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Decisions, Decisions

Decisions, Decisions

Lisa Eirene

About Lisa Eirene Lisa lost 110 pounds through calorie counting and exercise. She swims, bikes, runs, hikes and is enjoying life in Portland, Oregon. Her weight loss story has been featured in First Magazine, Yahoo Health, Woman's Day and Glamour.com.

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23 Comments

  1. Lesley

    I’d vote for quitting your gym and then go gym-hopping. Most gyms in my area will give a free week for trying out the gym. I know that I’m 10 times more likely to work out (and love it) when I love my gym. I switched from my fabulous, but always too busy gym located at a private university (and manned by nice, but flaky college students) to my local YMCA. My local Y is in a time warp from the 1960’s, but I absolutely love all of the employees, they have all new equipment and I can always use the equipment. (and they have a pool if I ever decide to swim instead of just taking my son).

    Shop around. And, I’m sure your old gym will dangle new deals to get you back in just in case you want to go back there.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I wish there was a YMCA near my place. I probably will shop around for awhile.

  2. Lori

    You certainly don’t need a gym to stay fit. You could take the membership fee and buy some free weights to have at home, like the bowflex changeable dumbbells (very space saving).

    I dropped my gym membership for now and I am using my home weights like I used to. I might join another gym, but there is no hurry. My gym was more expensive and I was getting really irritated with the other gym members and the stupid loud heavy metal music. I don’t want to pay $275 a year for that.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I like having a place to go to. It’s part of the ritual. I like the idea of dropping the gym membership but I question my commitment to exercise without having one.

  3. Christa

    $600 for two years seems pretty good to me, but I HATE being locked in to anything. If you’re not happy with it anyway, I think you should shop around.

    That said, you have to know what works for you, and if this gym works for you then go with it. Personally, I know that if I have to get in the car and drive to the gym I’ll never work out, so having a treadmill and weights at home is what works for me.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      The $600 for two years is a Costco deal but I’m not sure I qualify for it that since I’m already a member. So might have to take a break from the gym anyways in order to qualify for that deal.

  4. jane Cartelli

    Make an appointment with the people who are in a position of ownership/manaement at your gym. Take your before photos and your magazine article with you and let them know how you like working out at their facility, how you do not wish to change, but that you need to make some changes. Offer to help them in promoting the value of their gym with your physical recovery. You could be valuable to their business by your attendance. Barter.

    You are worth it.

    Jane~

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I had not thought of going about it at that angle. That’s a great idea!

    2. Christa

      Great idea! More likely to work if it’s not a huge company, but definitely worth a try.

  5. Carbzilla

    I certainly understand your anxiety over the gym dilemma. I know you’re not going to stop working out and backslide so this may be a good time to do some gym shopping. The Groupon thing may be too inconsistent but free trials and drop-ins may be the way to go. I’m starting back only because my membership is free through work, otherwise I’d stick with videos and yoga classes. Have fun checking out all the options.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      It’s causing major anxiety on my part. I like structure and routine and the “norm.” 🙁

  6. Karen@WaistingTime

    Oh I am one who would so be obsessing and stressing over a decision like this! I found a great deal with my local community center. Very reasonably priced and you can sign up for how long you want or even pay as you go, which is a great no-risk way to try it out. But I have not been in ages, working out instead at home and with my mom at her gym with our trainer.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I used to go to the community center by my old apartment. It was close by, convenient and cheap. I loved that place. But now that I live further away it’s not convenient to go there. 🙁

  7. Liz

    I recently decided that to save money I’m going to use the two on-campus gyms instead of going to my nearby 24-Hour Fitness. It’s a HARD decision, though! Even though my gym is ALSO dirty, with old equipment, and crowded…I have a nostalgic connection to it. It’s part of my routine. I’ve been going there for coming up on two years. I think I’m going to give myself another month of membership, while I work out the kinks of working out on campus. I know it’s going to take a little while to adjust to something new.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Yes, Liz, you make a good point about the connection. It’s familiar and easy so that makes it even harder to give up.

  8. kathy

    It sounds like you don’t have many reasons to stay at your current gym. I don’t belong to a gym anymore. I think it would be awesome to read your posts about your workouts at different settings (track, groupon classes, etc). The post you did at the warehouse with the trainer was really cool and also enjoyed your track workouts as well.

    Looking forward to reading about your decision!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I’m glad you like the variety of my workouts. Gym hopping and doing new things would definitely be a positive in my life–interesting writing for my blog and also a way to “jazz up” the same ol’ workout routine….

  9. liz

    i would recommend going through Costco for a 24-hour fitness membership. they offer a 2 year prepaid membership for all sport locations for $300. it is the best deal that I have ever found and it gives you flexibility in choosing which location works the best for you.. just a thought.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      That’s what I did 2 years ago now it’s expired. The gym was “upgraded” so now that deal is $600 for 2 years. I don’t qualify since I’m already a member but if I quit the gym for a few months I might be able to be considered a new member and get the deal.

      1. Liz

        i had it before as well and once it lapsed, I just took in my new paperwork from Costco. they didn’t hassle me at all. my roommate also did it a second time without any issues. I was only a month past the end of my contract when I rejoined. good luck.

        1. Lisa Eirene

          That’s good to know! I will definitely give that a try!

  10. lisa

    I hope you find a solution to your gym problem. I am more likely to workout when I have a place to go that I like, so I understand your desire to find a new place.

    Michael chopping wood in flip flops!! That caught my eye – it’s like lifting free weights in flip flops. Hope his feet survived the wood chopping!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Oh he does everything in flip-flops! Year round. Don’t even ask. 😉

      I will definitely keep everyone updated on the gym situation. I think a lot of people can relate to this…high costs of gyms are often a deterrent for people trying to get healthy.

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