I got a rec membership

[Zoe Girl]

so I finally did it. I have went to the city rec centers but it was so easy to say the $6 was too much that day and not go. I have one rec center near my house and one near my work so the regional type membership where you can go anywhere in the city works well. There are lots of pools, some centers are older but every one has been well maintained and modern and most with pools. Still it took me a year to really think about it, I earn extra money when I work summer hours and got some of that already so I was hesitating, then i found out you can pay monthly. That is about $30 a month! If anyone in the family joins their membership is 1/2 price, plus under 25 is a cheaper membership. My son can get a free membership for being a student in the district but he is being a pain.

I am back after my vacation and I realize I can go exercise without stressing about how much I spent on vacation.

[Gardenarian]

That's a great deal! Have you been for a swim yet? Do they have other resources? (gym, weight room, tennis, etc.)

[Zoe Girl]

They have gym, weight room, lots of cardio type machines like treadmills and stair climbers, and then classes. I usually do the treadmill so I can see where I am in building back up some time and endurance after struggling with asthma the last few months. A few years ago I could start running from not running for months and be at an 11 minute mile the first day. I am struggling with 15 minute miles which is so hard. I had to change my goal to 13 minute miles within a month depending on asthma, on outside run days I do not time.

[Gardenarian]

That's a lot for $30, and good for you for keeping up despite the asthma. I'm fortunate that we have cool summers here, so it's almost always fine weather for hiking. I envy runners, though! My body is just not made for it - I get shin splints, achilles problems...but I do love hiking.

[Zoe Girl]

Thanks Gardnerian, It is one of those expenses that I keep on saying no to and I am just being cheap, not frugal. I have nothing to compare to so I am glad others think it is a good deal. The best part of the deal for me is that I can go to any of the centers and unlike a 24 hour fitness most of them have pools. It helps my body but the immediate benefit I see is in my brain functioning so I can get some encouragement there. The weight and even my shape are really not changing, ah well.

[sweetana3]

It takes time. It is usual for Americans to expect immediate results from everything. Weight loss and changing a body BMI and shape are gradual and should be to be retained.

I have spent 8 weeks losing 10 pounds and am thrilled. It did not help much that one man lost 13 pounds one week and a woman lost 8 but I am planning on keeping it off and losing safely.

[Zoe Girl]

my frustration really comes from how hard I have tried the last couple years to keep up the exercise routine I had. I am in my mid-40's so I expect some weight gain, when I was younger I was the type that never gained weight so I can't get all cranky about it now (mostly my shape changed and I don't have a waist so much).

My job is in part supporting healthy living for people in low income areas, I work closely with a grant specifically around health disparities. Like most non-profit jobs it can creep up and take over too much time. So I adjusted my goals, am not signing up to run some 5K soon, and if I can work up to 5 miles at 10 minutes a mile I will be feeling amazing.