Friday 6 September 2013

The Gym? ...or not the Gym?

I've been toying with the idea recently of joining a Gym simply because I feel the need to get fit, having lost a fair few pounds over the past six months. I need toning up and think swimming might be just the job. So I've made enquiries at our local Gym (a well-known nationwide consortium). They quoted me £44 per month off peak (9am to 3pm) which would include the swims. I decided to mull it over.

Yesterday, once I'd dropped the boys off at school I took myself off for a walk around one of our local commons.



It was so peaceful, you could hear a pin drop. I walked for about 45 minutes, listening to the birds, watching the squirrels burying their acorns, said lots of 'good mornings' to the plethora of dog walkers, taking in the flora around me and generally enjoyed the fresh air.



This made me realise how lucky I am to have so many lovely walking places all within a stone's throw of home.

Several commons







Various woodlands





Several Country Parks








Many marshlands



An abundance of riverside walks



plenty of beaches






and in all directions



You know where I'm coming from don't you!

All this for FREE on my doorstep as against £528 per year at the Gym where I'd struggle to get there twice a week in the permitted times, the car park is always full to capacity, the exercise equipment chock-a-block, classes invariably need to be booked at least seven days in advance and you have to pick the right time for a swim to avoid the aquarobic classes. Now I'm not knocking it - each to their own, but I know what I prefer.

So - onwards and upwards. Cold weather doesn't bother me - wet weather might, but at least I can pick my times to suit my fancy.

Have a great weekend 
x




22 comments:

  1. I'm with you on this Patricia. I'm not a gym person myself either but I love walking and with so many lovely public footpaths on the doorstep there's no excuse not to go out and enjoy it.

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  2. Best thing we ever did was to start our walks. We now walk once a week with friends and 2 or 3 times a week by ourselves. We invested in proper walking boot and wet weather gear. Almost nothing deters us now.

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  3. Hi Patricia,
    I wish that I lived closer so that we could walk together. I have nothing that even comes close to your wonderful walking paths. There are a few parks and path, but they are all a ride to get there.
    Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting, you have become a lovely and most precious friend.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)
    P.S. The air is far from fresh in the gym and fresh air is so exhilarating.

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  4. You are blessed, truly. And you're so right, why pay that amount of money? I have joined a few gyms over my time, paid out my membership and maybe went a handful of times, yet when I exercise at home, I stick more with it. I have a silly question, how are the mosquitos over in that area with all of the woods? I've always wondered that!
    Tammy x

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  5. Oh, I so agree with you, you really cant beat a walk in the country for fitness and fresh air and endorphinating. What are you going to buy with that £500 + you just saved?
    Joy xx

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  6. What a beautiful part of the country you live in - I should make the most of it and give the gym a miss - perhaps you should get a bicycle and explore even more.

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  7. I agree entirely with you, Patricia. I've never fancied gyms either and not just because of the expense - walking is such good exercise and you have so many lovely places to walk in:)

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  8. Some beautiful places you've got to walk in. Who needs expensive gyms with all that! xx

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  9. I'm a walker. I'm sure I am prejudice, but I think it is the best all-around exercise you can get, and it is free. It looks like you have lots of wonderful walks near where you live to take advantage of too.

    Having said that, there is a strong case to be made for weight/resistance training, especially as we get older. It helps keep our bones healthy. But you don't need to go to the gym to do this. You could just invest a few pounds in a couple of hand weights and find some exercises on YouTube. By the way - that is a very pricey gym. When I lived in Kamloops I was going to the YMCA and it was about $50 a month.

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  10. I got you, after the first paragraph... indeed Patricia.. you have it all at your fingertips and near home.
    Its all a matter of mind over matter. Just need to focus on it. like the Americans say "do it"):- i will try more walking this year.. as the weather gets cooler.. not too far, as my hip gets painful.
    Look at all those lovely walks.. you could even jog a little.. beautiful places.
    Thank you for your most kind comments Patricia.. on my post. I couldnt put anymore photos up.... there are so many.. At least i gave a taste of what the wedding was like.. My children were are so happy, and that makes me happy too.
    have a great weekend.
    hugs val xx

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  11. What a great collection of places to walk to- I'm sure once you start there won't be any stopping you. Looking back over your posts it looks like you had a good summer. I'm playing catch up myself, but it's nice to be back and reading what you've been up to. Have a great weekend,
    Amanda

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  12. What pretty places you have to walk, that's what I do walk each day.

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  13. I think this is a great idea, and if you are lucky enough to have a public swimming baths near you, you could still go for the odd swim. Well done and I look forward to seeing some of the lovely places you walk yourself to fitness!
    Xxx

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  14. With such a lovely selection of walks, it would be crazy to pay to walk on a treadmill, Patricia! I walk every day, but there is only one suitable, though quite nice one in our area, which goes along by a creek. However, I really enjoy it, and like you have lost a lot of weight this year. It feels good, doesn't it :) I hate gyms, but do see a personal trainer for weight training, and do more exercise at home using my own weights. It all helps with the old bones! Happy Sunday xx

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  15. Wise decision Patricia - just think what you can spend that £528 on at the end of the year when you are totally toned and very fit from all your lovely walks.

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  16. According to my calculator that would be about £5 per gym visit! I think the walking wins hands down. Jx

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  17. Quite right too. Who wants to be on a treadmill watching the TV when you can be looking at the seasons changing.

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  18. You have such lovely walks close by you, you don't really need to exercise inside with so many others. It's always nice to walk with a friend, but it sounds like there are lots of folk to greet as you walk. It will be beautiful in those woods through Autumn.

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  19. I am SO with you here, Patricia! The one draw back I find with walking is being a lone, female walker - but that can be got round, and if you walk somewhere well peopled it shouldn't be a problem. I HATE the gym, and only used to go to swim - but that is pretty steep for merely off-peak usage - I paid £26 all hours and thought it was a bit much! That was a Well Known Consortium as well! Much better idea to get some air into your lungs and see lovely scenery instead of shocking pink lycra! Lx

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  20. Thank you Patricia, it's my own fault about my test, there were a couple of questions I could have even looked up the answer too and I was just like "eh", I think I was rushing as well... I don't know what came over me, it was a bit of a blow to my self-esteem for a brief moment and then I had a word with myself... Hopefully I'll be retesting really soon.
    How have you been?
    Besides walking around all of the gorgeous areas that you live near.... It's just so hot here Patricia, I mean literally boiling, it's been raining a lot today, I mean storming out, so it's been a nice change! But the air is so thick and hot... we need the rain though, I can't wait for English weather! Seriously!
    Much love to you and I hope you're having a nice start to your week,
    Tammy xx
    PS, you're a no reply blogger, so may I please have your email address so I can email you? Mine is tammy.chrzan@yahoo.com

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  21. As soon as I saw the price, I knew what was coming, Patricia. :-) Walking is wonderful exercise and you have so many beautiful places to go for a good walk. I love our Welsh hill views, but walking up and down hill hurts my knees nowadays and I'd give anything for your choice of level walks.

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  22. I like to do some gentle walking, too, Patricia, although it's very hilly where we live, of course. However, there are plenty of places that are manageable and beautiful, too. I would rather be outdoors than in a pricey gym. The only drawback is my husband has been told it's possible he needs hip replacement surgery. He's just off for his first therapy treatment to see if that helps in the short term. You can imagine how difficult this has become for someone who loves his gardening, home decorating etc. and, of course, he cannot accompany me on any long walks as he has to sit and rest a lot.

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