Are Gym Programs Worth The Money?

This is a question that we all struggle with. We think about all the times we tried to lose weight and didn't. It seems we always quit after a few months so why spend a lot of money. And I understand. I lost my body fat without spending any money, so why should you. My opinion is that when you make up your mind that you're going to do this, you will finally do the research and find a program that will work for you.  It doesn't take money. Throwing money at any problem has never been the solution.

This article first appeared on MyFitnessPal.com and gives you the pros and cons of these gym programs. Okay, but remember I'm not talking about gym memberships, they do seem to work. It's those classes like "spinning" or "aerobics". These classes are not for beginners. Don't be fooled by the instructors at the gym. They make extra money sells these classes and they get paid whether you finish or not. If you're out of shape you want to start slow. You don't want an injury.

When resolution season rolls around, we’re all faced with the tough question: Is spending money on pricey, high-end wellness trends really worth it? Sometimes it feels like you have to choose between your personal fitness and the fitness of your bank account. The not-so-simple answer to this question is it’s complicated. To see which trends really are worth the extra cash, check out our list of worth it picks — plus three to skip.

LUXURY GYMS: WORTH IT

Luxury gyms can seem like a waste of money — especially when you can get access to a treadmill or a set of dumbbells just as easily at your local budget gym. But according to economists, there’s merit to shelling out for a luxury gym. The theory is that paying more for your membership will actually make you more likely to use it. Since wasting a $10 per month membership feels much less painful than spending $300 each month for a membership you don’t use, going luxury may just be the motivation you need to stick to a gym schedule.  This is the upside of Luxury Programs, but you want to remember that most of these programs are pretty tough. They are not for the timid. They work you very hard because they want you to see results quickly. But you have to be in pretty good shape just to take the punishment.

LUXURY BOOTCAMPS: NOT WORTH IT

At nearly $40 per class, these classes talk a big game that they don’t necessarily live up to. Yes, their HIIT-style workouts can be effective, but they use moves and equipment you can re-create yourself at a less-expensive gym. If you really want to get the full “boot camp” experience while still saving money, have your gym buddy yell at you drill sergeant-style throughout your sweat session.

MEAL DELIVERY SERVICES: WORTH IT

According to many estimates, meal delivery services tend to shake out to be about the same price as groceries. This means that not only will you guarantee yourself a healthy meal, you’ll be saving time (and time is money) by not having to make your weekly trip to the market. You might even pick up enough cooking skills to cross cooking classes off your list of resolutions.

ORGANIC FOODS: NOT WORTH IT… IN MOST CASES

As you probably know by now, buying organic isn’t cheap. Because organic farms are often smaller and don’t use chemicals in the growing and harvesting process, it takes them more time to produce the same amount of food as compared with larger, non-organic farms. Since time is money, you can expect a markup. Conventional wisdom has held that shelling out for organic alternatives is naturally healthier for you, but research has thrown that belief into question. According to the 2012 study, in most cases, there’s not enough scientific evidence to back up the better-for-you claims.

TRAVELING FITNESS MEMBERSHIPS: WORTH IT

Depending on your city, memberships that let you attend a variety of boutique classes can get quite pricey, prompting many potential users to hesitate before committing. Will you really make it to three classes a week? Luckily, many of these memberships help remove some of that workout doubt by adding an extra incentive. If you don’t make it to a class you signed up for, you’ll still be charged, effectively silencing all those last-minute thoughts of hitting the snooze.

LUXURY YOGA STUDIOS: NOT WORTH IT

Whether or not to pony up for a high-end yoga class is a fairly divisive topic. On one hand, many yogis find the practice to be about total wellness, including pampering yourself with the amenities that many luxe spots offer. However, others argue that the practice should be a bare-boned, egalitarian focus on the body. Since high-quality free yoga classes, outdoor yoga meetups and YouTube yoga tutorials are incredibly easy to find, skip the expensive memberships and treat yourself to the occasional spa day to round out your wellness routine. You can also find free Yoga classes in your neighborhood on the internet.

LUXURY CYCLING STUDIOS: IT DEPENDS

The rise of pricey cycling options made the exercise bike cool again. But as most devotees will tell you, these classes are more about the spirit than the Spinning. Classes feature a distinctly clubby feel and DJ-curated playlists to provide the soundtrack to motivational mantras, distracting you to the point where you almost forget you’re working out. If going to the gym is a struggle for you, the added dose of fun and energy is totally worth the per-class price. But if you enjoy your gym time and don’t need fist-pumping music to get motivated, save your pennies to upgrade your gym membership and use the spin bikes there.

You can tweet me at #ray0369

I write several blogs and ebooks, check out some of my other sites.
gettingtoahealthyweight.blog
idropped40pounds.wordpress.com
howbaddoyouwanttoloseweight.blogspot.com
blogonlosingweight.com
blogonweight.blogspot.com

If you really want to lose your body fat than look for my Ebooks at the websites listed below. You'll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet. Instead of spending hours on the internet reading dozens of posts, you can save time by picking up one of my ebooks.
There are two ebooks. “How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?” is available at all the online bookstores selling for $1.99. Go to any of the websites below and search the title to find my Ebook. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, B&N.com, iBooks, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.
My new ebook is available on Smashwords.com, just type “getting to a Healthy Weight” in the search box at the top of the home page. I’ll give you a discount coupon you can use at checkout. (PJ42H) not case-sensitive the price is $1.99 w/coupon

Set Goals When You Start A Walking Routine

By Wendy Bumgardner

It is time to commit yourself to better health, fitness, and a body you love. To make this a reality, we have tools you can use to help you build and keep your walking habit.

There are four facets to setting up a new habit for a lifetime.

• First, set clear and realistic goals.
• Second, keep yourself on a schedule so that the habit sticks.
• Third, monitor your progress and reward yourself for success.
• Fourth, keep it interesting.

How to Set Great Fitness Goals

The essentials of a good fitness goal are:

• Realistic: The goal should be challenging, but realistically achievable. Don't set you sights too low, but also don't set yourself up for failure.
• Measurable: Your goal should be stated in a way that can be measured. How many miles a week? How many pounds or inches to lose? What 10K distance time? Finishing a marathon by what date?
• Dated: Set dates by which you will attain the goal and intermediate goals along the way.
• Written down: Your goal should be made concrete so you can review it.
• Track your progress: Keep your goal in sight and see what steps you are making towards attaining it.
• Celebrate success: Along the way when you reach new milestones, it is time to celebrate. And when you achieve your overall goals, don't hold back - reward yourself.

Setting Realistic and Measurable Goals

You will have to know how fit you are now and what is possible.

For weight loss, do not set a goal of losing more than 1-2 pounds a week or 5-10 pounds a month, and plan for plateaus along the way. For increasing speed and distance, plan for increasing no more than 10-15% a week in order to prevent injury and allow muscles to repair and build.

Dating Your Goals

One of the best ways to set a date in concrete is to apply it to a major walking event.

If you want to be able to walk a certain distance or have a speed goal, find an upcoming walking event and register for it.  Not only will this make the goal concrete, it will also reward you for attaining it, especially if you register for an event at a great destination you've been wanting to visit.

Writing Down Your Goals

• You can note your goal on your paper or online calendar. On a paper calendar, this can be a simple note on the date. With an online calendar, set an automatic repeating reminder so you will be prompted to record your progress towards your goal.
• Your fitness tracker may have goal setting built into its app or online dashboard, such as with Fitbit. Take advantage of this function and use it to set and track your goals.
• You may prefer to use a goal-setting app, which will guide you so you create an achievable goal.

If you really want to lose the extra flab you can get help, I write 4 blogs and I’ve written two E-books. Read some of my other blog posts.

Gettingtoahealthyweight.wordpress.com

idropped40pounds.wordpress.com

howbaddoyouwanttoloseweight.blogspot.com

blogonweight.blogspot.com

E-books are the easiest and cheapest way to learn about any subject without groping through hundreds of websites looking for the material you want.

My first e-book is “HowBadDoYouWantToLoseWeight” and it sells for $2.99 on most online bookstores like Amazon.com, BN.com, iBook, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, and Gardner books in the U.K.

My second e-book is available in the same stores. And on smashwords.com. If you use the Smashwords promotional code You can get my second book for $1.99 (TL96R). Just type in the search line “getting to a healthy weight”.

Do You Want To Be Thin?

Some people believe "if I just lose a little weight, I can be thin too". Well, I never found it that easy. I guess I learned the hard way. I was always a little heavy. Even back in High School I was what my family called chubby. After I finished school I worked as a truck driver unloading the truck by hand at every stop I made, usually about 40 stops a day. After about 5 years I changed to a construction worker. I did heavy construction, steel and concrete for bridges and tunnels, the money was better and I had a family to think about.

Both the jobs were hard work and I lost about 10 pounds without trying. I was just burning several thousand calories a day. I was 6 foot tall and weighed about 172. After I left contruction and bought a small business, I started to gain weight. I was 32 years old and the next 5 years following I gained about 20 pounds, and before I was 40, I weighed about 220 pounds.

Everyone I knew had noticed and I started to feel self-conscious.  I knew I had to lose weight. I had settled into a lifestyle of self-indulgence. Finally I joined a Health Club. It was a complete gym with machines, running track, aerobics classes, a separate room for weight lifters, a pool, jacuzzi, steam room and expansive locker room with towels provided.

I did get a lot of exercise but I didn't lost much weight and after a few years I stopped going. Like most people I was pretty discouraged through out my 40's and then after I sold my business I finally got serious about losing weight.

So the reason I'm writing about myself is because I want you to know that my battle with my weight went on for more than 20 years. But yes I did win the battle because I never quit. I weight 165 today after more then 30 years of trying to lose weight. I reached my goal now and just work on maintaining my weight. And even maintaining is a battle, an everyday battle of watching my calories and exercising. I have no regrets, the exercise has made me a healthier person and staying thin in my senior years lets me be active. I ride a bike, swim, walk a lot, I do yoga and weight train twice a week.

Being thin can be challenging, for some people it comes easy. Their born with the right genes and they can process food without absorbing the fat. Others like me have to work at it. But if I would have taken some advice when I was younger it might have been easier.

I always thought I could do it the easy way. "I'll diet for a few weeks and I'll be thin and ready for the summer." That was a pipe dream, it never happened. Sure, it's easy to drop 5 or 10 pounds, but in a couple weeks it comes right back. I wasn't serious about my weight, oh sure I wanted to lose weight, but doing what was necessary never happened.

I didn't get serious until I started to feel sluggish, I was tired in the afternoon, my joints started to ache and walking became a chore. My whole adult life I was in denial about my weight and maybe that was because it didn't bother me to be overweight. Then you get older and you start to feel the affects of carrying around the extra pounds, but your still in denial and think the aches and pains are because your getting older but it's not, it's from carrying around the extra weight and because you aren't active enough it's getting harder to carry the extra weight and your heart is starting to strain under the extra work it has to do.

I think I wrote about this before, but being a little over-weight isn't going to keep you from living a healthy life. You can be just as healthy as a thin person if you do regular exercise. If your not exercising your heart will wear down from the extra strain. Extra weight causes extra strain on your heart and at the later years of middle age your heart can start to give you trouble. So actually, if your an overweight person, exercise is more important.

Carrying extra fat especially in the waistline is the hardest fat to lose,  and it's the most dangerous to your heart. I don't really understand why, but most of us start to put on the extra pounds in our thirties and forties. Like me though, we don't work at losing it until it starts to cause problems. By that time you can lose the ambition to lose fat and that's probably why you see so many seniors overweight.

If you truly want to be thin, you want to do something about it when your young enough to have motivation to make the hard choices and get into the exercise routine before it becomes too hard on your body. It's only recently that studies have shown us that extra inches around your waist will shorten your life. The bigger your waist, the shorter your life. Do something about your weight now, while you still have the motivation.

If you really want to lose the extra flab you can get help, I write 4 blogs and I’ve written two E-books. Read some of my other blog posts.

Gettingtoahealthyweight.wordpress.com

idropped40pounds.wordpress.com

howbaddoyouwanttoloseweight.blogspot.com

blogonweight.blogspot.com

E-books are the easiest and cheapest way to learn about any subject without groping through hundreds of websites looking for the material you want.

My first e-book is “HowBadDoYouWantToLoseWeight” and it sells for $2.99 on most online bookstores like Amazon.com, BN.com, iBook, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, and Gardner books in the U.K.

My second e-book is available in the same stores. And on smashwords.com. If you use the Smashwords promotional code You can get my second book for $1.99 (TL96R). Just type in the search line “getting to a healthy weight”.

Diet Buddies

Yes, there is such a thing as a "diet buddy". When someone has a hard time sticking to a diet, after quitting your diet several times, you might be tempted to look for someone to give you "moral support". I know it sounds like a good idea but the success ratio is pretty bad. I know that sounds discouraging but it's the truth.

A blogger on WordPress that I try to read pretty often wrote about this very subject and at the end of her post it said, "If you're looking for that special someone to give you the encouragement to stick with it, simply look in the mirror." Wow, real words of wisdom.

I think by this time you have probably guessed that I'm not in favor of "diet buddies" or "exercise buddies". For some unknown reason we never seem to pick the right person and after a few weeks, they are finding excuses not to show up or not to continue "being there for you". Or worst of all, they are the one that ends up needing all the moral support and you're getting nothing. Your partner doesn't even know how to give support and you end up totally involved in all their problems. Like you don't have enough to think about.

I tried to go that route many years ago and gave up looking for a partner I could put up with. When it comes to moral support or finding someone you can depend on, you either have to pay someone, like a life coach, or be your own best friend. If you're the one who wants to slim down, become fit and have that body you have always dreamed about, it's only you that has to muster up the determination to change your life. You have to forget about all the foods you like and the things you like to do when you're not working. Because for a few months you'll have to concentrate on living a healthy life.

This means that you might have to do some homework. You'll have to learn about "living healthy". Fortunately, we have the internet now, and all the information you need is on the internet. Healthy eating is the most important part, exercise alone won't get you to your goal. But after you straighten out your diet, you'll have to find an exercise routine to strengthen your muscles and help you burn more body fat.

Living a healthy, active lifestyle means you'll need to change your routine. Change what you eat, how much time you spend sitting or reclining and even how much your sleeping. You'll have to pay more attention to your bodies needs. I'm sure you have seen those slim, trim people playing Tennis or Golf and wish you had the time for that. Living an active, healthy life means you have to get organized and make time for "being active". And it also means that you have to learn what it means to "eat healthy". Your body fat is robbing you of energy, the energy to live a healthy life. Lose your fat and you'll feel 10 years younger.

I write several blogs and e-books, check out some of my other sites.

gettingtoahealthyweight.blog
idropped40pounds.wordpress.com
howbaddoyouwanttoloseweight.blogspot.com
blogonweight.blogspot.com

If you really want to lose your body fat than look for my Ebooks at the websites listed below. You'll get information on Healthy eating, exercise, and diet. Instead of spending hours on the internet reading dozens of posts, you can save time by picking up one of my e-books.
There are two e-books. “How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight?” is available at all the online bookstores selling for $1.99. Go to any of the websites below and search the title to find my Ebook. This book gives you all you need to lose weight without spending money on gym memberships, diet plans or meal plans. Look for my book. at Amazon.com, B&N.com, iBook, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, or Gardner Books in the U.K.
My new e-book is available on Smashwords.com, just type “getting to a Healthy Weight” in the search box at the top of the home page.

An Inspirational Story

All it take is willpower to lose weight and the story following is an example of what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it.

Have you seen the story of this 50 year old woman who was brutally fat shamed in a department store by some rude skinny lady?

For years this woman struggled to lose weight yet NOTHING worked.

P90X, Atkins, Zumba, Beach Body, Gluten Free, Cross Fit… NOTHING worked.

And the last straw was when she was brutally fat shamed in the shopping mall while hoping to find a pair of pants she could fit into.

It was in that moment she began her quest to not just LOSE the weight - but to get HOT.

And one year later…

She dropped an incredible 41 pounds!  And she didn’t just lose weight… instead she got a tight, toned body with that sleek sexy muscular looking stomach.

Get this…

She did this ALL without EVER stepping foot in a gym or without some crazy diet, or using pills or surgery.

Lose weight and keeping it off is about changing your life and becoming a new person. A person who is going to forget everything they know about eating and exercise and do it right this time.  To re-shape your body and get hot you have to start training like a pro athlete.

If you really want to lose the extra flab you can get help, I write 4 blogs and I’ve written two E-books. Read some of my other blog posts.

Gettingtoahealthyweight.wordpress.com

idropped40pounds.wordpress.com

howbaddoyouwanttoloseweight.blogspot.com

blogonweight.blogspot.com

E-books are the easiest and cheapest way to learn about any subject without groping through hundreds of websites looking for the material you want.

My first e-book is “HowBadDoYouWantToLoseWeight” and it sells for $2.99 on most online bookstores like Amazon.com, BN.com, iBook, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, and Gardner books in the U.K.

My second e-book is available in the same stores. And on smashwords.com. If you use the Smashwords promotional code You can get my second book for $1.99 (TL96R). Just type in the search line “getting to a healthy weight”.

It's Christmas Eve in Texas

I found out today that I have readers in the Netherlands and now I can add you to the list of countries that follow my blog. I'm really surprised after 8 years of writing 4 different blogs how many readers I have amassed. I write these blogs for fun, I get nothing out of it but because I found success in my weight loss venture, I thought I should write about it. Let those know that it's not hopeless and that anyone can lose weight.

I know there will be sacrifice. You do have to change the way you live. I have to live every day like I'm in training. I decided that from now on I would be more active, and eat a proper diet that would help me burn my body fat. I know now that no one can totally avoid all the foods they love, but until you achieve that slimmer, trimmer body you want you have to sacrifice just like a pro athlete training for the Superbowl or a big title fight.

I weighed about 220 pounds several years ago and now I'm 155. I reduced my body fat to about 20% and I have all the energy of someone 20 years younger. We don't realize what extra weight can do to your body, your health, and your mind. Yes, I know I look my age but you don't have to feel as old as you look. Yes, the weather takes a toll on your skin and you can do something about that today if you want. That's an option I don't care to do. But you don't have to feel your age. You can turn back the clock and stop your body from aging just by keeping in shape.

Your diet plays a big part of staying in shape. Cancer is a real threat to all of us and medical science is spending millions of dollars every year in research trying to find a cure, but the real cure can be found in your diet. Excess body fat increases your chances for cancer, I read that in a newsletter but why is that? When you add weight as an adult you're adding body fat so your blood vessels have to grow in length to accommodate your growing body and because you're not a child any longer it's more difficult to grow these blood vessels.

Your heart has to pump blood to all these new fat cells to keep them alive. I believe when these fat cells aren't getting enough blood to stay alive they become Cancerous.

So what's the answer, Don't add weight to your body after you are fully grown, usually between 18 and 21 years of age. Naturally, there are several other way you get Cancer. Like smoking, but all of the ways involve cells in your body that are dying for one reason or another.

People ,in general, will eat food that they like, regardless of the health consequences. We forget that eating food is to fuel our bodies and give us strength, eating is not for pleasure. Eating is a necessary part of survival just like walking. It's just not enough North American do enough walking to help their bodies.

Lose your fat and stay healthy and you'll be a much happier person. 

If you really want to lose the extra flab you can get help, I write 4 blogs and I’ve written two E-books. Read some of my other blog posts.

Gettingtoahealthyweight.wordpress.com

idropped40pounds.wordpress.com

howbaddoyouwanttoloseweight.blogspot.com

blogonweight.blogspot.com

E-books are the easiest and cheapest way to learn about any subject without groping through hundreds of websites looking for the material you want.

My first e-book is “HowBadDoYouWantToLoseWeight” and it sells for $2.99 on most online bookstores like Amazon.com, BN.com, iBook, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, and Gardner books in the U.K.

My second e-book is available in the same stores. And on smashwords.com. If you use the Smashwords promotional code You can get my second book for $1.99 (TL96R). Just type in the search line “getting to a healthy weight”.

Eat Breakfast Twice

Have you ever heard that before? Eat breakfast twice. It turns out that if you want to lose weight you should eat most of your daily calories in the morning and before 1:00 p.m. After that eat light. If you eat your big meals first they have more time to work through your digestive system and you stay full through the afternoon and snack less.

I didn't believe it at first so I had to try it.  I'm always up early so I eat breakfast around 7:00. I work out next so my first breakfast is mostly liquid. I make a big protein shake with a banana, yogurt, protein powder, and almond milk. Than I'm on my laptop for a couple hours and about 10:00 I'm ready to eat again. I sometimes eat a bowl of oatmeal and wheat toast or sometimes an omelette with ham and spinach. Than back to work for a couple more hours and by that time it's after 12 and time for lunch. I try to have my hot meal for lunch.

For me it's pretty easy because I work from home, but I found an alternative. I was in the supermarket one day and while passing through the deli section I noticed these small meals that were healthy and fresh and make in the store every day. For $4 or $5 I could buy a healthy meal that wasn't frozen and I could warm it up in the microwave in a couple minutes.

After trying these meals, I discovered that I could buy these dinners made fresh on the internet and have them sent to my house. If your single and eat out often, this is a better option. Restaurant it's that healthy, and if you find a restaurant with a healthy menu it's usually expensive. A healthy low-calorie meal that come ready to eatand cost less than $10 is better than eating out in my opinion.

In the afternoon I have an apple and for dinner about 6 p.m. I usually eat a small sandwich on wheat bread and maybe another piece of fruit. Cutting calories is about eating healthy and stop drinking calories. We drink hundreds of calories every day and we don't even realize it.

Try it, stick to healthy food and try to walk more every day and you will burn more body fat after your body adjusts to this new way of eating.

If you really want to lose the extra flab you can get help, I write 4 blogs and I’ve written two E-books. Read some of my other blog posts.

Gettingtoahealthyweight.wordpress.com

idropped40pounds.wordpress.com

howbaddoyouwanttoloseweight.blogspot.com

blogonweight.blogspot.com

E-books are the easiest and cheapest way to learn about any subject without groping through hundreds of websites looking for the material you want.

My first e-book is “HowBadDoYouWantToLoseWeight” and it sells for $2.99 on most online bookstores like Amazon.com, BN.com, iBook, Kobo.com, Scribd.com, and Gardner books in the U.K.

My second e-book is available in the same stores. And on smashwords.com. If you use the Smashwords promotional code You can get my second book for $1.99 (TL96R). Just type in the search line “getting to a healthy weight”.