Money can be a motivator that some people need. Even tho *I* go to the gym semi-regularly, my motivation can vary. Losing a few pounds helps, then you need to avoid celebrating by having tasty treats!
As someone posted, gyms (24hr / LA Fitness / Golds, etc) know that a good percentage of people may end up using the gym 5-10 times and then be done. Hence they charge by the year (they should) as it too is a motivation for that person "I paid for it, I should use it".
For those who want to lose weight, keep in mind of these tips... especially IF you are way out of shape, haven't done anything in years. It may take days or months for your body to show signs of losing weight.. once you start losing weight and you keep it up - it will be constant.
Having starts and stops every few weeks is going to give you crappy results "The weight doesn't come off!". Even I have to keep reminding myself.
I'm 6ft tall, my heaviest weight was 245lbs (10 years ago). It took a few years to get in the mindset to lose the weight and I got down to 225 very slowly... then I did hardwork outs and got down to 175~180 (7 years ago). With work and stuff, I've gotten up to 210, such as this New Year. Which I made my pact to get back down to 180~175lbs.
As of today, I've hit 198.8lbs. (avg about 2.5lbs per week, which is a good amount to lose)
But I had started my work-outs during the fall (hit 217lbs at one point)... I'd workout 1-2 days a week, depending. But doing at least 4-5 times a week at 1-2hr each = 2~4lbs of fatburn, while gaining some muscle too.
I'm 3x stronger than last year already.
*I KNOW* I can reach 195, then 190, then 185, etc. Go in steps. don't get discouraged if you miss a few days and gain a pound or so back.
Other tips:
A) Lay off McDonalds, etc... as much as you can. Or get kids meals.
B) Try breakfast cereals for meals... while a bit high in sugars on some, they are healthier than fast food and actually have vitamins.
C) Smaller meals in general. Also, eat greens... like peas, green beans, etc.
D) Stop drinking soda pop as much as possible. Carbonated drinks are bad for your bones anyway. I gotta have my Dr.Pepper... thou. I only buy pop when having a party/guests come over, otherwise - no 2liter bottles or cans in my home. Only when I'm out.
E) Drink lots of water. Also, drink more water. You body needs it, it fills you up too. {Yes, when out having diner, I do order water half the time}
By reducing your junk intake, you can at least stop gaining weight and lose slowly. Combined with working out, then YOU will lose weight. No magic pill or gut-vibration machine is going to do it.
Buy a bicycle, especially if you live near or can drive to a bike path. Its good to get out and get those lungs working... and far less boring than being inside a gym. As weather gets good, I'll ride my bike instead of going to the gym, other than using the weights and pool.
If you don't own a bike, I recommend the $150 Schwinn mountain bike from Walmart. Don't get the $60~100 junk or the $150~250 fancy models with rear suspension (which look COOL, but are designed for looks, but the function is for downhill off-road - bad for work outs on a bike trail) These non-recommended bikes are cheap and will fall apart within months, especially if YOU weigh 250+ lbs!
If you like to bike, then maybe migrate to a $500~800 bike from Trek, Cannondale, etc. My $500 Trek has 4000+ miles on it. But even that $150 Schwinn should last well and worth upgrading the parts that fail.
F) Stop smoking, there are NO health benefits to that. Its a myth about losing weight by smoking. But what may happen is that you eat more as you change one habit for another, so you have to mentally fix that. Go to the gym, eat better, etc.
When you are at a good weight, you look and feel better. More attractive to the ladies too.
I'm in my 40s. The girls I meet, date, dance, party with are in the 21~32yr range. When I'm 175~185lbs, I pass for a 26~30yr old. Considering that the USA is a country of overweight people, I'm already considered thin (I have muscles) and I'm stronger than avg guys (Yes, I arm wrestle in bars/clubs with other drinking folks - and usually win)
So go to the gym, don't get discourage... it takes a while for your body's metabolism to speed up, the younger you are - the easier / and better it is for you to do this, especially over the age of 24 when things start slowing down. I've seen so many of my friends start gaining weight about then (like I did).
Last tip: 24hr Fitness charges about $200+$30 fee per year (typical of gyms) / Monthly = $30~50fee + 1 month deposit + 1st month ($30) is about $100, not worth it.
But if you go to COSTCO, its $200 for TWO years! Thats $8.33 a month.
Good luck!
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