changing my life from flab to FAB!

I've always hated the gym. I'd rather lay in bed or on the couch watching TV than walk on the treadmill that makes me feel like a hamster.

Now that i'm seeing results from weight lifting and fat burning i'm really starting to love it. The results have taken a while to show but i kept at it and didn't quit like i would have done in the past and now its paying off! Since i loathe the treadmill and only go on it when absolutely necessary my workouts of choice are all of the classes! Every day of the week i have all of the classes and times programmed into my calendar on my iphone so i know what i'll be doing each day. Some days consist of more than once class in a row for extra calorie burns. From Weight lifting to Turbo Kick i make sure to switch up my workouts everyday for a full body burn.  It's important to keep your body guessing on which workouts you'll be doing each day because the body begins to plateau every 4 weeks so either increase the weights you use each month in lifting or change up your cardio style in order to keep losing.

I've also started to love the gym because i realize it a really positive enviornment to be in. EVERYONE at the gym is there for the SAME puropse in one way or another.  Weight loss, fitness, health, staying in shape etc... we all love our bodys so much that we are willing to take the time and honor it with a good workout!

Watching other people run on the treadmill (because i can't) and lift heavier weights than i can is inspiring, motivating and encouraging.
It's that 1 hour (or more depending on your workout routine) that we dedicate to ourselves that makes a positive physical and mental effect on our bodies and its great to be around other people who feel the same way!

In addition to a great workout, i feel that the ambiance of the gym also plays a key factor in enjoying the gym. I've joined many gyms that were boring, dull and didn't have much to offer and it make it kind of unbearable to be there.  Now that i've joined a gym with various amenities that i never thought i'd need it really makes a difference in my enjoyment.  I joined 24 Hour Fitness in December.  My gym has towel service, a smoothie bar, personal tv on ever piece of equipment, lockers with custom personalized lock codes (so you don't have to bring a lock everyday) clean environment, showers, shampoo, hair dryers, TVs in the locker rooms, full sized mirrors, there are A LOT of classes that are INCLUDED in the price of the membership as well...i mean really anything you can possibly imagine at an affordable rate as well. There aren't any women that dress sexy and try and show off on the treadmill or any muscle meathead men trying to bench 600lbs either... those small things make a difference in your comfort level of being at the gym. It's defiantly worth taking a 1 day pass at various gyms to determine which one fits best into your comfort level and lifestyle!

Determining your workout style and comfort level at the gym is the key to changing your love/hate relationship with the gym into pure love :)