I hadnt' planned on joining. Especially with my financial situation but after going to just check it out I couldn't resist the state of the art equipment. I was so impressed and facility was so nice and full of life. My husband sorta made the final decision, he said that he would like the basketball membership part of it and since he likes playing ball and the daycare service is included I would definitely get my workout done. They have this computerized equipment on all of there cardio stuff that saves your workout for you no matter what machine you get on. It's called FitLinxx and you get immediate feedback on every exercise you do and then you have access to that information online. It tracks everything you do and also has something on the machine that makes sure your form is correct. You also get free access to a personal trainer that actually helps you and monitors your workout. I was sold on that alone. Then they had the cycle class and one was in session... it appeared doable.
The swim area was open to the public as well as the basketball court. I was so impressed that I signed up. Everyone was ready to stay and workout. They don't close until 9 and open at 5:30... heck I never even get up for work until 7 so if I could get into a good system I could finally get this exercise thing going.
So we joined... the family membership was less than $75 per month... I figured I couldn't beat that deal and there are no contracts to sign like a regular gym... I set it up to come off my credit card each month so that it would never intefer with my bills. I have learned from past mistakes to never let anything touch my bank/checking account. A credit card has a lot more protection than my checking account. So I am just thrilled. I was all giddy... my husband laughed at me but I told him that i was just so impressed that I just was giddy.
He said that he would take care of the bill each month so I was satisfied with that and we went ahead and joined.

Today was a good day eating wise. I had my snack at 2 and then again at 4. It helped sustain me until about 7:30 when I finally got home and ate dinner. Leftover's from yesterday. My mom called and was fussing saying how "red meat stays in your system for a long time and would affect my weight"... I didn't bother to get into a discussion with her about it. I am sticking with the notion of staying in my calories and trying to get in more fruit and veggies. that's my goal and I am not going to keep being swayed everytime someone says something otherwise. So I feel good about today. I even had bacon and eggs this morning and I was like- wow- it is only 179 calories... why was I afraid to eat this?
I asked to delay my meeting with my nutritionist until the 31st... I didn't want to go with my weight being up from my cycle. The next two weeks with my YMCA membership I plan on really striving to workout EVERYDAY- I know that's a tall glass to swallow but that is my goal... I need to do it even if its just 30 minutes a day at a slow pace. I know I can do it.


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So after posting the above... I got up and put on my sweats and went to the gym for the first time in goodness knows when. I got on the treadclimber... I had wanted to try that machine out for a while now... it was actually a good workout. Burned 170 calories in 20 minutes... maybe more since I didn't put in my weight because normally that is for the average size person which equates to be 150 pounds. It is like hiking instead of walking on the treadmill. I attached a picture to check it out. I even broke a sweat which I don't do easily... the last 5 minutes was tough... but I did it and I feel so proud of myself. I think I made a good decision tonight.

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On the financial front... I just realized and discovered that it really doesn't take much for us to make it through the month or week to week for that matter. I think all this time I have been spending money because it was there. I swear getting a second bank account was such a good idea. Now we allocate $100 bucks per week between the two of us for gas and miscellaneous purchases. As I put this theory to practice and I realize that we just was spending money uneccessarily and I am finding that I think twice about my frivilous purchases. I use to just see something and buy it but now I am like- hmmm its only Monday and I still need to make it to Friday... if there is something leftover on Friday then maybe I will get it. It works out well because tonight we paid $20 to get started on our membership at the Y... just last Friday I was about to spend $20 on this diet website membership and another $20 on this tape series I wanted to buy. Both purchases can wait... I saved $40 just because I realized that it would only leave us with $60 bucks for the next six days...
In theory my goal is to use the remainder of my money minus the $100 to make it throught the week on bills and savings. I was simply applying way too much money on stupid stuff and impulse buying. I could go on and on about my new application to my finances... but I rather put it to work first and see how it all fans out. So far- the last two weeks have been good. I have never had money actually leftover when my next paycheck is due. I actually had $200 leftover on Sunday that i was able to apply to more bills. I still have $40 of that leftover too but I want to have a buffer.

Okay sorry for the rambling... I just have a lot going on in my life and I use to journal all the time... it really helps me release tension. so I guess I am catching up on the last six months of my life that I haven't been journaling.