I'm not one to talk...I've had a gym membership since 2006. I used to go quite consistently...up until March/April of this year...I haven't been since then and it's coming up to my renewal in October.

DH has bugged me b/c I've wasted $25-30 each month by not going to the gym.

I think I'll be getting my arse in gear and going to the gym this weekend!

I have a hard time going to the gym right after work because a) I usually don't have someone to go with and b) I've got an 11 month old puppy at home who's by himself all day and needs to be let out and walked. I feel guilty...

Of course!! *Sends gym vibes through computer*

Also, just to add, I didn't always have this mentality. I went to the gym on and off for 3 years before I got serious about excersize. This mentality prob came about 18 months ago. If you take yourself to the gym even when you don't want to, chances are you will feel better after you get some sweat on. I know I do, and I actually crave it after work now. It's just part of the routine.

milesofsmiles-

I've read several similar thoughts to my own, as in; Get up early and go before work. I just started doing this about 3-4 weeks ago and even though I am a bit tired its so worth it! Its now part of my routine and I just don't mess with it!

My personal mental strength/conviction about the gym has come from an interesting place though - I have a relentless mind and have had anxiety about my physical appearance ever since I was child. That didn't stop me from being quite fat and never exercising, so my anxiety just sprialed. (I have lots of anxiety though, I agonoize about most things, but FOOD and WEIGHT are the biggest problems for me, they stress me out real bad to the point of neurosis and I irritate myself and everyone around me) ANYHOO, I discovered that going to the gym became my CURE ALL. I eat healthy enough, but I don't stress too too much because I know that every morning (atleast 5 days a week) I am off to the gym for an hour of intense working out! I am satisfied in knowing that I am actively doing something about my appearance, so all of my "I don't wannas" melt away because going to the gym has become my therapy. It quiets my mind. I don't hate myself nearly as much and if I eat terribly, well, I work harder at the gym...

Aw, thanks for the VIBES, BornToFly! that was sweet.

Harps- Glad you found your peace with it. I am into my looks as well, even when i am overweight, i start the self loathing. No good.

I still have not gone to the gym yet--- I am planning on going this weekend with my husband though. He said if anything, he will encourage me to go on the weekend, when i have plenty of time.

He knows this gym thing is a double edged sword, if he bugs me about it, I get mad, if he doesn't, I get mad.... yeah, that's not cool.

So we decided, this weekend will be my gym trip. Looking forward to it as much as dreading it.

I hired a personal trainer to help me learn what needs to be done to be successful at the gym. I have tried so many other things to get going on exercise and liked it, but with my trainer I have learned to love it. I also feel that I am doing it all "right" by starting slow and building endurance. If someone can afford even a few sessions it will be beneficial.

I had a gym membership and stopped gonig, and cancles it after having it for about three years and not going. Then just a year a go I got it back. I have to say there are times when I look at my treadmill at home and would rather do ANYTHING but get on it, thats when I hit the gym and do one of their machines. I always tell myself I'm going to go to a class but I haven't yet.

I signed up with a trainer too, they can be very helpful. I have to say I like the gym...

BornToFly~ I'm having an affair with Elly the Elliptical machine

Good Luck going to the gym, let us know how it goes?

lol, that's awesome skullarix! Elly the Elliptical!

I might look into a trainer. I don't know why I haven't yet. Guess it's just fear of not knowing what to expect. I also want to do a class of something, yoga maybe? just to mix things up. But haven't taken that step.

I still haven't been back to the gym yet....someone wanna kick me in the butt?

I'm going to try to go at least twice this week, to start!

Here you go, Wifey. Also sending you some of this. Now get off your duff and get to the gym.

Hello! I went and I survived!

I still want to get an elliptical for home-- I just don't feel comfortable in the gym like I used to, that feeling really sucks. So my plan is to buy a used one at Play It Again Sports and I get to see it and try it out, do some research on the ones I like and then purchase one.

I would like to lose at least 20 lbs before I set foot back in that gym. I know such a silly outlook but really I just did not feel comfortable in that place.

I bought a 30 session pre-paid trainer pack and used 10 of them years ago and really liked it--- I felt like I was taught how to use the machines, do exercises I would have never thought of doing and use the free weights--- I still have another 20 sessions to use up (they don't expire)-- silly me would rather lose some weight before i actually sue the trainer again. I know. I know.

So that is where I am at.
I really appreciate everyone being so kind and motivating--- I know this is a topic that we all can relate to, that is why I like coming on the forum.

I've just gotten back to the gym after a 4 month holiday while I got my job sorted. I'm sure the teachers out there can agree that the last thing you want to do after school is go to the gym- especially if you've got the kind of kids that I've got!

I'm on a 4-day-a-week plan, and managed to make all 4 sessions even if I was dead tired. I find it's a great pick-up, though when I'm finished, it's right back to being dead tired. Only problem is that my body's retaining water, so every morning on the scales, I've been weighing more and more.

Time to get ready for tea: going out to celebrate a friend's partner's birthday. I don't want to pig out. Won't do it. I will eat right.

My wife and I had our gym memberships for the past year and a half and have used it sporadically. I honestly think I have used the gym more the past week (six times) than over the previous eighteen months.

That's awesome, DAN! Just gotta get back on track and sounds like you are getting on track!

I would like to use a trainer as well, but feel the same as you, that I'd like to lose more weight before using one. Silly, I know.

I don't feel that way about going to the gym any longer. I finally feel like I belong to the gym, I'm a gym person now. Seems crazy at my weight to say I'm a gym person, but I really am.

Congrats on going, it just gets easier, I promise