I like to work out early in the mornings at home. I get up around 5:30 a.m. and get dressed (keeping my workout clothes near the bed helps keep me motivated). I go downstairs to the kitchen, pop a couple of Nature Made SAM-e supplements (which I need to take 30 minutes before eating) and grab a cold bottle filled with Celestial Seasonings iced tea.
In the living room, I do 35 minutes on the stationary bike along with five minutes of upper arm exercises using 10 pound weights. I have an exercise bike with several interval training settings on it, which keeps me challenged.
Since I started the Weight Watchers Momentum plan in February, I’ve been working out five or six times a week. My biggest motivation is that I can eat the POINTS I work off (35 minutes of moderate exercise is equal to two Weight Watchers POINTS), plus I love how my legs and rear end are finally toning up. Plus it’s my time to listen to morning NPR news, catch up with This American Life podcasts, or listen to music on my iPod.
I love working out in the quiet semi-darkness of the cool morning before everyone is up. It’s “me time” and it works – both for my fitness, my weight and my peace of mind.
Summer break and back to the rec center
With only four weeks left of the school year, I’m looking at potential schedule change when it comes to my fitness routine. Since the kids will be at summer YMCA camp, the morning routine will be the same. However, I’ll be dropping them off at a different school, which is by a rec center. So I’ve been thinking about taking some exercise classes, like yoga, which I haven’t done since I hurt my knee two summers ago. There’s Strength & Tone, Spin & Trim and Tai Chi classes that look interesting, too.
I used to regularly work out at the rec center when my daughter attended a preschool down the street from the facility. Now she’s at the “big kids school” it’s hard to find the time to go over there, thus my 5:30 a.m. exercise routine. I won’t work out if it isn’t convenient.
And that’s the bottom line for most people. If exercising at home isn’t an option, is your fitness facility located by school, shopping or work? If you travel a lot, is your workout club located in other cities? Is it open early, so you can go before work, or late after your spouse gets home to watch the kids? Do they have childcare when you need it and classes at the times you can attend?
Reviewing 24 Hour Fitness
That’s why looking into a national fitness chain like 24 Hour Fitness is an option. (You can check it out for yourself with their 7 Day Free Pass.)
Since it’s intimidating to try out a new facility, 24 Hour Fitness has asked me to evaluate their facility for a month and report back my experience to my readers.
(Through Six Apart Media, I’ve been given a free 30 day unlimited use pass, three 50 minute sessions with a personal trainer, and a stipend for my time since the nearest club is 45 minutes away from my home.)
I’m excited about using their facility, getting some workout tips from a personal trainer, and taking some yoga classes. Hope you’ll stop by my 24 Hour Fitness posts and join me.
