Dan and I signed up for a family membership at the YMCA on Friday, and while we were there we went ahead and signed up for the outdoor pool membership as well. Originally we planned on getting a summer membership to the pool that’s <10 minutes away from us, since that's the one we've been going to since 2007, but it would be close to $300 for the four of us. Plus I'm kind of tired of that particular pool scene -- small town, same people, cliques galore, etc. And the pool itself isn't all that spectacular. The lifeguards are lazy and negligent (if I hadn't have seen Ryan fall in during a 2008 summer pool party during which we were the only people there, he would have drowned under the "watch" of not one but four lifeguards), there’s lot of grassy areas that get muddy, bees are prevalent every summer, and there are only a dozen or so chaise lounges available for seating. The YMCA’s outdoor pool, on the other hand, is nearly $200 less, there are very vigilant, active lifeguards, the pool itself has a slide as well as play areas and benches for little kids and parents, and there are at least three dozen chaise lounges. Plus the pool itself is nicer, as is the snack area and the changing areas and restrooms. And since Dan and I plan on coming regularly to work out, it just makes sense to pick the pool that is right next to the building.
Anyway, the pool party on Friday was fun, though I had to leave early because of the Unexplained Abdominal Pain That Is Taking Over My Life(tm). Jason graciously offered to take me home so Dan could stay with the kids (but I think Jason just didn’t want to be stuck here dealing with my mom and brothers ;)), so he did, and I tucked myself into bed with the phone, my cellphone, my laptop, the TV remotes, and a Morphine, and I was out for the rest of the night.
Yesterday Dan and I came to the YMCA, signed the kids into Child Watch (included for free with our family membership – sweet!), then hit the equipment. He did twenty minutes of cardio, twenty minutes of strength/weight training, and another twenty minutes of cardio. I did forty minutes of cardio, 10ish minutes of strength/weight training (I also got some tips from one of the staff members for machines to use for the hopeful toning of my bingo flaps), and then 15ish minutes of cardio. Then we picked up the kids and turned them loose at the pool for a few hours.
After we finally managed to fish out Alyssa and Ryan from the pool, we went to Target for food for Monday’s planned barbeque, and some YMCA gear: duffel bag, two pairs of workout capris and a better-fitting sports bra for me; a water bottle, iPod armband and workout shorts for Dan; and padlocks for both of us (lockers).
Today would have been more of the same, except that Dan had to work, and after I arrived at the YMCA I found out that Child Watch doesn’t open until 1:00pm on Sundays. So I set the kids up in the lounge area (right next to the area where all of the equipment is) with my netbook, a bag of Skittles, a bag of fruit snacks and the threat to BE GOOD or else no pool, and did thirty minutes of cardio. It worked out well, though I’m disappointed I didn’t get a full hour in, like I originally intended on doing. Oh well.
Right now I’m at the pool, the lovely, well-maintained and watched over, two-hundred-dollars-less pool. Thank god for picnic tables and dark red umbrellas — otherwise I’d be baking out here! The weather went from Barely Spring to Steaming Hot Summer seemingly overnight. Yikes — I better stock up on more sunscreen, because at this rate, we’ll be running out before the end of June!
If they told you that you can get rid of bingo flaps by toning your arms then they aren’t very knowledgeable. Those bingo flaps are loose skin and body fat and you CAN NOT spot lose fat. It comes off all over your body in an even layer. Just like doing 1000 sit ups a day will not get rid of belly fat, toning up your arms will not get rid of bingo flaps.
Building muscle WILL burn body fat (all over your body) so it will help EVERYWHERE, not just there. If you want to really burn fat, focus on building the biggest muscles in your body. Bigger muscles require more fat to feed them. Think legs and core.
I’m not saying not to tone your arms, they are the vanity muscles (the ones EVERYBODY SEES) and we all want them to look good but for them to tell you that toning the up just there will help get rid of the bingo flaps is false information.
Hey Jenn!
When I started fast walking on the treadmill in early 2009, my upper body was the first thing to slim down… back, arms, shoulders, boobs! I agree with what Anna said – that toning up the arms is good but fast paced walking/jogging and core work is the ultimate fat burner!