Last year when the economy took a down-turn, most Americans re-evaluated expenses that previously had seemed irreplaceable. Many people saw gym memberships as a luxury expense. As a single parent, I did the same. I am fortunate that I had already acquired over the years, a set of barbell weights, tubes, bands, a Bosu (half spherical piece of equipment that you can stand on while doing reps of weight lifting exercises, which encourages core stabilization), a stability ball, a very old recumbent bike, and a treadmill, a street bike and a good old fashioned pair of running shoes to hit the pavement with! I can really get most muscle groups targeted with my home set up. BUT, there are benefits to a gym if you can join for a nominal enrollments fee and a low monthly fee (price out the major chains, YMCA, community centers or many church organizations in the south have full gyms as part of their facilities).
The Consumer Reports National Research Center found that 37% of people surveyed said that they don't use their home gym equipment as much as they thought they would. If you have a friend to meet at the gym, you are more likely not to blow it off. Also, many people use gym time as a social outlet (it's better than a double latte' and biscotti at a coffee shop).
If you pay for a class or a half hour with a trainer, you probably won't find an excuse not to participate because you have to pay for it regardless of whether you show up or not. Most importantly, do it for your continued better health!
Try not to become a statistic! Don’t eat and drink your fill, combined with no-exercise during the holidays, then join a gym in January, only to stop going within 30 days. Make moderation in your holiday treats, and daily exercise a lifestyle choice.
Saturday 12/17/11 - Workout Diary:
day off
Saturday 12/17/11- Food Diary:
Breakfast-
organic steel cut oatmeal (150 cal)
1 large banana, 1/2 cup blackberries (130 cal)
A.M. Snack-
15 almonds (120 cal)
whey protein shake (125 cal)
Lunch-
4 oz orange roughy (90 cal)
salad - 8 oz greens-1 1/2 cup spinach, red sweet pepper, steamed broccoli/cauliflower, asparagus, 4 cherry tomato (88 cal)
2 tbls sunflower seeds ( 60 cal)
3 oz adamame (120 cal)
P.M. Snack-
8 moz 0 % Greek yogurt ( 130 cal)
homemade popcorn ( 90 cal)
Dinner-
1 glass red wine (100 cal)
4 oz pork chops with spicy peach salsa (230 cal)
1 cup cooked wild rice, slivered almonds (180 cal)
endive/tomato salad, EVV, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar ( 107 cal)
Dessert-
1/2 cup high protein cereal, 1/2 cup non fat cottage cheese, sprinkle of cinnamon(120 cal)
TOTAL CALORIES- 1748 
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