Image by superphoebe via FlickrSo, I used to have a bunch of health problems. Basically, I think that high stress, a bad diet, and a lifetime of sleep problems manifested as all kinds of mess from pancreatic issues to fibromyalgia to even being misdiagnosed with MS!My only real problems that remain are annoying allergies to just about anything indoors and outdoors as well as food allergies to poultry and eggs. These things are controlled well by allergy pills and avoiding poultry and egg, so everything is pretty hunky dory.
I got on the road to wellness by getting care at Nature Cures clinic in Portland. They are seriously the only ones that ever helped me make lasting changes in my health and comfort. My treatment worked so well that I went from testing horribly to having textbook perfect results on my bloodwork at the UW medical center. It was there that the Doctor said, "Well, you're really very healthy. Just fat- that's really the only thing you have left." (OK, he probavbly didn't use the word "fat," but whatever...) And, sadly, or happily, this is true.
So, with a new-found spring in my step, I embark on my next health journey: fitness! It's true that I've put on a buncha weight since moving back to Portland, but that is really just the physical evidence of poor cardiovascular health and overall fitness resulting from too much computer sitting, a poor diet, and not enough running around and getting awesome on a physical level. Work & graduate school are my ass' enemy.
I have spent the last month investigating gyms in the Portland area to see where I will be getting awesome on a physical level. After much deliberating and comparison, I have chosen the big, somewhat douchey 24 hr Fitness in the Pearl. Why? Well, it came down to locations/convenience, a saltwater pool, price, and the personal trainer I met- Lea.
I plan to continue with at least one more blog post, maybe upload my little spreadsheet to compare and contrast Portland gyms for anyone interested, but I would also love to hear from y'all about your gyms and your workout preferences in the comments.
Do you use a gym?
Which one?
What is your favorite workout?
Do you use/have you used a personal trainer?
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9 comments:
Hey! Good for you! I am really good at signing up for gyms, not so good at going to them. I do very well with a personal trainer to kick my ass, but am lazy on my own. I have a NordicTrak-like machine at home that I use, and dog-walking, but I am really flabby and have no core strength. You are inspiring me!
I have the same problem, so it was all about just sucking it up and buying trainer sessions.
I belong to Westcoast fitness. They have lots of yoga classes and spin class which are two important ones for me. Plus they have a lot of machines and no one looks at my dumb outfits with scorn. I am going to do the Portland Marathon this year, that is my goal.
Westcoast was a high contender as they are super convenient location-wise for me, and they are much more laid-back, with virtually no douche factor. I think their yoga classes are excellent, and they have very good fees, too. OMG on the Portland Marathon! good for you! color me impressed!
I used to belong to Lloyd Athletic Club. They don't make you sign a contract, which was the clincher for me. And my sign-up fee was discounted because of my health insurance. No pool though.
Lloyd Athletic was the first gym I joined in Portland because my friends were there and they give a good deal on couples. They did make me sign a contract, and they were huuuuuge dicks about it when I wanted to quit because I was working at Nike and getting free gym there. I found their yoga and other classes to be excellent, enjoyed the women only hot tub and steam room, but I found the rest of their facilities to be very lacking. I also felt that many of the senior staff were kind of assholish and a little rude at times. Being a racquetball club that sells beer, it has a weird vibe. They were fairly convenient and had good hours and good class times.
You are awesome! I have no doubt you can set whatever goals you set your mind too. I am so in the same place, just joined Westside Athletic Club (we have a deal through work) and have been going a bit. I think the best gym is the one you go to. This one is kinda lived in, not super facilities, but everyone is nice and it's low key, and across the street from my work. So hells yeah.
With my newfound smobriety, I'm all about the health focus. We've got to take pup for a long walk. Let's set a date. Next week. Any day.
that's a 10-4 and a word-up, lil Jenny! hooray for health!
What the stupid fuck. How did I not know you had a blog? HOORAY!
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