Hello everyone!

I have definitely been a stranger to social media lately. I jump on Facebook every once in a while to keep up with friends and family, but even that is only every few days. Nothing like going on there and seeing 54 notifications. Eeeek. But I should be back to regular updates and posts soon. I started a position with a company located in North Austin. It's taking me some serious adjusting getting used to a set schedule, being around people all day, and being away from my son. He's 10, so it's not like he needs me that much anymore but still, I'm used to being the one taking him to school, picking him up, and helping him with his homework. But we're adjusting; albeit he is adjusting better than I am!

Now, to fit fitness activities into my schedule. This has been harder than I thought it would be. When I get home, I just want to zone out and read, or play ridiculous games. But now I'm antsy and miss working out! I generally worked out at home previously but now that we are in a second floor apartment, no running or jumping around allowed.

So I'm going to run the gamut of trying out various gyms! Life Time Fitness is not even a mile down the street, and I pass it each morning on my way to work. Plus it's open 24 hours, so I could go before work which would probably be ideal, though different...

Anyone have experience with Life Time Fitness? And working out in the early morning hours?! Also tips on work/life/fitness balance would be awesome. I need to figure this stuff out.

Adventures in

workouts!


I'm really bored working out at home. I have dvd's, videos online, I have weights, but being by myself, working out by myself, has just gotten dull for me. Even going to a regular gym just seems boring because of lack of interaction with anyone. A girl in the weight section usually either gets harassed or hit on (which I guess is harassment too?) I'm not working right now, so my social interactions are limited to my family and my 10 year old. Not ideal for someone who can quickly cut out the rest of the world and fall into depressive habits but also enjoys social interaction!

So I've decided, as an experiment, to try out a bunch of new things! And I have a list so far of activities I want to try out. I'm mostly doing this as a mental health reset, and to see if maybe I find a new activity related to health and wellness that I really like! I'm not going to apply for any jobs the rest of the month because my brain cannot handle it and I know I need a mental health break.

My list so far:

*Yoga class (different types so more than one)

*Pilates

CrossFit-free class offered 

Camille Leblanc-Bazinet

BodyPump-free class offered

BodyCombat-free class offered

Local Old School Boxing gym-offers a free class

Title Boxing gym-offers a free class

Boot camp class at Texas Fit Chicks

Barre (maybe...)

Spin-the gym below. I've never tried it and curious. 

And a new (building for an old one) gym that has classes included, offers a free first week, and is only $25 a month and half off the introductory fee! (Classes offered are spin, yoga, boot camp, and a few others I wasn't familiar with).

It seems like a lot! And expensive! To be fair, half of them have a free first class so it won't be too expensive.

If anyone has opinions, or advice, please let me know! I'm all ears. Or if there are classes you enjoy and think I might like, please let me know!

*Denotes that I have done these at home, but not in a regular, structured class setting...yet! And if I borrowed your picture, and you would like it taken down, please let me know! 

Worst gym experiences

For a few months last year, I was signed up for a local gym. We have big box gym across town but it's always crowded and it's not a 24 hour one like I'd prefer. Instead of YMCA's, we have our own recreation department, and they have about 5 centers around town. The one by me is barely a mile away and pretty small. There's a cardio room with about 8 treadmills, 4 ellipticals, a stair climber, two rowers and stationary  bikes, a room with lockers and bathroom, and the weight room. Plus the gymnasium doubles as a group exercise room where they do BodyPump, Body Combat, Yoga, and a few other things.

I have some equipment at home. An old bench and barbell, adjustable up to 20 pounds dumbbells, dumbbells in #5, and #10, an exercise ball and now non-adjustable elliptical machine. I just wanted out of the house and wanted to use the squat rack, lat pull-down machine, and leg press. I love those areas and it's hard to do at home!

Here come my horror stories. There is only one squat rack and at least 6 benches, plus the Smith Machine. This guy had apparently started a circuit and was CURLING IN THE SQUAT RACK. Huge gym pet peeve. I didn't know he was using the squat rack other than there was a phone sitting right outside of it. He was on the other end of the room on the free weights bench. I started pulling the weights off to add my own and once I was done, he ran over upset that I had taken his weights off after he watched me do it. Then whined, asking if he could finish what he was doing. Seriously? I was mad. There is a curling rack, plus many benches, why couldn't he use that? I don't know. I said fine and reminded him that it was in fact a squat rack, not a curl rack. He was irritated but I was mad.

Another day, a trainer told me that I had made the guys uncomfortable using the squat rack. Why?? Because it was the only way they could use the mirror for their curls. None of them used it for squats. !@#$ This is the same trainer who dresses in 80's clothes, acid washed jeans and crap to work out.

There was one nice guy, an older gentleman, who warned me about some of the guys. He told me to make no apologies, act like I owned the place, and to never leave my water bottle alone. Apparently one of the other guys tried to mess with it and he got on to him. The guy in question was one I had seen staring at me and made me uncomfortable.

This is how that guy seemed to me. He just stared at me and always did his workouts around me. 

Sorry for the swear word, but accurate to the look I gave these guys:

These men didn't dissuade me, just reminded how much more careful women have to be. I will be returning to either this gym, or a new gym, depending on if I move or not.