[Sportsandrec] New list member with fitness-related questions and goals for the new year

[Miranda B.]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this list, and if appropriate, I have some questions regarding
health/fitness and public gyms.

To give a bit of background, I ran track in junior high and high school, and
throughout high school I ran 5 days a week and lifted weights 3 days a week.
Mind you, that was over 10 years ago, so the most exercise I do at the
moment is extensive walking.

I would like to eat healthier and exercise in the new year, both to lose
some weight before possibly traveling overseas for the summer, and just to
be more healthy and in-shape. I'm trying to plan ahead, hence my message to
all of you today.

I live in a second floor apartment, so any at-home exercise should be
minimal in noise. However, I do also have access to a gym at my university,
although I haven't yet had a chance to explore it as someone who is
completely blind. A couple of my visually impaired friends inquired for
themselves if anyone was available to assist them with learning how to
accessibly use the equipment, and it seemed that this was not possible.
However, I do have at least one sighted friend who I would trust to help me
in this way, if necessary.

I should also note that I have an iPhone, so I can use health and
fitness-related apps as well. For instance, I loved using MyFitnessPal
earlier this year, except it became tedius to enter and find the correct
ingredients for meals and recipes.

Do you have any tips or advice related to inexpensive gym memberships (in
the event I decide to go that route) or accessibility in my university's
gym, helpful iPhone apps, exercise mats, dumbbell brands, accessible scales
that connect to the iPhone, or anything else related to my goal for the new
year?

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance, and I wish all of you a
happy holiday season!

 

Best wishes, Miranda