I Quit

30 Sep, 2011 By: Angelique Flores

So I finally quit my gym. I had been a loyal, supportive member of the Long Beach YMCA for about eight years. There I shed more than 10 pounds (and kept it off) without even really trying. And I was happy with that until about last year.

I was trying to slim down for my best friend’s wedding, for which I was the maid of honor wearing an unforgiving floor-length silk charmeuse dress. I realized this could be my only trip down any aisle, at least before age 40, so I had to look good.

On a budget, I turned to the stacks of workout DVDs staring at me next to my TV. First it was Jay Johnson’s Boot Camp Fitness Series (eOne) that got me to shed those initial near 10 pounds. But once I got through that nine-disc set, I needed to maintain my new size. I looked to Bob Harper (Pure Burn Super Strength, Anchor Bay). Then Jari Love (Get Extremely Ripped!), then Jackie Warner (One-on-One Training, Anchor Bay), and, of course, the queen herself, Jillian Michaels (30 Day Shred and Yoga Meltdown, Lionsgate).

Almost a year later, I’ve managed to keep most of the weight off and found that I had been working out more at home than at the gym I was still paying for monthly. So I quit. And every month, I get a new amazing trainer that gets me recharged — for about half the cost of my gym membership.

I Quit

About the Author: Angelique Flores