Working out DOES get results

it's only been 2 weeks but my clothes fit much differently!

and today, i had a man tell me his day was made for seeing me.....he was a beer delivery man, but still!!!!   

i've got a smile on my face, and i've not even showered!

Good for you!! 
Working out makes you feel better overall, I find. And getting compliments is a definite motivator.

Fantastic news!  This was perfect timing, as I'm finally beginning to go to the gym today after a 4-month lapse.

What kind of stuff are you doing, Aimiloo - cardio, weights, both?

aless, i do spinning class 2 times a week, then i do either a weight session or a body pump session, a class with lifting weights.  it's freaking TOUGH, i was in pain for 4 days after that class due to all the squats!!!!

It's great when you start to see the fruits of your labor.

I had been doing the elliptical trainer and yoga for a while, and was seeing some results. But then over the summer I added in a weight and strengthening program to my gym routine, and my body really started to completely change shape. It's amazing! The funniest part is that the book where I got the exercises from has the cheesiest title "6 Weeks to a Hollywood Body." I would have never picked it up, but I had seen good reviews of it, and decided it to give it a try. The exercises are simple and effective, and only require a stability ball and weights. You just have to ignore the silly cover and title

Aimiloo, if you ever discover the joys of home exercise, you really will be hooked for life. xx

spinning class!  wow!   that was one of the  times in life when i felt close  to death..   

spinning class!  wow!   that was one of the  times in life when i felt close  to death..   

me too! and when I did it, I was in really good shape...I thought. 

Spinning RULES and it's so addictive! 

What is killing me recently is the body pump classes I've added. OW! Squats and lunges hurt! 

body pump HURTS LIKE A MO FO!!!!!!  I'm doing that once a week or doing weights once a week!

Carla, i don't think i'll ever be a work out at home person, unless it's yoga.  I need the structure and motivation of classes.  At home I much rather walk to fitness!

Spinning kills me but when i was doing it a few times a week i was so skinny.  So, i'm back on the spinning horse 2 times a week!

I'm still at 152.  It's making me a bit annoyed now to be at the same weight for almost 2 weeks but at least my clothes are fitting better!

Body pump sounds interesting, though I absolutely HATE squats.  I'll have to see if my gym offers it (I know they don't have spinning).  Kinda like an aerobic weight-lifting session, I gather?

I JUST got back into the gym after a 4-month break, so I'm definitely hunting around for routine ideas, since it's basically like starting from scratch again.

aless, if you can afford it, get one session with a trainer.  talk about your goals and then have them set up a programme for you

that's what i've done.  I've had a few, where they have measured my body fat % (scary) and we set goals and she gave me a number of weights to do for the weeks i don't do body pump.

then i meet with her in a few weeks for a short session so she can check i'm working out the right way still, then a few weeks after that i have a 6 week check up to check my % again.

it's actually a programme i spent £25.00 on only and i work with her 4 times, from measuring and goal setting to working out and monitoring.

I love fitness first for that, it was a great joining tool!!!!

Haha...spinning class. I remember the first time I tried it, after the first few minutes I started freaking out that I would never make it through the 45 minutes, and started thinking about ways that I could sneak out without disturbing the other riders. It got easier after a few classes, but everytime I stop going regularly, I remember how hard that first class was and talk myself out of going. Really must try to do it again. I've never sweat so much in my life as when I so a spinning class!

Aimiloo--so would you recommend Fitness First overall? I'm looking for a gym in London, and had heard some mixed reviews of FF. I'm sure like most gym chains it depends on the individual location, but would love to hear your thoughts. The other one in my neighborhood is Holmes Place. Any thoughts?

Aimiloo--Just wanted to add about being frustrated by staying the same weight--don't forget about all the muscle you are adding! It weighs more than fat, so don't get discouraged. If your clothes fit better, you are definitely losing inches!

i don't mind them but know that i am really only using them for the classes.  the one i go to is TINY and if i even liked the gym, i'd not belong there.  When i was loving the gym i belonged to Gymbox in high holburn and that is the BEST gym to me.  i loved it. 

Holmes place is good too i think, you just gotta look around and see what is right for you!