OK, I joined a gym on Monday...

...and I've worked out the last three days. I'm alternating strength training (weights) and cardio (mostly stationary bicycling) every other day. I'm watching my diet too, but my main problem has been an increasingly sedentary lifestyle as I get older (I'm 50). My goal is to lose 55 lbs-- I'm about 245, and would really like to be 190. I'm tall-- 6'2"-- and built rather big, so 190 is a real slim, fit weight for me-- at 180 or less I start to get a bit hollow-cheeked. Of course, it's been so long since I was that light, I might just be imagining that!

Anyway, the workouts feel really good, even though I'm still a bit sore from the intro session with a trainer on Tuesday. Just getting myself TO the gym was a major step-- now that I've joined, and begun using it, I really enjoy it and look forward to it. It really helps that I'm on winter break and have a couple more weeks to work going to the gym into my daily routine before I have to go back to scheduled workdays.

So wish me luck-- my goal is to lose 5-8 lbs a month until I get down to my target weight. Any advice would be appreciated.

It sounds like you are off to a great start and have set reasonable goals for yourself.

:thumbsup:

Now I just have to stick with it-- and develop some new habits.

You appear to be doing everything right so far! :)

Keep up the good work.

We're looking into getting a membership. Probably at the YMCA since we're on a fixed income. It should be interesting, as I'm a diagnosed "social phobic."

Don't be afraid to do cardio every day, and then alternate different muscle groups in a short weight-training session after your cardio routine.

Of course, mixing up your cardio is a pretty good idea too: jogging one day, elliptical the next, biking the next, rowing the next. And don't forget your intensity: a minute or two at a manageable pace, then bust your butt for a minute or two, then back to the manageable pace, etc.

Variety in activity and intensity is good for results and for motivation.

Good luck to you! I have really come to love movement in the last year... I hope you find it as addictive as I have.