GRRRrrrr gonna kill my hubby!!!

[Momof3greatgirls]

Hi gang,
I have lost 125 pounds since april 19th of this year. I have not exercised though. So I went and joined the gym and hired a trainer,who I will meet with 2 times a week for a hour at a time. I did this now becasue my weight loss has slowed to about 5 pounds a month and I still have 70 pounds to lose. My hubby is freaking out at the cost. The gym is an hour away ( and the closest gym to us ) , so by the time you factor in gas, ect it comes to $400 a month. I need to do this for me. I have free weights at home, I don't use, and I am not the type to exercise at home or alone. I know the only way I am going to ge the exercise in is to go to the gym. I need to do this, can someone help me with how to tell thei to hubby. I keep saying I need to do this, and he keeps saying it will cost $400 a mont. We have the $ to do it, we don't have a lot of extra cash every month but we can cover this. I am just going to freaking ring his neck.

HELP

Amy

[chicamarun]

I'm assuming the trainer is extra? Usually they give you 1x free just to get you going.

I can tell you my husband would probably kill me too However, maybe you can help explain that you won't need the trainer forever and that will reduce some of the cost eventually.

Does the gym have any special that you can pay a full year and get it cheaper? I know my husband called up a gym I belonged to at one point and sure enough they took off over $200 (and this was about 10 years ago). Same with training sessions - reserve a certain # and get a % off.

Also - you may find a workout buddy while you are there I'm personally a solo person once I get started - but having a buddy always helps!!

[Momof3greatgirls]

The $400 includes gas the gym fee of $44 month ( which is a yearly rate, it is $75 monthly ) and the trainer is $54 week for 2 one hour sessions.

Amy

[hrgillespie]

Amy I would get the trainer to get you started and then maybe set up once a month where you can show him or her where your at and get advice. I so totally agree that your worth it so please don't get me wrong but if hubby is freaking about money then saving more then half of what your paying might settle him down a bit ......... the trainer is what is making it so expensive.

[hrgillespie]

By the way I forgot to mention WOWOWOOWOWOW on the weight loss to date you are doing fantastic!!!!!!!! Amazing!!!!!!

[Hudson]

Well let's see $400 a month in a tax free account. About $85,000 in 10 years and about a million in 30 years.

My thoughts.
Your weight loss is almost entirely what you eat.
You can buy the gym equipment used for very cheep.
Finding a buddy to exercise with would probably do you more good than the gym.
Most folks buy the gym membership and never use it.

But ---- If you are absolutely sure. I would suggest a one time trial. See how you like it, and then negotiate. You should probably come back from the first session as a changed woman - including being very glad to see you husband - if you know what I mean.

[Momof3greatgirls]

Actually it is the gas that is costing the most the gym plus tainer will be $196/month, the rest is gas at over $3 per gallon

LOL Hudson you sound like my hubby. Then there is the 2 cans of monster a day he drinks at 2$ per can, so that is 14$/week, $56 per month, $672 a year. The dr pepper ect that he takes in is almost equal the that. It is all about your priorities. Just like a smoker smoker puffs away endless amounts of $.
I have to disagree with the weight loss being entirely what you eat statement. Exercise increases muscle which burns more calories while resting than fat does, so faster weight loss. Also when you exercise it will increase you CLL, allowing you more freedom in what you may choose to eat, plus it makes you feel better,and tones under the loose skin. I have not exercised up till now becasue before it took all I had to climb the stairs in my home, now I run up them 2 at a time.



Amy

[chicamarun]

Yep gas prices stink!

And I agree with a lot of what you are saying - my husband (love the man dearly) loves my treadmill.... granted I can't use it anymore because of my knees.... but when I am on it and working out regularly - well lets just say life is a lot more fun So honestly - that CAN be a selling point - LOL.

Are there other things you can cut back on to make the gas even more worth it for you and in your own eyes?

[julirama723]

Momof3greatgirls--

I think the gym is a great idea if it's something that you can keep up with, money-wise and time-wise. How many times are you planning on going to the gym per month? What will it "cost" you each time you go? At my gym, I have a yearly membership ($420/year) so each month is $35. I go to the gym at least 5x/week, so that's about 20 times in one month. Basically, it costs me $1.75 each time I go. Is that worth it? YES! In the winter, I can't run outside, so my cardio has to be done indoors. The gym also offers classes, and the gym has an awesome weight room, something I would never be able to afford if I wanted to outfit my home with the same stuff! To me, it is worth the cost.

I have a hard time exercising at home because I'm not "conditioned" to do work or exercise at home, so I understand your desire to join a gym! If you can afford it, try it out.

I would suggest having a few sessions with the trainer, and then taking the knowledge that s/he gives you and working on your own. In the beginning, a trainer is absolutely necessary if you plan on lifting weights (which you should!) because they will help you with posture, form, positioning, etc. so you gain muscle, not injuries. Why not try a month of sessions, see what you learn from it, and see if you can continue your workouts on your own? That would save on money.

$400 a month *is* a lot. Do you have a friend that would want to go to the gym with you? At least you could carpool and save on gas money. If you don't work with the trainer consistently (maybe just working with the trainer every 3 months or so?) that will save cash, too.



True, weight loss is about 80% what you put into your body. But the benefits of exercise cannot be overlooked. You'll be healthier, feel better, have more muscle tone, be stronger, have better cardiovascular endurance, have more energy, and probably feel more confident!

[Adena]

Amy, if your gym has classes... especially toning classes like Group Power or Body Pump -- they can give you a very similar workout to what a trainer will offer. And, it's included in your membership! And of course, the cardio classes are great for you, too -- and fun!

Maybe as a compromise you can consider giving up the training part of it, at least after a few weeks. I like the idea of a monthly check in with a trainer. That might make your husband feel a little better and sems like a reasonable compromise.

I was told my one of the class instructors at my gym (Gold's) that a trainer is great if you NEED the motivation (you won't do it on your own) or you are at the point where you already have a workout/strength routine, but really want to sculpt your muscles. It sounds like there's a lot of progress you can make for now with just the gym membership alone -- maybe consider adding the trainer back in down the road?

Whatever you do, good luck to you, and enjoy your new fitness routine!