love the gym (learning to)

via Pinterest

I will start this post with a caveat. I have never been a gym person. Nor do I think I ever will become a gym person. But I am learning to enjoy getting fit and at the moment, that involves a gym. 

I reluctantly joined a gym that is located less than 3 minutes from my place of work (one of the draw cards - in addition to a sweet deal that was too good to refuse!) In the past, I would join a gym, go maybe once a week and end up trying to work my way out of the membership because I found myself on the couch more nights than at the gym. 

One of the main factors that is getting me off my butt and into the gym is the fact that my wedding date that is fast approaching (5 months and counting!) I don't have some massive weight loss target or anything crazy, but I just want to tone up and feel fit, happy and healthy on the day. 

In an effort to get a head start, I have been seeing a personal trainer twice a week, however this has dropped back to one session a week due to daylight savings. It gets dark around 5pm now and it's far too dangerous to be out in the park when it's pitch black. Enter: gym membership. 

On the plus side, my gym is relatively quiet - the most I've seen is maybe 5 or 6 people at the gym at any one time. The muscle-men are always downstairs near the weights, pumping iron and looking at themselves in the mirror. Perfect, because I don't want to be anywhere near them! I pop straight upstairs and jump on the treadmill for 30/40mins, followed by 20mins on the bike. With iPod blasting and a few game shows to watch on the tele, the time flies and my workout is done. 

I am trying to get my cardio fitness up. I've never enjoyed running, but I desperately want to be able to run - it looks so effortless and clearly, it's a great way to tone up and get fit. But I find it the most awkward and uncoordinated thing in the world. But I'm trying to turn that around. I'm slowly building up my running on the treadmill. Nothing like running in real life, but it's a start. 

I am really good at talking myself out of going to the gym. "I'm too tired", "I need to go to the shops", "I just want a quiet night" - but when I found these words of inspiration, I realised how insignificant those excuses are. I'll leave work on time, my workout will be finished by the time I would normally start packing up my desk. I'll sweat it out, listen to some of my favourite tunes, clear my head and re-energise. After all, it's only 4% of my day. 

~ love tips 
Please share your fitness tips with me - I need all the help I can get!

~ love new music 
Always on the lookout for new music to keep my pace going on the treadmill! Currently I'm loving Prince!