diet | The Running Enthusiast

Since I really wanted to go back in training, I’ve decided to go to the gym and do either a bike or run on a treadmill. I’ve got everything plotted since last week and I’ve already started my diet plan. It’s gonna look like there are gym days and there would be road days; less weights for me though and more on cardio. Since I do not want to enroll to popular fitness centers (no need to mention them), I’ve decided to go to our friendly neighborhood gym.

Yesterday was day 1. As I arrived at the gym I was greeted politely by the attendant and accommodated my queries about the fees and gym hours (I wanted to do it after work). I was glad to see 2 bikes and a treadmill as they are on top of my list of machines. I was put aback when they mentioned that the treadmill was down and needed repair. Well at least they still have the bike. So I opted to do cycling. It wasn’t the best cycling experience for me as compared to what I had in Cebu back in February. Though the bike is similar, the feel wasn’t that close. I suppose the bikes were not well maintained by the owner and they put much less priority to cardio machines. Why? As I was cycling, I saw two (2) treadmills put aside and I assume those were all due for repair. So now that makes it 3 since the last one is also down.

Anyway, I managed to finish a 30-minute cycling exercise last night and got their floor splattered with sweat (yuck!). It felt great to see myself all drenched with sweat and thinking that I’m ready to be back (in shape).

For those, like me who wanted to be back in shape and training, you should be taking the following considerations when choosing a gym:

1 – You may opt to enroll at a cheaper gym than those popular ones
2 – Choose a gym near either to your place of work or your home
3 – Check their schedule and if it fits yours taking into consideration your work/school schedule
4 – Check the fee. Some would ask for a membership fee plus pay per session and others are okay with pay per session; I would go for pay per session
5 – When choosing #1, be sure to survey the area and the machines and equipment
6 – Know if the machines and equipments are working
7 – Know if they have back up of the machines and equipments
8 – I do not have issues on bathrooms or changing rooms since the gym is within the village but for some they are important. Inspect for cleanliness and if they have water.
9 – Check if they have lockers so you will know if you can bring your stuff inside the gym without the fear of losing them
10 – Bring your own drink/hydration

Since I was not quite satisfied with the gym that I went to yesterday, I’ll hop 0nto another next week.

While waiting for the conference call, I’ve decided to write something about myself. I’ve never written anything about me and how I looked like before, like 2 to 3 years ago.

Weight wasn’t really a problem for me when I was in my teenage years perhaps because I was very active then especially when I was still in High School. I actually started to gain weight when I started working. As you know I’m working for a BPO company and that my work entails sitting in front of a computer for 7-8 hours a day plus on a shifting schedule and mostly in the night shift (others call it third or graveyard shift). Studies show that most of the professionals who work in this kind of industry tends to get fat and obese and I guess, I was one of them. lol! I live a sedentary lifestyle before. My only exercise then was walking…at the mall. lol! In 2007 I was ruled out of having borderline hypertension and that was when it sinked in…I am fat! Since then I tried to resolve this by going to the gym almost everyday and engaging in a yo-yo diet. Honestly, all these didn’t work. What happened was that I gained body mass and got even heavier. I really felt bad. My friends didn’t know that I suffered some sort of anxiety because of this.

That’s me on the pictures showcased (showcased?) above. As you can see, I was really really fat.

I started to to get serious about losing weight early this year (2010) and successfully lost around 15 pounds from the same month when I started rigorous dieting. That’s when running also came in and became my new hobby (you already know that story).

kotr_3 — taken after my first half marathon

I lost a total of almost 50 pounds since fourth quarter of 2009 up to date. Looking forward to shed more pounds before my first marathon event in March 2011. It was really mind blowing seeing my old pictures. Never thought that I would be able to lose that amount of weight with pure determination, discipline, diligence and perseverance.

There you have it! Hope you enjoyed my post.

NB: Thanks to Banjo who gave me the idea to write about this.

Bouncing Back

Anyway, I managed to finish a 30-minute cycling exercise last night and got their floor splattered with sweat (yuck!). It felt great to see myself all drenched with sweat and thinking that I’m ready to be back (in shape).

For those, like me who wanted to be back in shape and training, you should be taking the following considerations when choosing a gym:

Since I was not quite satisfied with the gym that I went to yesterday, I’ll hop 0nto another next week.

My Weight Loss Journey