I half-heartedly started using the Total Gym in February of 2018, but it was not until August of 2018 that I got serious about it. I saw some pictures of myself and just knew that I needed to get more serious about my health, and my latest blood work showed that my cholesterol was still very high and I refused to consider taking a statin. I was already eating better and had attempted some exercising by going to some Pilates classes, but did not exercise on a consistent basis. Then one day I saw someone post a message about challenging themselves with a #200workouts challenge and knew that I needed to do that and needed something to be accountable for. Today I’m at 125 of my #200workouts and every day I journal and keep track of the exercises that I do.
I use the Total Gym because I can do it at HOME. I used to get up at 4:00am to get ready to drive to a gym 40 minutes away to do early morning workouts with some friends before going to work. Granted the gym was close to my work, but that’s crazy! I loved working out with my friends, but the drive could be stressful, especially if I was running late, and the packing of clothes, lunches, work items and showing at the gym just wasn’t my thing. My workout time now is less than what my drive was before.
It’s difficult to describe the all benefits I get from using the Total Gym. It allows me to relax when I work out without stress. It allows me to work on a sanitary machine that I don’t have to worry about anyone outside of our house using it and lingering germs. It allows me to work at my pace and take my time setting up the machine to my specifications without worrying that there is someone else who is waiting to use the machine. The Total Gym allows me to work out as long or as short as I want any time, or several times a day.
I started off using the Total Gym with some basic arm exercises while sitting up and laying down, and doing squats doing 10 minutes a day. Gradually other exercises were added, and I was then up to 20 minutes a day, but doing the same exercises every time I worked out. Today I do 20-30 minutes, simply because I enjoy it. I do the list below as exercises I do every day, but I do other exercises too, just not on a consistent basis. Rosalie Brown challenged the Total Gym users to a “fABruary” and to do 40 reps of our favorite ab exercise. I chose to do 40 reps of TWO ab exercises; sit-up with cables and the “Christie Brinkley” laying down oblique swivel. I also started this year to add an exercise into the rotation every one-two weeks and recently added planking at the end of the glide board. At this time, I can only do 20 seconds, but hope that is about to change as I get stronger!
I use the Total Gym because I can do it at HOME. I used to get up at 4:00am to get ready to drive to a gym 40 minutes away to do early morning workouts with some friends before going to work. Granted the gym was close to my work, but that’s crazy! I loved working out with my friends, but the drive could be stressful, especially if I was running late, and the packing of clothes, lunches, work items and showing at the gym just wasn’t my thing. My workout time now is less than what my drive was before.
It’s difficult to describe the all benefits I get from using the Total Gym. It allows me to relax when I work out without stress. It allows me to work on a sanitary machine that I don’t have to worry about anyone outside of our house using it and lingering germs. It allows me to work at my pace and take my time setting up the machine to my specifications without worrying that there is someone else who is waiting to use the machine. The Total Gym allows me to work out as long or as short as I want any time, or several times a day.
I started off using the Total Gym with some basic arm exercises while sitting up and laying down, and doing squats doing 10 minutes a day. Gradually other exercises were added, and I was then up to 20 minutes a day, but doing the same exercises every time I worked out. Today I do 20-30 minutes, simply because I enjoy it. I do the list below as exercises I do every day, but I do other exercises too, just not on a consistent basis. Rosalie Brown challenged the Total Gym users to a “fABruary” and to do 40 reps of our favorite ab exercise. I chose to do 40 reps of TWO ab exercises; sit-up with cables and the “Christie Brinkley” laying down oblique swivel. I also started this year to add an exercise into the rotation every one-two weeks and recently added planking at the end of the glide board. At this time, I can only do 20 seconds, but hope that is about to change as I get stronger!
LIST OF EXERCISES: (minimum of 2 sets of 10 repetitions)
My first measurements were taken on August 2, 2018 and I did not take them again until February 2019. In six months, I have lost 10 pounds and 17 inches!!! My clothes are fitting better, my posture is better, and I just plain feel better. People are starting to notice a little bit now, too.
I took measurements of areas that some might consider odd, but that were a concern to me. For example, I am measuring around my elbows (what I call grandmother elbow fat), around my knees (a super sensitive area for me that drives me insane and I can’t wait for it to go away), and around my ankles and upper arms. I don’t know how many inches I still have to lose….but it will be interesting to see how much I lose each month now.
One change that I noticed this past month is that my shoulder pain is greatly reduced by starting to use the wing attachment on daily basis and doing pull-ups and chin-ups. I had actually been considering to buy a fairly expensive pillow to help me sleep and now don’t need to!
Another benefit is that my eating habits are healthier and I consume very little alcohol now. I used to have a few drinks during the week and on the weekend. Now, I have no desire for alcohol, and if I do have some, one or two glasses of wine over the week are more than enough.
57 – That’s the age that I started to work out on a consistent basis. 57! Lots of people have exercised their whole life – but not me. It’s never too late to start. Whether it’s to lose weight, get off/ prevent starting to take medications or to fit into that dress or pair of pants, just do it. Every time another year would go bye I would wonder why I was so lazy and didn’t do anything about my health the previous year. Don’t do what I did! Remember – “A year from now you’ll wish that you had started today”.
Total Gym has models that can fit anyone’s budget. If I can do it, you can too.
Goals for next month:
I took measurements of areas that some might consider odd, but that were a concern to me. For example, I am measuring around my elbows (what I call grandmother elbow fat), around my knees (a super sensitive area for me that drives me insane and I can’t wait for it to go away), and around my ankles and upper arms. I don’t know how many inches I still have to lose….but it will be interesting to see how much I lose each month now.
One change that I noticed this past month is that my shoulder pain is greatly reduced by starting to use the wing attachment on daily basis and doing pull-ups and chin-ups. I had actually been considering to buy a fairly expensive pillow to help me sleep and now don’t need to!
Another benefit is that my eating habits are healthier and I consume very little alcohol now. I used to have a few drinks during the week and on the weekend. Now, I have no desire for alcohol, and if I do have some, one or two glasses of wine over the week are more than enough.
57 – That’s the age that I started to work out on a consistent basis. 57! Lots of people have exercised their whole life – but not me. It’s never too late to start. Whether it’s to lose weight, get off/ prevent starting to take medications or to fit into that dress or pair of pants, just do it. Every time another year would go bye I would wonder why I was so lazy and didn’t do anything about my health the previous year. Don’t do what I did! Remember – “A year from now you’ll wish that you had started today”.
Total Gym has models that can fit anyone’s budget. If I can do it, you can too.
Goals for next month:
- add in 2 more exercises to the routine
- eat healthy (low carbs – healthy carbs)
Teresa
11 Mar 2019you mentioned that you work out at a lower level, what level do you workout at?