Is exercise a "bad" word

Ok...here is the story. I have been working with a personal trainer 3 x per week for 11 months now...love the results...built lots of muscle mass etc...the problem is that my contract runs out next month and I am TERRIFIED of going it alone. To be honest with you I just show up...they kick my #@* and I go home, I don't really think about it too much. I never have done the same routine twice this entire time so when people tell me to just mimick what they have me do, it's impossible. It varies so much! So, what are you guys doing? Deanne, I know you are an avid exerciser so how did you put together your workout? Andi, I know you belly dance and I am gonna look into that. Does anyone know a a good website where you can create a program that includes, cardio, weights, circuit and stretching? That is the routine I am use to. I am really afraid that I will just park myself on some cardio machine and veg., like I use to and lose all the muscles that I have built up. I have started (by starting I mean 1 class) taking a spin class in addition and although I can't say I enjoy it, I will keep it up cause I think it is a good workout. Thanks, Trish

Hi Trish! I go to a gym where I have a fitness coach ... he met with me once and gave me a plan to follow and then I work out on my own. I can touch base with him any time I want to change up my routine. I like this for me because I don't want someone standing over me while I exercise! I bump into him nearly every time I go to the gym and he does a quick chat with me to see how I'm doing. Right now my routine is that I run 3-4 times per week for a total of 10-15 miles. Then I do a Spin class twice a week. And a group weight lifting class twice a week. Do you have classes at your gym like that? The weight lifting class is really cool because you can use however much weight you want and you move according to your ability. It really helps build muscle endurance. I started doing this class instead of spending time in the weight lifting room. Anyway, my fitness coach put together this schedule for me in order to train me for a half marathon ... this routine will help build my endurance so that I can physically run longer distances. I hated my Spin class at first but you get used to it. And you will love the way it makes your leg muscles look! I just have to stick to my exercise schedule and make it part of my routine. It's something I know that I have to do because I don't want to go back to my old ways. Plus, I love how my muscles look now! Ha, ha! Deanna

my husband did so much better with a personal training, I convinced him to go it alone at home and we built a personal gym, but he quickly lost interest and now we are selling all the equipment. personally I could never stick with having a gym for 6 weeks during college, I know that I just do not do a gym. just not something I want to persue.

Hey Trish.. there is something to be sad about having a trainer. I have one and it makes me go to the gym to exercise. It's like you cant get out of it. I also think it is important to create your own routines and design it to do the things you like to do. I think the bottom like comes down to if you want to continue the added cost for having one. It doesnt hurt but you can do it on you own if you set up you own program. I have my own program set up so I can train when I am not with them. YOu may want to considerer going to once a week or an occassional meeting and do the rest yourself. that way they can upgrade your program once in a while and make sure you are still on track with your workout routine. Carla

I am also taking salsa lessons AND a very new exercise class called zumbai which is an African drum based exercise, it sounds so cool i hope i can keep up or at least not die of coronary in the class it self. I thought salsa would be hot and sexy it's more like very hot and sweaty and i don't feel sexy at all! ANDI

Oh wow, I would LOVE to join you on the Zumbai!!