Changes for 2006--Any "Jazzercisers" or YMCA members here?

[goofy4wdw59]

For 2006, I've made a commitment to regular exercise (something I've never been good at ).
In early January, I joined "Jazzercise" and our local YMCA. I go to each 2 or 3 times a week--a complete turn-around for me!
I have a neighour that's been in Jazzercise for years and it seems to work very well for her. She mentioned it a couple of times to me in the past and I've avoided it as I thought it was something I couldn't stick with (thought I wouldn't be able to keep up, I'd be the biggest one, I'd drop out, etc.)
I'm happy to say that my experience has been positive. There are people of all ages and shapes. What's encouraging is that many of the regulars are toned & in good shape--they look healthy!
I was also afraid of joining the YMCA (so self-conscious) but I get on the machines/treadmill and stay very focused on why I'm there--to lose weight and improve my health.
I've noticed that I have more energy, have better focus, & feel like my body is slowly toning up. Just wondering what experience(s) others have? Now, I think I can commit to one of the WISH exercise challenges!
My remaining stumbling block is reducing food portions and sticking with a diet...these long-term changes don't happen overnight do they?

 

[KarenAylwood]

I totally agree with you! I haven't done Jazzercise, but I joined the YMCA in September and with commuting an hour each way to school I didn't go all that often, but made a decision for February that I was GOING to get healthy. I've been going 6 days a week and absolutely love it. I use a different combination of cardio machines each day and got set up on their FitLinxx system- do that have that at your Y? There is a computer system hooked up to weight machines. At each station (13 machines in all) you type in your number and it tells you what settings you are on (seat and stuff) and what weight you lifted last and is set up for your own personal range of motion so it tells you when you're doing a full rep. (you get a 30 minute setup with a Y employee to set up your settings, starting weight, etc). And it's included in your Y membership too!! I LOVE it and I've noticed that adding weights to my workout twice a week has made a big difference. I've worked out on and off for years but never did weights- it really helps! And essentially the more muscle I'm making, the more my body is burning calories even at rest!

The system also allows you to log in your cardio workouts and there is a point system where you can get awards (gym bag, socks, tshirt) depending on the number of points you have!

This combined with the South Beach Diet has given me obvious changes within only two and a half weeks so far! And it's something I can stick with too

goofy~ taking the initiative to try this stuff and making the commitment is the first step! The diet changes will follow, you just have to keep working at it. Look into south beach- it's an awesome diet- and one that's more of a way of life than a diet- something you can stick with for the rest of your life!

 

[goofy4wdw59]

Sorry it took me awhile to get back here!--Thanks for the post KarenA!
I think I'm set up with FitLinxx--I enter a personal ID number and it records how much time I workout on the treadmill and other cardio machines.
I also use the circuit? machines (12 of them)--I think they're what you are using?. They told me these are suppose to be comparable to "curves". I go around twice, doing 12 reps on each machine and that usually takes 30 minutes if I don't stop in-between.
I haven't checked out the heavier weight machines in the cardio room yet--I'm waiting to do that. Also, there are other classes (like "cardio blast", etc) included that are offered early in the morning--I may check these out sometime too. And I need to find out about the point system/get more info on what my Y offers.
Yes, I love that this is all included in the Y membership--you can't go wrong. Also, a couple of times a week, I put my 3-yo DD in the available babysitting while I workout. Definitely worth it!
I'm doing better with my eating--I like the low-carb diet approach--maybe I'll check out the South Beach diet. I do need something I can stick with.

I'm hanging in there with the Jazzercise too!