Bally or Belly?

After a year of debating whether or not I should join a gym, the decision has been made. A couple of weeks ago Cameron heard about a promotion Bally Total Fitness was running. That very evening we ran over to the gym to tour the facility and to get a few questions answered. Before long the paper work had been completed and I was an official member of Bally.

Getting exercise has always been important to me, even if it is just walking and pushing the stroller. However, on those bad weather days you need to have an alternative plan. I refuse to let the weather interfere with my ability or inability to get my heart pumping. The indoor plan left me with three options: 1) Use my community's fitness center 2) Do at home dvd workouts 3) Join a gym.

First, the community fitness center. To use my community's fitness center I would need to wake up early enough to get over there and back before my girl's awoke so as not to stall Cameron as he gets ready for his work day. For a few mornings, I set my alarm for 5am. My alarm did go off as a good little alarm should but I was just not ready to roll out of bed. I then decided that I was either not motivated enough to exercise or my sleep was much too important---both of which were true at 5am. The other possibility was to go in the evenings once the girls were down for the night. I was successful at doing this many times but I came home jittery and it took sometime before I was able to fall asleep.

Second, the dvd workouts. Cameron and I have attempted Billy Blanks Boot Camp but due to lack of space and having to watch the dvd on a laptop screen, it did not last for long.

Third, the gym. I really struggled with this option/decision because joining a gym involves money AND we already have free access to a fitness center which has enough equipment to get a decent workout. I would ask myself, "Why would anyone pay for a gym membership when they have one just 100 yds from their house?" The answer is......CHILD CARE. I love my girls to bits and pieces but lets face it, having young ones makes exercising more challenging.

For the past couple weeks it has worked out wonderfully. The girls and I get up, have breakfast, and are at the gym right when the child care center opens. I get in my workout, pick up the girls, and we are out of there before things get too crazy. I have LOVED working up a good sweat. There seems to be something about gyms that drives me and encourages me to perform and do my best. Is anyone else that way? I know some are a bit self conscious in settings like a gym but for me it motivates. I am trying my best to make exercising a daily routine in my life. As I make the time to exercise, I know my children will see it is a priority for me and will one day want that for themselves.

A special thanks to Bally and the childcare staff for bringing out the best in me! I leave feeling a more patient, loving, energized, and a healthier mother and wife.