I’ve come to accept that being a working parent complicates planning of all the things, just as Brandee realized this when she just wanted her Everly a chance to dance. I’ve had my battles of getting Abby into YMCA classes for swim lessons and gym classes as well, as I’ve pleaded on the phone to organizers about how I’m a working mom and the lottery class Abby got into would NOT work for our schedules, or talking my way into classes because they are the only ones that worked. (HINT if you are a YMCA lottery person: I ONLY put down the ONE class I want Abby to have now. It works every damn time.) But now, I’m trying to figure out my own logistics as I’m on this plight to a healthier lifestyle.
Right now, with the summer off and nice weather abound, I’m able to get outside for a run as I’m going through the c25k thing.(I’ve got my first in real life with other runners 5k this Saturday. EEEEK!!!)This has been glorious. I’m pushing myself to limits I never knew were possible and as I’m gearing up to start week 7 with a 20 minute run, 3 minute walk, and 5 minute run, my brain is no longer scared. But when school starts up again, and the PNW weather takes hold, going out for a run will not always be an option. As I rev up on the teaching front, my husband’s job gets busy so during the first and last part of the school year, running after work might not always work because of how late the hubs gets home from his job.
So right now, I’m going through all of the possibilities to get runs in, because I know if I put it on hold for the better part of the school year, I will find myself back at square one when next summer comes around, letting all of my hard work go to waste. The only logical thing to do is to get a gym membership. I’ve joined the gym three times in the past eight years. THREE! And I’ve cancelled gym memberships THREE times. And this was before I even had Abby. But something is different now. I get excited seeing Abby practice her exercising and asking to go for a run as she watches me head out the door. This whole lifestyle change is not just for me, but for her, so she can grow up without loathing exercise and being active.
First I was thinking of joining LA Fitness, which is close by, and just happens to be in the same shopping center as my Target.Win Win!But then yesterday, as I took Abby to the YMCA for swim lessons, I looked up and saw their indoor track. I mean I’ve always known it was there, but a light bulb went off like why not just join the YMCA for me, and not just her. I’d much rather run on a track instead of on a stationary contraption. And I’d have people in front of my I could even try to pace myself with.
So here’s my dilemma. Abby belongs to the YMCA in the city we live in. I work in a different city, where they have a YMCA. Do I join the YMCA near my work to quickly get in and out without battling traffic, or do I join the YMCA in our town where I’d drive the crazy traffic before getting a run in before picking up Abby? Also, the thing about being a teacher is that if I joined the one in the city I work, I’d get the $100 joining fee waived because of a corporate partnership with my school district. I’d then be paying full membership for myself at one YMCA and another full kid’s membership for Abby at another. But if I joined the one in my town I’d have to pay the $100 joining fee, however, Abby’s $32 a month membership fee would go down to $17 since I’m also a member, making our combined monthly membership fees only $71. Have I confused you yet?
So much to think about and figure out. My mind is swaying more towards joining in the town I work in, but part of me wonders if joining the YMCA in the city I work would be easier. So I’m asking you, what would you do? What makes the most sense? Andplusalso, remember I commute 40-60minutes post work, depending on traffic and when I get to leave.
And I’ll just save going through the guilt feelings of sneaking out of work ASAP to get a run in, making sure to pick Abby up no later than 4:00pm from school, wherever it is that her school will be next year. We’re still trying to figure that out. In July. Sigh.
EDIT: Since I published this post this morning, based on comments, I called the YMCA and found out that if I pay a little bit more a month, I can join at the YMCA where I work, have the fees waived, and get to use all the YMCA’s! You see I live in one county and work in another so I’d have to sign up for a regional membership. Thanks to all of you for letting me know about this. I feel like I’m winning at life right now!
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Do the Y’s in your area not offer a regional membership? I live on the east coast, but my Y membership allows me to use all of the Y facilities within about a 60 mile radius — that includes downtown location, rural locations in abutting counties, and the suburban locations in between. It’s a couple more dollars a month than just joining one particular Y, but the convenience is very worth it.
I just called about it because I work and live in different counties. The membership would just be like 5 or 6 more dollars a month, and the registration fee is $125 BUT if I sign up in the county I work in, the fees are waved and I can use both!!! Thanks so much for this tip. Problem solved.
Twitter: wa_tracy
our Y has regional memberships; if we were to join we could go to any one… and they have ‘childwatch’ where you can leave your kid whilst you exercise. it’s very pricey which is why we haven’t joined… maybe you could get on the Board and make sweeping changes to your Y!
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I just called about the regional memberships b/c so many of you on here told me about it. It’s just a bit more a month, but I can sign up at the one near my work (a different county than where I live), get the joining fees waved and use all the YMCA’s in three local areas!
Twitter: wa_tracy
This is SO what my husband and I are going through right now. With my husband’s new job, we’re working south of our home, but our gyms and our kid are a half hour north. So one of us has to drop off in the other direction, then after work one of us has to pick the kid up in the other direction, but if we want to go to the gym, it’s like… head explosion.
I think the BEST bet for you would be to take that teacher fee waiver thing and go straight from work to the gym. I know me and I know if I go from work to gym THEN to pick up, I’m happy with myself. If I go through traffic on my way to my kid, then I might be tempted to just pick him up and go home, you know? Closer to school, cheaper, more accountability???
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Based on some comments, I checked into a regional membership and it’s only a bit more money…like less than $10 if I remember, I can join in the one near my work, have the fees waived and get to use both of them! Problem solved.
Twitter: wa_tracy
Of your two options I would pick the YMCA closer to your work for the same reasons Shannon mentioned. However … have you considered buying a treadmill for your home? I LOVE my treadmill. If you just want to run, it will be much cheaper in the long run. You have said in the past that Abby likes to watch a tv show when she gets home: sounds like the perfect time for a run! There are really no excuses not to work out when you can do it from the comfort of your own home …
I’m not a fan of the treadmill. Just my personal thoughts. But I did check into a regional membership and I can get the joining fees waived, by signing up at the one near my work, pay a little bit more a month and get to use all the YMCA’s! I really love the YMCA b/c they also have group classes, a running group, and so much for Abby. And when she’s older and not in parent/child classes, I can get a workout in while she’s doing her thing.
Twitter: wa_tracy
If it were me, I would join the Y that is closer to work for one reason…. make a stop at the gym part of your work day. That’s what I do. I leave work and head to the gym. I have made this time part of my “required work day.” If I pick my daughter up prior to going to the gym it is NOT going to happen. The family has gotten used to this new schedule. They like the new happier mommy. I come home destressed and ready to tackle all of the housework and cooking that has to be done.
Nail on the head about happier mommy. I’ve been in such a better mood since I began working out…even before the school year ended so I know it’s not just a summer break thing. But I did check it out and found out I can join the one near work, have the fees waived, but pay a bit more a month to get a regional membership and use both the YMCA’s!
Twitter: wa_tracy
I think doing the Y closest to your work is a great call. Then it’s easier to chunk that workout time in with your work time. I could never do 40 min of traffic then force a workout…
And AWESOME job on the c25k training!!
Twitter: jamiemcq15
I’ve thought long and hard about getting a gym membership, but I have no idea when I’d find the time to go. So I exercise at home, usually around 9 p.m. It works for me, but I do wish I had more access to equipment. I like lifting with machines. Free weights stink.
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