Been Living A Sendentary Life

aura_of_laura · Jan 18, 2010

After months of procrastinating, I just joined a gym a month ago - kudos for making a positive life change (or at least trying to)! What to bring really varies depending on the size of the facility. I take workout clothes and shoes, shampoo and body wash, and a towel. Some gyms offer a towel service, which is really nice.

Random tips:

1. Really build going to the gym into your routine. They say it takes three weeks to create a habit. For me, I made the habit to go to the gym every day that I work (4 times a week).

2. Always keep your gym bag stocked and ready in your car. That way there's no excuse to skip!

3. Keep energy bars (I like peanut butter ClifBars) handy in your car or bag - working out makes me incredibly hungry, and those stave off the urge to stop at McDonalds or Starbucks!

4. Consider using a personal trainer - if you haven't worked out in a long time, they are a terrific resource. Just googling workouts is the equivalent of using webmd.com in place of seeing a doctor - most trainers are really good at what they do.

Good luck!

VegRN · Jan 18, 2010

Good for you on your desire to change!

I would check out websites such as shape.com to determine what to bring on the first day. It also depends a lot on what you will be doing at the gym, cardio, strength training, classes etc. Asking at the gym might be a good idea as well.

Good luck

Katie5 · Jan 18, 2010

It would be nice when spring comes and I can run outside again.....I can feel the breeze on my face even as I type.Wow

ONCRN84 · Jan 18, 2010

I second the idea of the trainer. When I joined a gym 5 years ago it came with 3 personal training sessions. I did one a month for 3 months. It included a body composition test then about 45 minutes of "training". She showed me how to use different machine, help me set goals and a plan, and then after a month showed me my progress and tweaked my program. It was HUGE help when I was getting started. I fell off the fitness wagon for a while, but now that I'm getting back into it I can still pull from the knowledge she gave me.

Congrats on deciding to change and good luck with your journey!

NiaMalikaLMT · Jan 18, 2010

Good Morning , I empathize with you . I have been a Licensed Clinical Massage Therapist for the past 5+ years , and when things went crazy with the economy I too fell into a sedentary lifestyle . And now I have decided to enter an ADN program in order to reach more people with the concept of Holistic Living . I appreciate your post and will remeber it as a soyrce of Inspiration for me To Get Up and Get Moving !

CASTLEGATES · Jan 18, 2010

Less calories in, less calories stored. That's the key to 90% of it. I don't understand why people pay money for special food, gyms, etc when it's free to do at home...but that's just me (no offense to anyone...K?)

SweetOldWorld, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2010

Find something at the gym you enjoy doing and that you can realistically keep doing for the rest of your life. Start out slowly. Keep at it and don't get discouraged when you hit a plateau, because if you keep at it, you will get stronger and you will lose weight. If you force yourself to do something you hate, or you set yourself an unrealistically difficult regimen, you will be more likely to quit.

An excellent book to read is "Thin for Life" by Anne Fletcher. She interviews people who have lost weight and kept it off. Exercise is a key part of that, but you will find that people who are successful in losing weight find an exercise plan that really fits with the rest of their life. Many many people become fit by walking. It doesn't have to be anything fancy.

If you can, make some appointments with a personal trainer who can work with you to make a plan just for you, and show you how to use the equipment.

Congrats to you on taking this step for your health!

nurses promotes health and do patient teaching to prevent diseases and do exercise.. but i myself needs to be taught.. it is hard to preach when you are not practicing what you preach...
Gained weight and don't do any exercise... Now i decided to change...
I am planning to enroll in a fitness gym... can anyone tell me what to do and what to bring during your first day???

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 18, 2010

Bring:

Water in a large refillable container... can buy anywhere. Be sure it can fit in a cup holder like you might have in your car. This will be good for treadmill etc. cardio time.

No cash: Helps avoid getting MCD etc. (I have a problem with MCD iced coffees!)

Alcohol hand rub: use, use, use. Try not to touch your face while at the club. Germs!

Towel: handtowel for wiping your face of sweat. I do not shower at the club (yuck). See if you can do that at home.

Layer: wear Tshirt, and hoody or something you can strip when you warm up. Put back after cardio (I get cold) then your coat on top when you leave.

kleenex: in your little pocket of workout shorts or pants. If I come in from the cold and do cardio, my nose will run. It is disgusting to be on treadmill next to someone sniffling and snorting because they don't have a kleenex. You won't want to stop your workout to get off and get one.

carkeys: I have just house and car key (that's all) on a special ring. Don't want my entire set with me... that's too much. I can safetypin to inside of a pocket... as I don't even like to get a locker at the gym.

:up:

SNjamie · Jan 18, 2010

remember: the most important exercise is the one you'll do!

i try to walk my dog for 30+ mins per day.

thanrye8710 · Jan 18, 2010

Thanks everyone! :-) just got home from a fitness gym... I asked for a tour then end up enrolling. They gave $100 off for my 36months membership and I get 2 free personal trainer session EVERY MONTH for. Plus a lot of free classes.

I am really serious in doing this change... I don't like to tell a patient, "exercise regularly to promote health" where my self don't do it... It is shameful when you say that to your patient and he/she will ask you "do you exercise regularly?"...

I am just 22 years old, 5'7 and is 170pounds.. my BMI is 26.7 which is Over Weight and is 3.3 points away to become Obese... I wont wait for that to happen... I will act now to have a better health and more confidence in teaching patients in promoting health.

Iggy123 · Jan 18, 2010

I feel your pain! Im 5 foot 4 and I currently weight 175 lbs .... I used to weigh 115 lbs before I started nursing school. I feel SO out of shape right now. I had my body fat % tested and its at 42%! WAY TOO HIGH, and Im only 24 years old!

I would love to lose about 50 to 60 pounds but it just seems to daunting...I work 4 on 5 off and I am exhausted. I only could work out on my days off and even then probably only 2 or 3 days at the most because I would need time to recover.