Hi all! Can I join in?

[Sparkly]

Hi!

I just joined a gym today! This is very unusual behavior for me, but I'm going to give it a try.

I've been a dancer by profession (ballet/modern), and never liked exercise for the sake of exercise. But adult dance classes in my area are few, and hard to work into my schedule. I'm hitting one of those birthdays ending in a "0" in March, and decided I need more exercise in general to stay in shape as I get older. My stamina has really suffered, even though I'm still thin and flexible.

(Also, shhhh -- don't mention this in GD!... I've started and stopped cigarettes ever since meeting H2S, who smokes, after being totally quit for over ten years. Yup, dancing and smoking -- you'd be surprised how many dancers smoke. I'm pretty good at setting a quit date and stopping for a couple of months, but I'm hoping more aerobic exercise will motivate me to stay quit! I decided today to make Monday my quit date.)

Tomorrow I'm going in for them to show me all the equipment and stuff. I have typical dancer legs (strong) and arms (scrawny) so I guess I should do arm things, abdominal or "core" things, and upper-back shoulder things. Building up leg muscles was always a no-no as a dancer -- it's all too easy to get huge ones. (We were told not to skate or bicycle!) So I don't need that but, I wouldn't mind doing some leg things if I can do them turned-out without anybody telling me I'm doing it wrong. Are there rules about things like that?

And I'm nervous about people looking at me, dumb as I realize that is. I feel self-conscious not knowing how to use the equipment, and likely struggling with the smallest weights there are. I guess I'll get over that. (But when I signed up today, that place was packed! And everybody looked reeeeally serious...)

Anyway, I'd just like to check in here and participate in your daily threads for motivation, guidance, and to cheer others on! :hi:

[Longhorn]

1. Welcome, Sparkly!

I can't help with your exercise questions but we've got some great members who are quite knowledgeable who I'm sure will give you some guidance. I just wanted to say :hi: and glad to have you aboard!

[Sparkly]

2. Hi, Longhorn!!

Great to see you here! :hi:

Are you into exercise/fitness? (Can you exercise and watch old movies at the same time? :))

[Longhorn]

3. Actually, yes.

:)

However, I've been watching Desperate Housewives on DVD. I'm about to finish Season I; Season II is waiting on dvd and Season III is being recorded on my dvr. I need something that will entice me into the exercise room when the thought of exercising does not. First, I watched all of the Lord of the Rings movies. Then I watched every movie or PBS production of a Jane Austen book I could get. Then I watched the first season of Lost. So now I'm up to DH. Perhaps I'll get Grey's Anatomy next; I've never watched it but people seem to think it's great. I love classic movies but it can be hit or miss catching a movie I want to watch right at the beginning when I can exercise and I don't have a dvr in that room.

I have an elliptical and strength training machine. I'd love to get a recumbent exercise bike but two of our daughters are getting married in the next few months so it will have to wait. I will also start walking after work four nights a week beginning Tuesday when the spring semester begins at my community college.

It feels good to be back in the swing of things! :hi:

[wildeyed]

4. Hi Sparkly, welcome to E&F.

It's a good place, especially after too much of the C&B thing ;)

I wouldn't worry about people looking at you. I am an ex-athlete, too, with very little gym experience. When I want to know how to use something, I ask someone who works there, and they are always very helpful. If they are not, maybe time to find a new gym.

Have you tried yoga or pilates? Dancer tend to gravitate toward those disciplines. It is more movement/technique based than typical weight lifting, and dancers enjoy the bendy stuff. I do 2-3 challenging yoga classes a week and then try to fit in some cardio and maybe a little bit of weights here and there. Keeps me quite fit and relieves anxiety.

[Sparkly]

5. Hi and thanks!

I went in this morning for a tour of some of the machines. I'm sure I'm going to feel it in my arms tomorrow!!

Yes, I like yoga and Pilates. This place has classes, but not many. I'll try to fit them in when I can.

How many times a week do you go to the gym?

[wildeyed]

7. Once, but I do yoga and/or climb an additional 2-3 times per week.

I do yoga at several studios in the area and climb either at the indoor gym or if I am extremely lucky, outside.

I am going to drop my gym membership next week because I don't use it enough. I do enjoy working out there, but it costs 60+ dollars per month, so 3-4 uses per month is not very economical.

[flamingyouth]

6. Hi Sparkly!

Nice to see you here! :hi:

I see my two loves yoga and Pilates have already been suggested! :D

I confess, I'm not a huge cardio fan :blush: but I like the elliptical the best out of all the machines, and I also love weights. I'm training to be a yoga teacher and I've been shocked at how much faster I can get into handstand since I started lifting weights.

Anyway, it's great to have you with us! :)

[wildeyed]

8. It's funny, but I have found that some weights or general strength training

is very beneficial to my yoga practice, too. I tried doing only yoga and taking additional classes each week for a month. By the end, I just felt tired and weak. When I went back to doing strength once a week, my practice really picked up again.

I am thinking about certifying as a yoga instructor next year. Are you doing the Yoga Alliance 200 hour training? How far through are you and what do you think so far?.

[flamingyouth]

9. I'm about 30% of the way through the Anusara Yoga training

It's quite comprehensive, and I've had two car accidents and a cancer diagnosis, which have slowed down (but not stopped :)) my process somewhat. So far I love it. My focus will be working with people with chronic pain and cancer. :)

http://www.anusara.com/?pagerequested=certification_requirements

[wildeyed]

10. That sounds like a really comprehensive training.

Good luck! Keep us updated on your progress :)

[MemphisTiger]

11. Welcome to the fitness family

Don't be too nervous about the machines. Everyone in the gym has had to try them for the first time. Usually they have stickers that indicate how it works or just watch someone else do it first. We've all been newbies at the gym, not many people in the gym would make fun of you for that, in fact if they are serious they probably won't even notice you because they are focused on their workout.

Most importantly have fun with your workouts and don't be afraid to change it up.