Page 34 of 65

My gym opened this week and I had to decide if I should return to the gym. That was a tough decision and I’m feeling ambivalent about it so did what any person would do. I avoided the decision. I put my membership on hold for a year with the understanding that I can reactivate it at any time.

Reasons to Return to the Gym

I miss going to the gym.

• Consistency and Strength:

I’m not getting in the strength training that I was while regularly going to the gym. I do some strength training but not much. I’m doing better at cardio but even that is not consistent. I obviously do better when going to the gym is on my schedule.

• Social Life:

I also miss the social aspects of the gym. I miss seeing people in my boot camp class, I miss the women in the locker room, and I miss talking to the trainers and front desk people. Who would think that a person would miss the locker room?

Reasons Not to Return to the Gym

• Wearing a Mask:

Going to the gym is going to require wearing a mask. I’m not opposed to wearing a mask; I do it all the time. I’m just a bit concerned about working hard with a mask on. My gym is providing mask-free areas so this might not be a major concern.

• Staying healthy:

If you look at any list of the places where you’re most likely to contract a virus, including the Covid-19 virus, gyms are close to the top of the list. I know that my gym is making every effort to clean and sanitize equipment and to separate workstations but it’s still a risk. How big a risk is the question and I don’t know the answer.

Is the risk of contracting the virus greater than the benefits of working out?

• Money:

I definitely have noticed that not paying the monthly fee and not paying for personal training has improved my financial state. I’m not working right now so have been trying to be conservative in my expenses. Not going to the gym has helped. I know that we make our priorities and I could find the money if I wanted.

Decision

I deferred restarting my membership, knowing that I could restart at any time. That helps. I think the fact that it’s summer and I can go outside to run or walk or ride a bike makes it easier to stay home from the gym.

I also just set up my home gym and I can use that for a while. It’s convenient and doesn’t cost me additional money.

If I really need a schedule to stay consistent, I could pay a trainer to work with me remotely or at a park once a week.

Have you chosen to return to the gym? If so, how’s it going? If not, why not? Let me know. I’d love to hear what others think about this.

We  were very honored to be interviewed recently for a podcast and wanted to share the news with you.

You can hear about our story when we are interviewed on a podcast from France called Keto Woman by Daisy Brackenhall. https://ketowomanpodcast.com/138/

Hope you enjoy listening. Please leave a message and let us know what you think!

Bike riding feels great! One thing I really love about cardio exercise is the endorphins floating around in my body after a great workout.

Even if it’s not a terribly strenuous exercise, but just a good steady cardio, it feels great.

This morning I took a 20 mile bike ride with a friend and the weather was ideal. The temperature was around 70 and just a light wind was blowing. I had on shirt sleeves and bike shorts, didn’t even need a jacket. Mot a cloud in the sky!

The route I take during the weekends I refer to as the Kent loop. I’ve written about it before. People in Kent probably call it the Stow loop or the Hudson loop, but it travels through all of those communities.

A screen shot from Strava.

The bike trail has some hills, bending paths and is 100% pavement. Some of the trail is along side of the road, but most of it is on a bike trail which I find more relaxing.

Part of the trail meanders along the north side of the Cuyahoga River. The water has some small rapids. At Brust Park there were a whole of rubber rafts along the river bank. People were out walking, bike riding and enjoying the weather.

What cardio exercise do you enjoy doing? Running? Biking? Dancing? Swimming? Is it primarily outside or something you do inside? Do you get the same lift from it as I do? Leave me a message below.

During podcast #59, Pam Sherman talked about her BAS Big Ass Salad. It’s full of greens, cabbage, nuts and delicious healthy foods.

I tried to make my version of it, but have dubbed mine the LAS Little Ass Salad. I guess because I don’t want to talk subliminally to my a$$ about being big?

Also, when I look at my picture in these cute little bowls, it felt less like a main meal and more of a side dish.

Ingredients:

Chopped vegetables: squash, tomatoes, cabbage carrots sweet yellow peppers, onions and celery.
Prepare couscous and stir into vegetables.
For protein I added Red Kidney Beans and tuna.

Dressing- Cider vinegar olive oil and lemon juice. Oregano, salt and pepper to taste.

I made plenty and also had it the next day. I think it was even better because the dressing soaked into the ingredients.

Last weekend I got back on the bike and managed to get a good 22-mile ride. First ride in a while! It was thanks to my bike riding buddy who sent a text and I couldn’t say no.

Wow did it feel great to be back on the bike!!! Definitely my happy place.

I know some folks are riding as groups again, but I’m not interested in doing that now. I breathe too hard when I’m riding!!

In case the bike looks weird to you… I was about it put it into my car, so the front wheel is off. 😉

We left at 7 am before most people even wake up on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. The weather was perfect! Not too hot, but lots of sun.

As we rode, the temperature rose. And over the next two hours there were more people on the trails, most wearing masks.

As a bike rider, I did not wear a mask, but I did have my usual bandana and pulled it up over my mouth and nose while passing walkers. Most of the walkers were older and wearing masks.

It’s almost like the early morning hours have become the perfect hours for older people who are trying to avoid other people.

Like most women in the Becoming Elli Community, I’m trying to stay fit and strong. Getting a bike ride with a good friend when the weather is great and the trails are almost empty was especially awesome, as we are still fighting the spread of the virus.

Like many others, my parents are in the super high risk category of COVID-19. With the recent doctor visits and near future visits, I don’t want to take any chances with them.  But I also know how critically important it is for my mental and physical health to get out on my bike!

What’s your go-to exercise that you absolutely love?!? Are you able to do it at this stage of the quarantine? Please leave a message in the comments below, on our voicemail at 330-970-6662 or email me at Chris@becomingelli.com.