Sophie - You're completely right about it needing to be the 'right' gym. I'm the same as you and would hate a gym full of posers. There's a gym (one of those cheap no contract ones) less than 5 minutes from my house but it just looks full of teenagers and chavs! I really wouldn't feel comfortable working out in that environment, so no matter how much I tell myself its great value I'd never ever go!
The only problem with a lot of the other ones is the fact they all try to tie me into a 12 month contract. I'm kinda hesitant to take one up as I've been a gym member several times before and I've always been stuck in long contracts without really making the most of it. I'm a great position now though to get myself exercising more as I'll be finishing work at 1pm from now on and so long as I can fit uni work in it's a great routine to incorporate exercise into. I mean seriously, if I can't do it now when I have a fantastic schedule, will I ever be able to do it when I'm at uni full time and working from Sept? Erm, nope.
That just reminds me actually, I read the article you posted about willpower yesterday, very interesting read! (If anyone is reading this and wants to take a look its here
The science of willpower: Kelly McGonigal on sticking to resolutions | TED Blog) It made me think a lot about my motivations for the gym - i.e is it something I WANT to do, or something I feel that I SHOULD do? I honestly think I want to do it, but more for the results than any deep seated love of exercise. Don't get me wrong I enjoy exercise once I'm at the pool/gym and feel great for the rest of the day, its just getting me there in the first place that's the problem! I do want to change though and get more active, I just really need to consider my options, visit a few gyms and find the right one for me. And like you say it shouldn't be about money, you really can't put a price on your health. I honestly won't mind paying for an expensive gym if that's what it takes for me to actually go and enjoy it!
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As you can see I'm still indecisive about the whole gym thing! I've already requested a free trial day at the Fitness Unlimited gym near to work, so hopefully can get that arranged soon. In total I've got 3 options:
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Pure gym - £18 per month - classes and gym but no pool
- 5 minutes from home
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Fitness unlimited - £29 per month (corporate rate through work) - 5 different sites across Sheffield (one next to work and 2 near home) - pools, exercise classes, gyms - bit grotty
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Virgin Gym 1 - £42 per month - pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, exercise classes, gym - 5 minutes from home
I'm tempted to just say sod price and go with the Virgin gym, but its worth properly looking into it first rather than rushing. I just think if I'm going regularly I'd get my moneys worth for the sake of £10 more... it's only if I wasn't using it I'd be glad I picked the £18 one, and I'm not giving myself that option!
Anyway sorry for boring you all silly with this gym nonsense!
On a more exciting note it's Friiiidaaayyyy! Woop! It's gonna be a busy one for me this weekend getting the coursework finished, but tonight I'm uni free and visiting Chris's parents and going to the cinema. We haven't been in a couple of weeks so it'll feel like a nice change, Chris has been nagging about seeing Grand Budapest Hotel for ages so we're off to see that.
I'm having serious withdrawal symptoms from socialising lately, it's all down to this uni work, so when its out of the way next Wed I've got lots of plans for catching up with friends and going out for movies/meals/you name it! It's not going to be very SW friendly, but after being a social hermit for the last few weeks I want to let my hair down a little. I hate making healthy choices when I eat out, but I'll try and limit the off plan meals to just 1 or 2. I'm desperate to try this new BBQ restaurant called Smoke, it's been getting rave reviews from friends and colleagues so can't wait to finally go!
Week 32, Day 3 - EE
Breakfast - Chewy D - 5 syns
Snack - 2 munchies - 2 syn
Lunch - Ham sarni with tomato and 2 slices wm bread - hexb + 6 syns
Snack - Grapes and 2 x mini babybels (hexa)
Tea - Chicken casserole with potato, peas, swede, mushrooms, gravy - 2 syns
Total - 14 syns
Fairly high syn day today but most of those syns comprise extra hexb's as I've actually had 3 today (chewy D and 2 slices wm bread). Hopefully that'll get the pf paying me a visit soon. She needs to get a skuttle on though as I haven't been for days! The pasta I've been eating more of lately really hasn't helped my digestion one bit!
Seriously nervous about WI on Sunday as I don't feel lighter at all. If anything the post * week bloat is beginning, ugh. Will honestly be happy with half a pound this week and I never thought I'd be saying that!