So I finally hit the gym!

While debating whether to join a gym this year 2017 or spend more time exercising at home or outdoors, my husband made the decision for me. As a surprise he signed us both up to a local gym. That doesn't mean I won't be exercising at home and outside too, it just gives me more options to choose and less excuses to come up with. The gym will always be first protocol.

Yes I know, I can see the roll in the middle too ;)

Today is day 3 or 3 consecutive days. The plan is to do a full 5 day on gym session and off for 2 days for rest and recovery. Because we will be going away later this year, we have a goal to lose some much needed weight and to start treating our bodies with a bit more respect than we have done over the past few months. You only have 1 body so look after it. We do take our health and fitness seriously and want to be at optimal health to benefit our family and show our children how they can do it too. My parents sure did not teach me about good nutrition and exercise.

Exercising with the hubby.

The first day was tough. I normally do a 10 minute warm up row on the rowing machine, but because I have not attended a gym for 3 months I lasted 2 minutes 45 seconds. That was a complete blow and shows me that you have to keep on top of these things. The second session was 5 minutes.....little and often is the way to do it. My problem areas are tummy, thighs, bum and top of my arms. These are the areas I will be working on and can share with you some great exercises to try. I have taken some before pictures but will share the results at a later date.

Last year I qualified as a fitness instructor so I could work

in the gym at my ex employment.

I am still getting into the routine of taking my vitamins and USANA protein shakes, these are a must. For losing weight 80% of it is diet and only 20% exercise, but you need the exercise too. You don't want to rapidly loose weight just through a good diet and end up with flappy skin bits, tone as you go.

The best routine is to do a full body work out. Start with stretches, do a cardio warm up either running, cycling or rowing for 5-10 minutes. 45 minutes to 1 hour is plenty in the gym. I struggle to last a full hour and it's of no benefit to do any more. To fit it into your daily routine 45 minutes is plenty to maintain your health. Do a combination of legs, arms, back and stomach either machines or free weights. Either 12 reps of 3 sets or 8 reps of 5 sets. Find your way around the gym and do a routine that suits you. As you get stronger and better increase weight or resistance. Remember to give yourself a 20 second rest in between each set to give your cells time to repair. I will post my recommended routine in another blog and show you a gym based routine and a home based routine.

USANA wild strawberry protein shake, these are so tasty.

www.rebeccabonfield.usana.com

 Grab a protein bar and a shake and get exercising. You will feel better for it later. Watch your energy increase, your fitness levels increase, no more tiredness in the day, less cramps during your period if you exercise beforehand, sleep better at night, lose weight, increase muscle (as you get older your muscle deteriorates) you need to keep that muscle building up, keep up with your children, improves joint mobility and they were just from the top of my head.