I haven’t worked out in at LEAST three years. Lincoln is 2, I was pregnant for 9/10 months, and I know I wasn’t working out in the months prior to my pregnancy. That equals 3. Prior to that, I always worked out hardcore with a personal trainer for pageants. Yes, I’m a former pageant girl and yes, a workout regimen was essential if you wanted to be competitive. I guess I got burned out from the whole working out thing because I have been SUPER lazy ever since and haven’t stepped foot in a gym! That is until a friend took a pic of me lounging by the pool the other day and I was horrified! Okay okay okay it’s not THAT bad, really, but what is most important is living a healthy lifestyle. And while I may “look” somewhat fit due to my small frame, really I’m not. I can barely walk up the hill without getting winded!

I’ve been dying to get back in the gym to “firm” up some loose ends, but it’s so difficult to find the motivation. In addition I’m a bit of a weirdo when it comes to working out and feel like I need someone there holding my hand for mental and emotional support. Insert the part where my sister just moved back to Austin from Houston and lives 5 houses down…yippee!

Enough is enough! A gym membership is a necessity!

But where to go? There are SO many options when it comes to choices in a gym. From Lifetime Fitness, Gold’s Gym, 24 Hour Fitness, Planet Fitness, and the YMCA to Cross Fit, Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, the BOB Revolution stroller on Town Lake {which I own and ran with ONCE…I don’t know how those people do it so effortlessly!!!}, and P90X, the choices are abundant! I decided it was finally time to get a membership.

Sooooo…. the YMCA is my new home in the morning with my beloved work out partner, my sister. We decided on the Y for a multitude of reasons, but most importantly, my sister was a member in Houston and was pretty much in love with them and wanted to transfer her membership to Austin. BUT some other reasons are that, I love their outdoor pool that was literally made for kids, their child watch program {yes, most gyms have a child watch program, but you have to see the Y’s, it’s unreal and almost inline with his Mother’s Day Out program!}, and the array of structured classes they offer. Lincoln has never been in a daycare or MDO environment so this is a win win as far as I’m concerned, because I rarely have 90 minutes to myself and Lincoln gets to interact with kiddos his own age. I have to admit, my inner Mommy Demon came out the other day when I was walking to the child watch area to pick up Lincoln and saw another kiddo yanking Lincoln’s toy out of his hands…but it’s all part of growing up and learning how to share, I guess.

Lincoln Chillin’ @ the YMCA

The Y has a smorgasbord of class options like Zumba, Body Pump, Yoga, Pilates, Kinesis, Swim, Bicycling, etc. and best yet, it doesn’t feel like a meat market when I’m there {Come on, y’all know what I’m talking about}!! The Y is so family friendly and my sister and I are able to focus on working out. I’m only a week in, but so far I’m loving life at the YMCA and being able to barely sit down.

I feel like gyms and work out routines are like politics and religion, everyone feels passionate about their “place”. What do you do for a stress reliever? What’s your zen in terms of a gym?

5 COMMENTS

  1. So Lincoln likes the childcare??? I’m so happy for you because V hated Lifetime and I ALWAYS got “the call.” Thats why I was a Bobber on Town Lake– no other choice! There was no dropping this kiddo off. Maybe now that she’s older I can try at a place here in Boston…

    • Lincoln LOVES the childcare! He hasn’t cried once and in fact, I think he’s less whiny when he’s there. Normally he naps around 10:30, but when he’s at the Y he could go until 12:30! I thought on the first day they might have to come get me, but Lincoln was like “see you later mom” and just ran off towards all the new toys and was totally content. I applaud you, Jess for being able to operate the Bob and run! I can barely walk with it much less run…

      ~Allison

  2.  We used to go to the Y in CP, but when G was little he hated it so I never went, it was too miserable to see him upset. We have been at Lifetime for about 4 years and I LOVE it, my kids LOVE it, plus a lot of friends are there. I don’t go as often as I should, but I try and work out at home too, plus run. I have a lot of neighborhood friends that love the Y too. That is great that Lincoln likes it…that makes all the difference!
    Oh and I don’t mind putting P in the BOB and trekking around my hood or a local trail, but the thought of going to Town Lake is overwhelming!

  3. I can’t afford the gym…and am a single mom, so I picked up Jillian Michaels Ab video…it’s been great! I would recommend it to anyone (especially who had a c-section!)

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