i need a plan, stan (help, kinda longish)

my new year's resolution (aka plan to get out of the house with the baby and not get cabin fever) is to hit the gym. big time. my local gym is pretty sweet and offers childcare for so i'm set in that aspect.

i would love to make a plan of action or know what i'm going to do each day when i go to the gym. do you guys know of any websites that can give me ideas as to what to do at the gym? maybe some mommy get fit websites or something to that effect? i don't even know where to start. i know that i love gym classes and i am much more effective working out in a group environment vs. working out by myself, but none of the classes coincide with my daily schedule so i guess i'm gonna have to wing this.

i'm pretty sure i'll be able to follow through with this because once christmas comes, my seasonal job will have ended and the only other excuse for me to get out of the house will be mygym for and i'd DIE if that was the only time in the entire week that i'd get out of the house. winters are brutal as it is here in chicago, i need to get ready to do this!

any help is appreciated

Re: i need a plan, stan (help, kinda longish)

Oh that is great they have daycare there! So what is the story now, you are too busy with your job to go?

Ok well I would make a plan and go the same time every day, it works best to make it part of your schedule! Once there I would do cardio for 45-60 minutes (30 is ok but you get better results with longer cardio), then stretch and do some weights. Some days I do less cardio and more weights but mostly I aim for the cardio. For cardio I switch it up, mostly I like to run and train for races but now I am doing eithe running, brisk walking on a steep incline, elliptical or stairclimber. Also it gets boring at times but I just listen to music or watch one of the tvs.

I like to run outside a lot (less boring) but not when its less than 35/40 and chicago gets sooo cold so forget that!

Also sometimes we have to skimp on dinner or household chores bc we dont have time but we just say oh well to that!

Re: i need a plan, stan (help, kinda longish)

for me- I have to get up and go in the morning or it just doesn't happen (this never worked for me before b/c I would have to get up too early- but now I make my own schedule so I made this part of my day)

I started out doing intervals on the treadmill...walk for 5 minutes, jog for 2 minutes

then week 2 I changed to walk for 4, jog for 3

each week I will mix up the intervals- for me it makes cardio alot easier and you burn quite a few calories this way

I just started incorporating weights- I was new to this gym- so I was offered a half hour training session- she was able to put together a work out plan for me- focusing on abs, arms and legs (no chest for me...can't and wont do it b/c of my "investment" )

I would suggest getting a trainer just for 1 session so they can customize what would work for you...after 1 day - I can see and feel a difference b/c of the weights

Re: i need a plan, stan (help, kinda longish)

I would start with picking the days you are definitely going to go. Don't say "everyday" because that may not be realistic. But if you pick 3-4 days, choose which days will be cardio, and which will be strength training. Sometimes picking a group fitness class that targets one of these days will commit you to be there and on time, and someone is leading you through the workout. No one is looking at you, so don't be self conscious!

If you want to do it solo, vary up your cardio so you get well rounded workouts, and then pick an upper body strength day and a lower body strength day. Good luck!!!

Re: i need a plan, stan (help, kinda longish)

thanks so much everyone for your suggestions!! can't wait to get started!