Starting at the Gym

 So, I am now a month out form my surgery and down 27 pounds.  (405 in February, 365 day of the surgery, now down to 438.)  I just have signed up with a gym in town, and had a good first meeting - I am starting to workout on Monday at 8:00a with a personal trainer.

The reason I am going to a gym is to formalize the entire exercise portion of my new life, and this gym is real close to my life - work, metro and where I live.

Now, I have NEVER worked out a gym before, and looking for a good suggestions on how to start a new gym life.

Thank you all in advance.

Hey Matt...

Well I just got on the computer and see there was a stunning slience to you questions, and you may be wondering why..

I can speak for myself....

I used a personal trainer for just a few sessions...then ..(In total I had 3 different trainers...) they were *****s...all thery cared about was getting your money and watching the clock tick...if you sigh a big contract for about $500 then you will get some attention....(brother i'm sorry to be all gloom a doom here)

What I wanted was someone to teach me how to work out...what they want is for you to be dependent on them , so that yo can not exercise on your own...

since you have not been in the gym for a while..use them, to get comfortable in that space...the gym can be very intimidating...

I have not been able to find a trainer yet that understands out diet restrictions...no matter how much they say they have worked with wls patients...so remember...you doc sets you diet...not the trainer...

go have fun , get comfortable in the gym space...and start...little by little...go slow, and make friends with the cardio...that is your best friend...

chat back let us know how it went...

Mathew

Great job getting motivated and taking the Bull by the horns. We started IDGOMB (I Did Get Off My Butt) thread when you start exercise please post it helps many get active. If nobody has started the post for the day go ahead and jump in. Looking forward to seeing your progress. C'ya Bob

Hey Russ,

I agree with your assessment of personal trainers. I had a 3 month free membership at a big fancy, smancy gym last winter and a lot of people had personal trainers. After setting up a workout plan for their clients, the trainers became glorified cheerleaders.

I don't want to understate the benefit of the knowledge transfer regarding fitness nor the value of the motivation but most of the trainers I spoke to seemed to actually know very little about fitness and nutrition. They seemed to be passing on what they had been told and what worked for them.
To a T.....all of them were hotties which is part of the job description.

Boner

The trainer should be able to set you up with a basic strength and muscle building program. I didn't think you were supposed to lift for 6 weeks so ask your doc. 

Your exercise program should be a combo of strength and cardio 3-5 times a week. Let us know if you have specific questions after you meet with the trainer since telling someone about "how to start a new gym life" is an endless discussion.

Best of luck.

Boner