I guess I am mainly needing encouragement...
In February I signed-up for a year gym membership to burn the fat after giving birth to our second child. I went faithfully 4 to 5 times a week up until May when I lost my second pregnancy of this year. Since then I have only been going once a week. Occasionally I will go twice a week and when I am extremely busy I don't go at all and just wait until the next week.
This huge drop off from going to the gym was started with my second pregnancy loss... but since then I have been losing weight doing nothing. I lost weight quickly after giving birth to our son and in May I figured out that I wasn't losing weight so quickly after giving birth to our daughter because I got pregnant again immediately twice which caused my weight to stabilize and to slowly start climbing until I lost the pregnancies.
Now that I am not pregnant and can't seem to get pregnant... I am losing weight doing nothing and I just don't feel like going to the gym especially since I am so busy with chasing both of my small children around, dancing on Wednesday nights, running around town constantly to grocery shop and do other errands...
I am 5'8" and the home scale this morning said I weigh 135.5 pounds and have 16% body fat. Last week the doctor weighed me and I was 140 lb and the gym machine said I was 18% body fat.... so I am somewhere between those numbers. I am also still nursing our 10 month old daughter and burning a lot of calories from that.
I don't feel bad about not going to the gym in the sense I am worried about weight... I am worried about the money that is being charged on my credit card monthly for my membership because I don't have the money to throw away. Should I be going to the gym even though I don't need it to burn fat?
I just want to put out there that I am not depressed. I am not sure where that was gotten...? I am a very enthusiastic and energetic individual that has excepted her losses and has moved on. Thank you for your concerns though.
There are other benefits to the gym--health! Cardio and all exercise are about more than just losing weight.
But I'd cancel the mebership rather than have it put on a credit card--debit or nothing--I'm a Dave Ramsay fan. It's a known fact that people pay more for stuff or buy what they don't need when it's going on a credit card rather than paying cash, so personally, I'd cancel the membership if you're not using it.
quit the gym.... and just take the kids for walks, watch what you eat.. you sound like you are in pretty good shape... quit!! and before they bill your cc again.
Quit. There are many other ways to reap the health benefits of the gym, including hauling your children around the neighborhood in a wagon every night for a walk.
I just hate gym memberships. I would look into cancelling the membership or seeing if it is possible to transfer your membership to someone else who can afford to pay for it.
Judging by your stats, you are far from overweight at your current height and weight. Many would be jealous and or envious of you for the height and weight. Sounds like you may want to just rearrange the furniture and tone up. I find 30 minutes of yoga or pilates with a fitness video does wonders for me. I also do well with an accountability partner.
Sorrow for the losses of the babies. You may want to wait before getting pregnant again. Your body needs time to heal and recover from giving birth in May. Pregnancy and birth takes much from your body like nutrients, musclestone, and hormones go wacky. Give your body a chance to get back to it's best before trying to carry another pregnancy to term and remember your vitamins as you prepare for more children.
Good luck and God bless you and yours.
no, stop the membership it's a waste of money at this time.. However, since you do seem concerned about your health in general and while I don't consider 18% bad at all, I do think exercise for STRESS and DEPRESSION?? might be the reason you want to be doing something for YOURSELF.. that said, you can always go back to the gym... right? for now... and since you have little spare time it sounds like. how about going to an aerobics class? like say Jazzercise ??? for now, allow your body to heal itself both physically and emotionally from the miscarriages.. IF all things are a go, then your body, when its ready, may get pregnant again..
don't over rush matters. for now, it's vitally important that you heal emotionally which sounds like is part of the problem here... once you get that corrected, the physical aspect will fall into place..
best of luck
Hi Prairie---Going to a gym, or working out regularly, has benefits far beyond weight management. What is most important right now is for you to decide on how you want to prioritize and schedule your day and money.
Exercise ranks right up there with diet, sleep, water and stress reduction as one of the components of optimal health. Running after kids, cleaning the house and mowing the lawn are all great activities and use calories that might help with weight. But this sort of activity does not challenge the muscles or the cardiovascular system. Challenging the body is what makes it stronger and more resilient, especially as we age. You know, the old saying, use it or lose it, is very appropriate here. There are so many benefits to 'working out' that I can't list them here.
Your membership could be considered part of your health insurance plan, as you are investing in your health. I also feel, that for me, if I don't leave the house to work out, I tend to let other things distract me and I don't get my work out done. It also sets a good example for your kids in encouraging fitness type activities for them as well. Help them to develop this positive life-long habit.
I encourage you to consider scheduling your work out sessions and continue, at least until your current membership runs out. At that time you can reevaluate. I know life is crazy with little ones, but sometimes that 'mommy' time alone can be a godsend. Good luck with whatever you do. In health, D.
I'd quit the gym, or if possible freeze the memborship, that way when you are ready or want to return you don't have additional fees to sign up again.
You must be in terrific shape! That is a seriously low body fat to have...many athletes are at that who work out constantly. If you are under 30 then I would quit the gym while I took care of my younger kids and lived my life, gettin exercise through enjoyable activities instead. However, the health benefits of exercise are particularly important as you get a little older-not just for keeing slim but for bone, cardiac health and flexibilty.
