A comment on my "Do I run funny?" entry made me re-evaluate my gym choice. They joined a gym that has various fitness classes because a machine workout is not for them. I feel the same way, yet I joined a gym that does not have classes. I'm known for my rash decisions. I knew I wanted to join a gym but did not consider many factors. So for anyone that is contemplating a membership, a few things to consider.

1. Money. That was my biggest factor. The gym I joined has a cheap monthly fee. but you can't always go by that because there are other options and factors to consider...

2. Company discounts/reimbursement. My job offers both of these for employees who have been with the company for six months. I was impatient. I joined my gym soon as I got my first paycheck.

3. Location. My gym is downstairs from me. I must go, or that would be pretty lazy of me.

4. Variety. Perhaps the Sports Club is so expensive because it's worth it - that is, if you utilize their resources. The classes, pool, etc.

5. Who needs a membership, just take classes. Invest your money in kickboxing, dancing, yoga...whatever suites your interest. Because working out should be fun. And you're not locked into a membership.

I wish I put more thought into my decision. However, I'm not tied to a contract but I think I'll stick around because with my funny hours, a 30-45 minute workout downstairs from me is all I can get in sometimes. Also, I'm thinking about moving within the next few months. But the next time around, I think I'll stick to running outside and taking classes that interest me, definitely.

If I'm consistent with one thing in my diet, it's taking my vitamins. I take one every morning with my breakfast. I used to take a multivitamin that you can get at any drug store. But since I started going back to the gym, I've switched over to GNC Women's Ultra Mega ACTIVE. It can be used as a dietary supplement when you take two a day. I'm not sure how it is as a dietary supplement because I use it for all the vitamins it offers.

A regular multivitamin was key for me when I was not eating properly. Since I've been working out, I felt I needed something more in my diet. And as a woman, the calcium was important since I do not consume dairy other than the soy milk in my latte.

The GNC website has all the supplement facts listed for their vitamins and it looks like they are having a sale on them, too!

The beginning of the year is bringing everyone back to the gym. The late mornings, have just enough people to make me not feel self-conscious. I didn't realize I felt this way until my usual late morning visit was more packed than usual. I normally always do the elliptical but sometimes start with a 15 minute walk on the treadmill to warm up.

I walk on the treadmill because I think I run funny on it. I don't feel this way when I run outdoors though. But as the I push the speed up to three, four, then five...I run for a few minutes then head on the elliptical. Today I tried to run for longer but soon got the image of Phoebe on an episode Friends running through Central Park like a toddler. What Rachel described as, "...like a cross between Kermit the Frog and the Six Million Dollar Man."

Sometimes I think I come up with things as excuses not to exercise. Exercise should be enjoyable. But all the enjoyable things cost money. I love to take classes for kickboxing, pilates, yoga, etc. But who has that kind of money when you live in New York City and owe your first born child to Sallie Mae? Any suggestions?

I had trouble falling asleep last night. Maybe it was the thought of going back to work after having a week off. The goal was to start the work week off fresh with a trip to the gym. However, time quickly passed as I got ready and of course, found other things that needed to be done before leaving - procrastination.

My shift begins in the late afternoon, which requires me to leave the apartment at 2 p.m. and gets me home around midnight. The gym is literally eight steps away from my building entrance. With these two things in mind, you'd think I would be working out everyday. And usually I do every other day because the guilt eats at me. The thought of paying for something and not using it, irritates me. I would also be quite embarrassed to admit I don't use the gym that is right downstairs. But today, no guilt. So I found other ways to make up for it.

Mondays are usually hectic at work. I end up eating later or not eating at all. So to make sure I did not snack at the vending machine, I brought slightly salted rice cakes the size of dollar coins to keep at my desk. My dinner was also simple. Grilled chicken with pepper seasoning, green beans and white rice. Why not brown rice? I grew up eating white rice, and there are some habits I just can't kick!

But now it's a quarter past midnight and the guilt is settling in. So before bed, I'm going to pop in my balance ball work out routine then call it a night. That will have to suffice until I force myself to go to the gym in the morning.

The past two days have been filled with birthday fun! Dinners. drinks and my favorite - red velvet cake :) If eating could be listed as a hobby, it would be number one on my list. In the past I would go through stages where I'd deprive myself of foods I craved and then just ended up over-indulging. This time around, I'm allowing myself treats every so often. I tell myself it's okay because I'll burn it off at the gym.

My first gym visit of the year happened yesterday. Just for a half hour on the elliptical. Fifteen minutes into it, I was ready to stop! Sweat pouring down my face, you'd think I had been on the machine for an hour! I pushed myself to another 15 minutes. I'm gradually getting myself into a routine because if I push myself too far and fast, I lose interest.

Then I came back to work on my stomach using a balance ball. My favorite way to sit-ups is putting the balance ball under my legs, so my knees are bent and slowly lifting my shoulders off the ground. It really works my abs.

This morning, the trip to the gym was not a success but I did do sit ups - two sets of 25 (because I wish I had the six-pack I had before I discovered beer at college), squats and two five pound weights. I'm learning not to stress out about how much I do, but the quality and time I spend doing these exercises. Sometimes I think I get caught up in the complexity of exercises and forget that there are simple routines that I could use along with my trips to the gym.

Today I'm 23 and tonight, I'm going all out! Especially having a piece of that cake. It's okay, it's my birthday :)

I'm back from San Diego with a head cold and empty stomach. Vacation is over and reality is beginning to set in. As I stepped out of the cab, the first building to greet me was the gym...which by the way is downstairs from my apartment. So tomorrow, no excuses. I'll be off to the gym, soon as I sleep off this cold.

And despite my sickness, I crave the red velvet cupcakes sitting on my kitchen counter that my brother-in-law made for me. I'll drink a glass of water, pop a Sudafed and call it at night instead.

I began 2007 on vacation, which would usually entail sleeping and eating whatever I want, whenever I want. This time around, I made a conscious effort to cut back on the junk I would usually eat.

I've been having water instead of soda, (but I've had a hard time giving up the daily Starbucks). And I've only had vegetarian dishes instead of having meat. I knew I wouldn't be hitting the gym while I was on vacation, so I didn't want heavy food sitting in my stomach. Speaking of a workout, most of it has been walking around and getting to know my surroundings. It's not cardio but comparing walking a few miles a day to just walking to the train, sitting down for nine hours and heading back on the subway - it's been a wake up call to my calves!

Moderation has been key to my vacation. I've felt a difference in my energy level by cutting back on my food intake and even by simply replacing one thing to a healthier option. I'm not good being thrown into certain things so starting off the year with something simple will get me into the spirit of a healthier lifestyle.

Day one of 2007 is done. One day closer to being in better shape.

One day until the New Year and I will be off to fabulous start: a vacation and my birthday, a.k.a. eating out and cake. Not what one would think is conducive to a diet plan.

But let's start with an introduction. I'm a soon-to-be 23-year-old, a few months out of college and six months into my career. I spent the past four years running around on a full-time class schedule while working part-time and squeezing in internships. The running around was my work-out. Suddenly I graduated and realized, maybe the running around wasn't enough. My first trip to the gym upon moving home was a wake-up call - I'm out of shape.

So begins a new year with new opportunities for me. I want be in shape so I can catch whatever life throws at me. Up first: Five days, four nights in San Diego to visit my boyfriend. Then back to New York City for a weekend of birthday fun with my friends. Do you hear forks hitting plates and glasses banging on counters...?

Say it with me: Will power.