher end of my BMI, I don’t feel healthy. He was reluctant to change my medication (I’m getting a second opinion later this month), and added that it was unlikely I will actually be able to lose the weight, however it is important to keep in front of it and stay healthy.
At first, I felt justified. I wasn’t imagining it. I really want struggling. Eating well, Zumba several times a week and walking on the treadmill were not making a difference. I thought about throwing caution to the wind and eating my “normal” ways, but I decided to heed my doctor’s warning and think about my health into the future.
Zumba wasn’t enough, so the second a Groupon to my local Powerhouse Gym became available, I snatched one up.
I wouldn’t have been inclined to do this if my mom didn’t also belong to the gym, so that’s my full discloser. Groupon and PowerHouse did not compensate me or even know about this post.
I did a bit of research, not much though. Most of the local gyms are about $40/month per person and don’t offer any classes. One offers a pool, but I’d have to pay extra for my family members. My mom paid a $99 registration fee and pays $20 per month at the Powerhouse. The Groupon was $20 for two months, plus my local gym was offering us to sign a contract going beyond the two months for $20 a month without having to pay the registration fee. I jumped at that offer. I know other PowerHouses are not offering that deal, but they are all independently owned and operated.
So far, it’s been a good experience. I’ve been going several times per week and staying about an hour per time. My time there varies. Sometimes I go after dinner, sometimes I go in the afternoon, once I even went at 5 a.m. The crowd varies depending on the time of day. I work mine around my child care schedule. My location only has child care from 9:30 to noon or similar hours. This is sort of tough for a working mom. I go when I know someone can be home with my kids.
I haven’t attended any of the classes yet, but I am having a good time using the weights and doing some strength building.
This week, I plan to outline my experience with the gym and my new healthy lifestyle routine. So stay tuned!
