I haven’t had a gym membership in over two years. I remember the last gym (an independent gym in Redding California) tried really hard to convince me not to cancel my membership even though I was moving to Portland, Oregon. I was looking at the girl with disbelief when she asked “Are you sure you want to cancel? we would be willing to reduce your membership fee by $4.99 a month”. My reply was simply “Do you realize that Portland is 400 miles away?” Oh well.

Anyway, I just discovered that I get discounted gym memberships through my health insurance provider (Regence Blue Cross of Oregon). Cool thing, there is a a Gold’s Gym 3 blocks from our apartment and they are in the network. As I was looking into it, I saw just how much money I would save. My initiation fee was onle $59.00 and I’m billed ($12.95) Bi-weekly. Compare that to $150.00 initiation and $40.00 a month for a regular membership.

So before you go and join a new gym, double check that you are covered by your health insurance provider, and you could save money while working out.

Isn’t “quitting smoking and losing weight” a condradiction in terms? Seems to be, since I recently quit smoking, yet find my belly growing again. I’ve been trying to stick to sunflower seeds and coffee for my snacking, but mochas and chocolate and other euphoric endorphin stimulating substitutes call.

Well, I do. Running still sucks and I’m not good at it, mostly because I abhore it. Like today, I ran/walked for 20mins. I’m getting better and can run for more than 3 minutes. Today, I wasn’t out of breath when that 3 min. mark came, but I didn’t want to run anymore. I wanted to walk. Good news though-I have found a steadfast workout partner. I haven’t met her yet, but she sounds amped, and even willing to join Golds! Other good news is that Golds has added a plethra of yoga classes, which my back/neck require because as it turns out I can’t even walk without falling down and then having to get re-adjusted.

In other news, Boise, Idaho is 75 degrees today.

As kyle posted previously, I have been doing yoga. I do it regularly, but not regularly enough. What Kyle neglected to inform all you was that I have been running like a mad dog at the gym. Not to say I’m a bad ass or anything…but I can run for 4 minutes without stopping…jealousss? I do a run walk like that for about 1/2 hour 3 nights a week. Running gets the weight off, I’m over those pussy elyptical machines.

Also I’ve been doing one hundered sit-ups per day.

Nicole has been doing yoga everyday for the past two weeks. She has shown increased energy and flexibility. With renewed energy, it makes sense that she will become more active and show an increase in her metabolism.

Myself, I’m also trying to stretch more, I might even take up yoga. Mostly, I need to strengthen my legs, as I have been skateboarding everyday, and find that I get tired…quickly. I can feel the solid burn in my quads and calves, so I know it’s doing something.