As a birdwatcher, not a gym girl, I have steered clear of exercising indoors. Why should I go inside to do the same things I can do hiking or even walking my neighborhood at a rapid pace?
Last time I belonged to a gym it was a 10,000 member mixed crowd, and always full of people. I enjoyed getting into shape but when I got the flu, I blamed it either on the gym or the Washington DC Metro crowds as I commuted after my workouts.
Now that I have joined Total Woman I am so impressed with the atmosphere of community here. One day I wanted to give up my membership (only a week in, mind you) because of my old outdoor preferences. Gina talked me down off the ledge of apprehension and even got me to reschedule my personal training days so that I could enjoy the quieter times. She talked me through the best possible scheduling for me and showed genuine support on my subsequent visits.
My personal trainer is Sherri Johnson. What an amazing person! Sherri could make a pile of bricks who is 50 lbs overweight (basically describes me yeah) feel like a jock at the end of a training session.
Sherri taught me about food journaling which really helps me be conscious of what I eat.
I cook my meals ahead of time on Sunday for the week. After the gym, although I could eat everything I see, I know what is in my fridge and I head straight for the controlled plan.
After yesterday's workout I feel great and will be balancing my outdoor hikes/walks with weights and training measures that I have been taught.
The facility is clean and beautiful and you will be amazed at all the great mid-senior age women who obviously enjoy the gym and its classes.
Since moving to LA I had not established a good workout routine and I think now I might be able to show up at that high school reunion I am arranging in September looking less like Jesse Ventura with 3 muffin tops on my muffin top and more like a Superb 61 year old Me!
See you there!!

-Ellen O.
9/01/2011