[Pillows]

Okay, so I wasn't working out before I saw this message board and website. Well, I wasn't immediately working out after I joined either. When I went to my doc and he said that I needed to start now, it wasn't a shock or something that I didn't know. I had been letting my depression over the weather and the waiting keep me from doing something positive for me. Well, the combination of guilt and the motivation of your dazzling conversations and stunning after pics have gotten me back into the gym. I went for the first time in a long time last Thursday, and then even returned with a friend Sunday afternoon. I started off on the bike, 4 miles in about 16 min, did some weight exercises, then ended up with the eliptical machine for a whopping 25 min, and almost 1 3/4 miles. That is the most that I have been able to do on the eliptical at one time ever. Okay, so I will admit that it felt great to keep working out until my much thinner friend said that she was done. I try hard not to be competitive since it has caused me to create injuries to my body in the past, but I actually wasn't feeling too awful today. My shoulders were a bit sore, along with my tummy, but all in all, not bad. I am actually really excited to return tomorrow afternoon. My son is sick and probably won't be going to school, but I will most likely just put him down for a nap like his sis and let my hubby handle it while I go take time out for me. After I have worked out I am on top of the world. I don't know why it is so hard to get there when I love it so much. So what is the best strategy according to you experts? What are your fave gym routines? My gym access here is awesome, they even have a massage chair during the week, a steam room, and a sauna. The only thing missing is on site daycare. Love you all and appreciate you sooooooo much. Take care and love yourselves.
Janae

[DocSanae]

You sound like you're doing great!!
Keep it up, but don't be competetive, remember, you are doing it for yourself, so keep it at the level that is good for your body, not your ego.
Incidentally, exercise is good medicine for depression as well, so you're killing two birds with one stone.
(okay, so I saw this post after I saw your Q about not getting body builder bulky, reading this, I think you are on the right track.)

Oh, yes, while your at it, since you have such a wonderful gym (drool, envy) why don't you start a movement for getting onsite daycare? It would be a great idea that would help not only you, but others.
Good luck!

[CraigT]

Pillows, I started to sweat just reading your post.... Great job Kiddo.

[Pillows]

Thanks, the gym here totally rocks. the aerobic machines like bikes, eliptical, and treadmills all have tv screens with cable access. You just have to bring earphones to listen to it. I feel really fortunate to have access to this gym free of charge, but it really does come with a different price tag. I will have to do some talking about the concept of a daycare onsite, I don't know how easy that will be though since the funds seem to be short in the military lately. Maybe they could just provide the space and it could be run by people that want to volunteer like other places around base. I would be okay with taking a turn the days I work out, but that might make it too much time for some people out of their day to do that.
Janae