Cheetah Gym, Wicker Park, Chicago
This week I joined a gym. It’s kind of strange, not that I’ve never been to a gym, but the paying part. I used to work out in the small fitness center in our office building here in Chicago. In New York, I didn’t really have a workout routine. In San Diego I walked and biked on the beach every day. In Wisconsin, we had a huge gym with classes and everything available to all the employees where I worked. So it’s the first time I’ve become a gym member.
The worst part of Cheetah Gym’s Wicker Park location is that the treadmills and ellipticals all face out the windows, which is great because everyone’s not staring at each other, but the bad part is that you stare at Cold Stone the entire time you’re working out. I can’t decide if this is motivating or not.
Brad // Jan 12, 2006 at 11:19 am
Haha! Well let’s be honest, we’re not goats and carrots are terribly old-fashioned. Coldstone-on-a-stick is the new temptation.
Benjy // Jan 12, 2006 at 11:22 am
And you can think of all the raunchy things that happened in the exact spot your treadmill is on when that was the “Real World” house!
Crissy // Jan 12, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Ugh, that’s terrible! It’s not as thought you could possibly work off enough calories to “earn” a Coldstone treat, anyway. OK, well, the smallest Sinless Sans Fat sweet cream is 180 calories, which you could easily work off in 15 minutes on the elliptical, but still, isn’t that depressing?
Crissy // Jan 12, 2006 at 12:11 pm
I meant not as THOUGH . . . Whoops.
)
tien // Jan 12, 2006 at 12:30 pm
well, i think you should go to coldstone first and then work out. that way you can think you’re burning off the calories.
and RW chicago was right there? that’s kind of cool.
Nancy // Jan 12, 2006 at 3:00 pm
I’ve been a memeber of a gym for almost 2 years now, You’ll notice it will die down after a couple of the first months of the ‘New Year Resolution’ People then usually give up and leave. Don’t be one of them!
At first its awkward to work out, you think everyone is looking at you. At some point you should realize that everyone is at the gym for the same reason and you shouldnt feel weird.
The gym I go to is awesome. It has a private mens/ladies sauna, steam room, hot tub. It has a lap/leasure pool and 3 floors of weights. Plus its a lower monthly fee than Just Ladies Fitness (not sure if you have those down in the states)
Good Luck!
Nan // Jan 12, 2006 at 3:09 pm
what a great location for coldstone! “reward yourself – you worked out great today!” ha ha
Irene // Jan 12, 2006 at 5:35 pm
I used to belong to that gym (before Cold Stone). Not sure that the Cold Stone would provide any motivation for me. I’d probably skip the gym and make a beeline for the icecream!
billp // Jan 12, 2006 at 9:01 pm
Exercise is great, I dropped 45 pounds this last summer. By walking and running 2 miles a day and of course, by watching what you eat. What I’d recommend somebody trying to lose weight is. Drink all the water you want, don’t drink any soda pop, even that diet stuff ain’t worth a flip. Zero Calorie’s is all marketing hype. Get yourself one of those George Foreman like grillers and eat one chicken breast for breakfast and supper. Don’t even think about apply anything to it either, just chicken. Which ain’t bad.
Forget about salads and dressings, remember your here to lose weight not look in the mirror and wonder if your BURNING any of it off.
It’s so easy to put it on. But, once you get into your exercise routine on a day to day basis you’ll be really be glad you got serious about weight loss. My secret was I stopped eating junk food and all the bad stuff (say goodbye to cookies, candy and catsup – anything with sugar in it!!).
Do you have what it takes ???
If you really want something, well your going to take the necessary steps to it accomplished.
Also, avoid measuring yourself… and avoid initally, some carbs are needed but I think cutting out sweets is the number one thing.
Just think… water, water, water.
dad // Jan 12, 2006 at 9:40 pm
Good for you for joining a fitness center
Good for the soul and body
I ran the ice age trail the other day
and biked with your ma today for 10 miles
It was up in the 50’s today
Ran the other day with the editor of Silent Sports.
Gatorade, is a good sourse of liquid
Do you think you will be ready for the Chicago Marathon this fall?
Do you want to do it
Only 26.2 miles
One foot in front of the other
Only kidding
Have fun
Dad
ZIPPY // Jan 13, 2006 at 3:09 am
GOOD FOR YOU!! BUT, WHY THE HELL DID YOU LEAVE SAN DIEGO?????? ARE YOU CRAZY??????????
rachelle // Jan 13, 2006 at 9:10 am
ha right. so far, i’ve only been running in 5 minute spurts. like walk for 5 minutes, run 5 minutes, walk 5 minutes.. for like 45 minutes.
tankboy // Jan 13, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Oh geez Rach, we now belong to the same gym! I personally love the place and have been working out there for over two years.
I do miss the days when it was a kick ass coffee shop though…
rachelle // Jan 13, 2006 at 2:40 pm
oh no! now i’m going to be nervous that you’re standing behind me making fun of my dork running style! or the fact that i have to read that instructional sticker before using the weight machines!
Joe^2 // Jan 13, 2006 at 9:09 pm
Tis better to read the weight machine instructional sticker than to be seen performing standing bent over rows on hammer strength bench press machine and falling forward to smack your head into the seat padding.
Yes, I’ve seen a woman do that, and yes, I laughed, nearly out loud.
Steve // Oct 22, 2009 at 6:13 pm
When I used to go there, there was always a guy in one of the units above the Coldstone who was out on his porch with a beer. Also tempting. I would gain 50 pounds if I lived above a Coldstone…
RachelleB // Oct 22, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I’m gonna watch for that guy!