Thinking about joining a gym..

So I am considering joining one of our gyms here but I am not sure if I am making the right choice. I joined curves in August of last year and went for the first few weeks and then never went back (just cancelled my membership a week ago) it was $34 a month and I never went. Their hours were very complicated so that might have played a part or it might just be another excuse.

This gym is $45 a month for everything (classes included) and the hours are WAY better. They are open later and open earlier. I'm very interested in it. I have a treadmill, weight bench and dvds at home but I can never seem to find the motivation to go downstairs and do them. I also am borrowing the zumba dvds from a coworker and I like them a lot. This gym has zumba classes you can take. I like riding my bike but I don't like feeling like people are staring at me driving down the road and the traffic here is dangerous. I don't feel safe riding bike (even though there is a bike trail which is on the other side of town unfortunately) and I have tried walking to and from work which is about a mile one way but I have to cross a very busy bypass where everyone runs the red lights so I don't feel safe walking either outside.

I guess I am just afraid that I will get this membership and then not go like I did with curves. But then I think that with the gym there are more options and I think it would be better for me. I can cancel the membership at anytime there is only a month to month contract.

SO do you guys have any advice/tips/words of wisdom or SOMETHING for someone like me? How do you get motivated to keep going to the gym? What exercises do you do? HELP! lol

Thank you and sorry this is so long!

Had to smile when you said that about Curves.  I did the exact same thing.  I just kept paying for a service I didn't use.  

I have not joined a gym yet but I would like too.  When I had a gym membership I really used it.  However, my three year old wouldn't stay in the daycare room there because the lady was not that pleasant and it didn't always work out where she could stay with my husband.  Now that she is a year older, there is another gym in town where she can go into the room, but still see me.  

I enjoy working out in a gym.  People think I am crazy when I say this but.....I push myself harder because I do not want others exercising around me to think I am lazy.  I know that is silly, but the firm fit people are a silent motivator for me.  I think the atmosphere for me is better too.  At home, when on the treadmill, I am looking around seeing everything that needs to be done.  When I am at the gym, I know I am there to workout and then I go home.  

Good luck!  Exercise is exercise so home or a gym is a good option!  One however is free....

Thank you for your reply! I can see how you would say that the firm people are your motivator. My problem at home on the treadmill is that I just give up after like 10 minutes because it is SO BORING! lol...I think of the other things I could possibly be doing too.

I wish our gyms here had daycare but they don't unfortunately so I am going to have to FORCE myself to get up in the morning at like 5:30 am...I don't know if I can do that or not lol

I also used to have a hard time with motivation in going to the gym.. and now people can't get me OUT of the gym lol.  The key is to start small with things you CAN do and slowly work up to the more difficult things.  I have had the discussion with MANY people in Las Vegas about heavy people at the gym... and more often than not... they don't even NOTICE us... we put more pressure on ourselves because that's how WE see ourselves... now how the public sees us at the gym... and plus... WHO CARES... you're at the gym taking the steps to take care of yourself and your health.  The most important thing to remember is to FIND THE MOTIVATION.  We can make excuses all we want... but that only hurts us in the long run.  Find a friend who wants to workout more.  When you ahve a friend you have to meet at the gym you are accountable and have to show up.  Set mini goals for yourself at the gym.  Start working out twice a week for 20 minutes.  Then 30 minutes, then an hour... then three times a week... slowly let your body get used to it.  YES it will hurt and you will be sore and YES you will lose motivation sometimes... but your body needs you to take care of it.  GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Thank you! That is what I have been trying to do is start out small ( I have been trying to get back on track again) I was walking to and from work and after work and stuff but the big bypass scares me too much, I just know I am going to get hit by a car (I have been hit by one before).

I kind of figure that at the gym nobody will really care what I look like or anything but I think it still might be hard to get used to working out in public especially with good looking men around haha.

I've got a friend who also has a membership but she won't be working out until after she gets back from her honeymoon which is the beginning of September and I don't know if I can wait that long lol. Guess I can start by myself for now huh?

I had a co-worker write out a workout plan for me because she used to go to a personal trainer and I kind of modified it a bit so it would fit my needs. But it is based with things at a gym, with weights and bikes and what not, so it's hard for me to follow and I really want to do it. I also bought an exercise ball and I used it once the other day and OMG my arms and tummy and well, everything, hurts lol! No pain no gain right =)

That's great you are trying to get motivated to workout. I say join the gym and not going is just not an option. It's so hard to get started, but it will become a matter of routine. It took me about 4 months post op to get to the gym. I started with a slow walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes. I gradually increased the duration/intensity. Now I run for 30 or walk briskly on an incline for 45. I also work out with a trainer 4 days a week doing weights. If you can afford it, I highly reccomend getting one. It really keeps me motivated and on track. Best wishes!

Thank you so much! I am going to start easy or a couple weeks and follow my friend's guide she made for me. She had a trainer for months and wrote down a pretty awesome routine! I can't wait to start

One thing I do to motivate me to ride my stationary bike at home is to play a CD of upbeat music as I ride.  It really helps me.  I'm riding along singing with Toby Keith, and before you know it---it's been 30 minutes!

If you can get a buddy it the best time you can have, for some reason gyms are the most unfreindliest places I have ever been, Whne I had a buddy, we laughed as we creid but got in great shape... you think these places would match some folks together,,, I guesss they know you pay and never return, they get money. all they care  about. In either case,, we both gotta work out!

I am totally trying to find an exercise buddy but I can't seem to find one =( I am going to check out the gym today to see if I like it and if it is friendly. I have heard good things so far