Ok, you got this lurker to de-lurk. I find your take on treats fascinating, and I must say that even if you feel like you lose control when you indulge, you seem to have an incredible amount of insight into your own psyche and eating habits and I think (though I can be wrong) that this insight must mean that your loss of control is very very brief? And for me being in control is not about never losing your footing but about how quickly you regain your balance.

I go to the gym three times a week, because I only do my strength training there, and my cardio elsewhere (outside). I usually bike to the gym, so that’s my warmup, then I do 30-40 minutes of strength training and about 10 minutes of stretching. I’m always out of the gym within an hour. As for what I wear, my mom (who I have a gym date with once a week) jokes that I should be sponsored by Nike because I almost exclusively wear Nike workout clothes. Not because I have some kind of idea that I MUST wear Nike, but because their clothing just seems to fit me so well. As for awkward eye contact, I usually nod and say hello to other regulars that seem to always work out at the same time as me.

Sorry for this monster of a comment, and thanks for such an inspiring blog. You always seem to express yourself in a very eloquent way.

human head sized cookie! my baking daughter is home from the beach tomorrow. We’re totally gonna do this! (i miss her)

I love reading your blog out of most foodies because you are honest or at least more real to me. I would have eaten that cookie too. And it would haunt me. And I give myself permission to indulge after I have lost control. It is such a inner-battle, that I honestly think I will never win. I have been at my goal weight for over 18 months, yet daily, I get mad at myself for eating something I shouldn’t, even though I just ran 10 miles.

Same here, you got this Lurker to De-lurk! So here is a bit about my workout habits.

I’m at my crossfit gym about 5 times a week, sometimes 6 to do the workout of the day and also to just watch people workout! watching crossfit is like watching a sport to me. Then I go to the regular gym with my hubby maybe twice a week. And I run maybe 4 times a week. When I go to the regular gym I also head directly to the treadmill, that and the rower are really all I do at that gym. All my strength and HIIT is done at crossfit. As for eye contact, at the treadmill gym I’m also in the back treadmill and stick to myself. Whereas at the crossfit gym we all know each other so I walk in and say hello and have quick conversations with everyone. Each gym contrasts each other so much, it’s really interesting.

Well, you got me to comment once after months of lurking! Maybe I’ll do so more often!

Hi there. Since you’re calling out all the lurkers, I suppose it’s about time I spoke up.

I actually don’t belong to a gym. Gyms have never really been my thing. In truth, I find them a little scary, but maybe that will change in the future. I walk/jog at a local park about 4 times a week, occasionally I will hike during the weekends, and just last night I started a Zumba class (which was awesome) and I’ll probably go to that about twice a week from now on.

When I work out/exercise I usually wear stretchy athletic capris or shorts and old T-shirts from charity walks, previous jobs, etc. At this point in time, I don’t spend money on fitness fashion, but I would consider it if something was on sale.

With that said, eye contact typically isn’t a problem for me, but just in case, I do wear big, dark sunglasses to the park with my iPod in hand to avoid such encounters.

Btw, can’t wait to try out that mac n’ cheese concoction your boyfriend came up with! It looks awesome!

-Allyson

Right now my google calendar says that I have scheduled gym time when school starts for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. I have a cardio class at school on Fridays that lasts almost 2 hours. Those are MUST DO workouts and other workouts will be determined by my work and school load. I’ll probably also take time out from studying here and there to jump rope in my apartment on my “off” days. I just started doing that the other day and my calves are KILLING ME!

As far as gym clothes go, it depends on what I am doing. I love the resistance machines at the gym, so on days that I have to do my legs I do not wear shorts and opt for sweats instead. As far as shirts go I just buy a pack of v-neck boys shirts at Target and a pack of A-shirts. Add a sports bra and I’m set. By the way, my chest needs very little to no support, but do they make sports bras for your butt? That I need.

I don’t wear name brands very often, but when I am searching for discounted name brand wear I go for Nike (I am also a thrift store shopper, Annabel, and I have yet to find another friend who enjoys it as much as I do!).

As far as gym equipment goes, my first love is the stationary bike. I also frequent the elliptical.

I avoid eye contact like the plague. I am shy, especially at the gym. There is no where else on earth that I feel more intimidated. But though I avoid eye contact, I am definitely a people watcher. I just try to be really, really sneaky about it.

You go to 24-Hour Fitness, right?

I’m not gonna lie, I totally would have eaten the cookie too.

I don’t go to the gym very often because I prefer running outside if it’s not ninety thousand degrees and 100% humidity, but when I do I always hit the treadmill first and usually spend about an hour there. I’m too cheap to pay more than $20 for any kind of workout attire that I am going to sweat in, so I wear oversized shirts (sometimes with the sleeves cut off if I’m feeling especially classy) and capris or basketball shorts (they don’t rub between my thighs as badly as shorter shorts do). I too have done the “eye dance” and it is quite awkward. Still, one can only stare at the wall in front of oneself for so long!

I’m a firm believer in all three mentalities if you will. I allow myself to indulge basically in about one (sometimes two, but never usually more) bigger treats a week. Like an ice cream cone on Friday night or maybe a small order of french fries, whatever I’m craving. I just keep the portion small usually. But when I really indulge, I usually don’t go small, which I probably should, but sometimes, I feel like I’m restricting myself too much, and then I just go a little crazy. It’s a work in process. For example, Brownie Earthquake from DQ last weekend. YUM. But, not again for awhile!

Anyways, on to the gym.

I usually go for five days a week, 45-60 minutes each. Sometimes though, if I’m feeling particuarily unispired, I’ll tinker around for 20 minutes on the weights and the elliptical and then sneak out (pray the trainer doesn’t see me!) and go home. I don’t worry about days like that. I’ll know I’ll be back tommorrow.

To the gym, I wear yoga pants (probably a little tight for my thighs, but I don’t care!) and a t-shirt. Nothing fancy. I used to wear a tank top, but then I got a new sports bra that gave me back-boobs, and so I switched to a t-shirt.

The first machine I usually head for is the stepmill or treadmill. I like the most bang for my time, and I feel like those work the best for me.

I rarely make eye contact with fellow gymers, but when I do, I just smile and look away.

Long enough? Sheesh, I amaze myself!

I found the way to not lose control indulging is to plan enough indulgences to keep me happy. I cannot roll with the 100% healthy thing. Life is too short not to be able to have a burger and fries, a mexican combo plate, or some delicious supreme deep dish pizza. I know I can make them healthier (which I often do with gardenburgers, grilled fish tacos, and tortilla pizzas with low fat cheese), but sometimes you gotta have the real thing.

I would say on average I allow myself 1-2 splurge meals and I dose out little treats throughout the week (a hershey kiss or 2 a day, an otter pop, a small square of graham cracker and peanut butter and chocolate). I also give myself one day a week where I plan my consumption for the day around some booze. I probably eat better than I did when I was actually losing weight now, so multiply that by 2 before about 2 months ago.

Then again, you’re the one at your goal weight, and I’m struggling to lose the last 15. I am loathe to give advice that’s not working for me.

Gym questions:

How often do you go? About twice a week. I workout about 6 days per week but the rest of it I do either at home or at the dance studio. When the weather was nice I was solely going for weight training once a week but now, alas, I cannot run outside unless I get up before sunrise and that AINT happening…

What do you guys wear to the gym? I splurged and bought some workout clothes a few months ago. I was sick of wearing the too-big shirts and workout pants that made me look like I was wearing mommy’s clothes, so I got myself about a week’s worth of cheapo-ish stuff from Academy. Let me recommend a running skirt but prepare to be whistled at if you run outside. For not-workout clothes – I <3 thrift stores and almost exclusively shop there.

What’s the first machine/piece of equipment you head to? Depends. If it's weights, I usually stake out the popular machines first (the assisted pullup/dip station, the captain's chair, the back extensions, etc). If I'm cardio'ing, either the arc trainer or treadmill.

Do you ever make awkward eye contact with fellow gymers? Occasionally, but if so I just smile. People are usually pretty friendly. I did have some woman and her son actually stop to watch me do back extensions on the little machine with an extra weight… it was awkward but totally flattering.

Wow, those cookies look gooood…
I try not to use food as a treat or reward – since that is partly how I got fat in the first place! I do think that “treat” foods have a place and time – special occasions such as a wedding or my birthday. And Christmas – I will never deny myself anything on Christmas! But otherwise, I don’t do “treats” very often…

I go to the gym on average 3 times a week. I have two small kids that I’m home with all day, so I wait until my hubby comes home to go. I am going to try taking them when child care is available in the morning, but I have a feeling my littlest one is not going to let me work out! But if that works, then I’m going to try to go more often.

When I’m there, I do mostly cardio. I was doing weights for a while, but I got bored with them. I do want to start up again, though. I take a kickboxing class one day, then I alternate pretty evenly between the elliptical and the treadmill. I do an hour of cardio each day.

I try not to make eye contact with anyone, lol! I feel very exposed at the gym, for some reason, so I keep my head low, do my thing, and hightail it outta there.

I wear a big t-shirt and some sort of workout pants – either capris or yoga pants. I don’t do shorts (yet) – still too jiggly!

Whew – hope I answered all the questions!

Unless I’m in a gym class, I do not want to talk to or make eye contact with anyone, let alone talk to people. I like to concentrate on what I’m doing. I’m in the process of building a new routine, so I can really answer the other questions. I wear sweat pants and an over-sized t-shirt. Actually the sweat pants are also over-sized these days… I’ll soon need new ones.

Thanks for the links… There was a great example of how the media gets it wrong – saying that what you eat “may” contribute to breast cancer. The link between cancer and diet has been proven and documented over and over again. There is no “may”!

i checked out your about me/weight loss photos holy balls you are amazing!!! real impressed. i like the before and forever rather than after. clever girl. i like to indulge~once a week usually. or on special occasions. i try not to think about it much. if something delicious comes up and i havent had it in awhile i will have it then get right back to clean eating. ha hilarious FAIL! do you read failblog.org? i work out 6 days a week, mainly at the gym~sometimes outside though. i just wear shorts and a tshirt, usually mismatched, i dont carrre. depending on what workout i have that day determines if i head to the cardio area or the free weights, i alternate. oh and yes, creepy awkward eye contact is the worst! haha!

Thanks for linking my blog!

My gym routine varies a lot from week to week! I try to go 4-5 days/week – anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours, see I said it varies! I have a gym in my building, so there are rarely other people there. I do yoga 1 time/week (not at my gym), I run on the treadmill, use the rowing machine, and sometimes elliptical. I also do free weights about 2-3 times/week. In addition to the gym I walk a ton! In NYC I walk at least 2 miles/day, on the weekends closer to 10 miles/day!

I love the idea of “my treat is saying no”, and when it’s just me I can usually do it- but a lot of the time I indulge in treats because of peer pressure, to be honest!

The donut cookie looks very tasty

If you like giveaways, I’ve got THREE right now! check them out!

And I totally am a grundgy look like crap when I am at the gym, old shorts, old T-shirts…but my younger brother says that if I dressed better and smiled, I’d get more offers of dates. But I am in such a groove, self-focused, that that seems un-natural to me. I don’t like bars for the same reason…

Hmmm…I love the intuitive eating…now, how do we allow ourselves to eat what we are TRULY hungry for? Your cookie consumption was JUST THAT!

Man, being a cookie fan, that is a big cookie! I need that fro my weekend cookie treat. And yes, that is how I treat myself! I don’t do the whole day or all weekend thing… I pick a treat or two I want & that is what I do on the weekend. During the week, I have my healthy treats.

You DO NOT want to know what I wear to the gym.. I don’t buy myself clothes so… old stuff.. YIKES! I have replaced the see thru workout shorts! I work out in the gym 4 days & my 5th day at home. I spend a lot of time in the gym & don’t want to scare you!

I start with some abs, then cardio then weights then stretching & a few more abs. One day, I doo all weights & abs. I switch my workout up so what I head to first changes in terms of weights.

I work out when few people are there so not too many people to make eye contact with & since they know I am pretty “serious” about my workout, most of those that know me wait to talk to me until I am finished..

Oh dear, cookies are irresistable, aren’t they?

I used to go to the gym 5 times a week but it started to get REALLY boring. Now I mix it up with running & home exercises but I still whine whenever I go.

Welcome out of your hiding places, lurkers!
@ Yum Yucky — You are hilarious and, for that, I grant you the donut cookie recipe we used: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Baked-Doughnuts/Detail.aspx
@ Special K — LMAO. The gym can be a total meat market! Sometimes you’re just better off keeping your eyes down then realizing how brutally obvious some dudes are in checking out chicks..even if they’re dressed in over-sized tees with the “don’t f’ with me” look plastered on their faces (me, included!)!
@ Janetha — aww shucks, I got a “holy balls” remark, that is awesome!
@ Cecilia — thank you!

Oh my gawsh, Annabel. You’re such troublemaker. I see that recipe and you’re encouraging me.

I used to feel so guilty about straying from my normal healthy eating, until a few months ago. I got so sick of all the restriction that I just said to hell with it and now I let myself eat whatever I want one day a week. And what a day it is! I usually make sure it’s on a day when I’m going out with friends and would be splurging anyway, so it’s not such a big deal. I now let myself have delicious croissants and caramel rolls and cookies and grilled cheese! The best part is that I haven’r gained weight as I eat really healthy for the rest of the week to make up for my day of heavy eating.

Oddly enough, since I’ve been doing this I haven’t cheated on the other days, something I used to do all the time. This might be why my weight is staying the same when it never did in the past.

Not saying it will work for everyone, but I don’t think it’s a big deal if you have a giant cookie once in a while. Just enjoy it, you might as well, since you’re eating it anyway.

I go to the gym itself 3 days a week to use the weights. That is the reason I go there now (although I did go for the pool when I was training for my triathlon). I warm up and then hit the free weights.

I try to say hi and make eye contact with others at the gym, but not while they are actually working out because I know I don’t like to be gawked at while I am lifting.

3 other days a week I bike or run at home. Almost always bike with my hubby and I try to make it a point to say hello (first) to at least 5 people on the trail if we see them. My hubby calls it ‘karma points’ when I do that

To the gym I wear my bike shorts because they are very comfortable. Tight, yes – but I don’t care what people think all that much. If they don’t like the lumps – they are free to look elsewhere! The top is usually some type of technical shirt that wicks the sweat away.

All of my gym clothes come from Walmart or from my college days. Brand name gym clothes are not in my vocabulary. No way jose.

I’m very interested in your songs. eatmovewriteATyahooDOTcom. Do tell.

I’ve been uber busy getting my consulting business off the ground, and I’ve been spending alot of time with my husband. The whole thing w/Jen and her sweet mother (may she rest in peace) has really forced me to look at the time I’m spending away from the people I love, ya know?…

I try to get to the gym at least 3 times a week, sometimes 4 if I’m lucky. That damn life thing gets in the way sometimes.

As for clothing — cheap!!! Target and Kohl’s (clearance racks) have great workout clothes at really decent prices. My philosophy is that I’m going to get way sweaty and stinky and why spend lots of money when that is what is going to happen?!

I will confess — I bought a sports bra for $30odd dollars. Why? Well, I got fitted when I was training for the 5k. And let me tell ya, getting fitted for a sports bra best thing I ever did. The girls DO NOT MOVE at this point. Pretty awesome! And worth the investment!

Ok, I’m a lurker and I’m coming out of lurkdom because you asked….

I don’t actually belong to a gym proper. I belong to a yoga and Pilates studio and I go there for Pilates classes and more aerobic Pilates-based core fusion classes about 3 or 4 days a week. When I’m there I usually wear some kind of leggings and a fitted shirt, all probably purchased at Target or Old Navy.

Once a week (sometimes twice) I attend an outdoor boot camp, and there I wear some kind of pants and fitted shirt, again from Target or Old Navy. I prefer fitted clothes to big over-sized things because material flopping around gets in my way most of the time.

In my apartment building we have a gym and I use it to do my CrossFit workouts and/or run on bad weather days. For that I usually wear a pair of tiny shorts and a shirt (shorts from various college bookstores).

When I do go to the gym, what I head for first depends on what the CrossFit WOD says. Unless I’m just there to run, in which case I go to the treadmill.

As far as eye contact, when at the gym, I avoid it. I much prefer when there is nobody there and try to go on off-peak hours so I can be alone. Plus, those CrossFit workouts are brutal and I feel self conscious grunting and wheezing in front of others.

At Pilates, Core, and boot camp however, I am chatty. I’ve been going to those classes for a long time and I know most everyone who attends so I’m always talkative and welcoming new people. Although during the classes I don’t look at anyone at all. I try to keep my mind on what I’m doing and trying not to look like a boob.

I posted a comment here last night but it looks like it has been deleted.

I’m sorry you felt guilty about eating those cookies. I know that feeling very well, so that’s why I started the whole 1 treat/day thing. I know it’s more calories than I normally would have allowed myself but honestly I think it evens out at the end, because I haven’t binged since I started this (1.5 weeks now) and it’s much more mentally satisfying. I guess I’m in the “indulge once in a while” category

I work out 6-7 times a week now that I’m training for a 1/2 marathon but before that I worked out probably 5-6 times. I think 5 times is ideal really but somehow I’m always training for something or trying to fit into a wedding dress or something After the half, I’m looking forward to just doing whatever workout I feel like, almost every day, but not really sticking to any schedule. I think it will be somewhat liberating – not that I currently feel a slave to my workouts. Not yet at least. It may happen once my long runs get really long. Ok – workout clothes. I actually try to look cute because I feel like my workouts are better when I look good, especially workouts where I see myself in the mirror (weight lifting, spinning, etc.) I save the ugliest stuff for the treadmill because I don’t see myself when I run on it. Weirdly enough, my old gym used to have a mirror in front of one of the treadmills and I used to like it. It motivated me to see my body move so strongly. Am I weird? My favorite workout gear brand is lululemon. I think their stuff is cute but the most important thing is that it’s VERY comfortable! Perfect combo in my opinion. Ok, I think I wrote a novel now – signing off