Eating for Pleasure diet

[hotwine]

Glad to hear about the new exercise program, Zinner. Can't emphasize enough the importance of a good program.

Features I look for in a health club:
- Good work-out temperature (low 60's)
- Clean equipment
- Plenty of fresh towels, plus spray bottles of disinfectant with paper towels
- Good work-out music. Should have a strong beat but only moderate volume; acid rock and rap crap not welcome.
- Tunable individual TVs with cable or satellite service near each machine (and actually on each treadmill)
- Enough personal trainers on hand to help with equiment and answer questions.
- Rugrats banished to an on-site nursury.
- Good selection of equipment for both cardio and strength training.
- Clean locker rooms with showers.
- Plenty of plants scattered throughout. They seem to help cleanse the air somehow.
- Upscale decor is nice but convenience is even nicer.
- Prompt response from staff to a question or complaint. My complaints have been about dirty equipment, lack of towels or paper towels or disinfectant, sorry music selection and high temperature. (I sometimes carry a little battery-powered digital thermometer to check temp, and start raising hell when it reaches 72.)

For a doc's guidance on a good work-out environment, see http://www.ultimate-exercise.com/pb5.html

The main factor in a work-out program is your own discipline. A regular routine, plus a low fat/low carb/high protein diet, can really work wonders. Good luck.