Gym Decisions

Okay so after the dramz of yesterday's post I wanted to write something normal. I'm 100% fine, I am just internally frustrated and feeling a little lost on this healthiness goal (I really dislike the word "journey").

Yoga last night was pretty good, but the Instructor seems to forget it's an "all levels" class. Luckily I've done some yoga in the past so I was able to keep up, but there's no way a newbie would have been able to follow. Sometimes it's discouraging to feel like I'm the least flexible, most break-taking newb in the class, but I just try to remind myself that everyone had to start somewhere. Every person in the room had to step into a class for the first time. I haven't enjoyed yoga in the past but am really taking to it this time around. A lot of people told me I just HAD to go to a studio to get the true yoga experience. That might be true, but I think it has more to do with the intensity and diversity of the classes rather than the studio environment. Who knows. I'm not sure what I'll do after my 2-week trial is up. It's hard to justify the high prices for a yoga studio when I'm already paying $50/month for a gym. Speaking of gyms...

My yearly membership at my gym will be either renewed or cancelled next month and I'm so torn on what to do. Here's the options:

1. Stay at Gold's:
Pros:
- Reasonably priced ($49/month)
- Lots of exercise machines (w/ TVs!)
- Decent fitness classes and schedule
- Close to home (10-ish minute walk)
- Can use Gold's gym in NY
- Women's fitness room
Cons:
- The walk is scary. It goes through a pretty desolate part of South Boston and in the winter when it's dark at 7:30 this can be really terrifying for me. **This is the main reason I'm considering switching gyms!
- Classes are *just* decent. I don't love them.
- No signup process for classes
- Will have to sign up for a year to keep the low price
- Closes early on weekdays and weekends (9:30 on weekdays)

2. Join another gym in Southie (I have one in mind):
Pros:
- Super close to my apartment (less than 5 minute walk) and on the way home from work
- My roommate is a member (motivation)
- Basic membership is cheaper than Gold's ($35/month), membership w/ classes is $50/month -- basically what I pay now
- Informal signup process for classes
Cons:
- $99 or $149 signup fee (yearly vs. monthly payment)
- Decent, but limited group fitness class schedule
- VERY small, worried that right after work would be crazy busy
- Doesn't seem as nice (in general) as Gold's
- Closes early on weekdays and weekends (9:30 on weekdays)

3. Join a gym close to work (I have one in mind):
Pros:
- Will get to the gym earlier = get home earlier, more class options
- A nicer gym with free towel, sauna, and lock service
- Huge variety of fitness classes
Cons:
- most expensive ($75 for basic membership + $99 or $149 signup fee)
- would most likely never work out on the weekends (it would take about 45 minutes to get to the gym from home)

Of course there's always the option of not joining a gym at all. But I doubt that will happen. I'm leaning toward #2 for now. The convenience + equivalent pricing + having a gym buddy is really doing it for me. I have another month to think about it so I'm going to try out both of the gyms and then will update!

I have to share this. My lunch today reminded me of elementary school! I had rolled up cold cuts, pretzels and fruit.

I used to eat this every day when I was younger because I "didn't like sandwiches". I used to ask my mom to put a piece of plastic wrap between the meat and cheese because the cheese would make the others soggy. So weird. Not gonna lie, I considered doing it last night when I was making this.

Happy Friday!!