Gym or cleaner?

[Thisisjammmmhot]

Dd starts nursery in September, only part time, but will be the first time I’ve been alone without her in 3 years.
Need to lose 2-3 stone, can’t afford to keep my cleaner and pay for a gym.
I have an exercise bike and weights in the spare room, plus have a dog to take for walks (walking isn’t enough for me to lose weight though) in the last I had to work out a few times a week to be a size 10. If I paid for a gym and got all the gear etc, I’d be more likely to force myself to go, whereas at home after dropping Dd off, I might just slump on the sofa.
I adore having my cleaner, I forsake other things to afford her.
Which one would you pay for?

@Welshiefluff Chatming 🤣Having a cleaver doesn’t imply laziness, I work and also have a hyper toddler, I'm pretty much exhausted
I also do have motivation-again, had no time and was exhausted

*Cleaner

@Flatdisco Yes, sadly 😪couple of stone at least, since having Dd, heaviest I’ve ever been

Everyone saying what you eat is more important is quite right, but it's also about the headspace required for weight loss. You may find having a cleaner clears your head a bit more for the mental energy. Personally, the pleasure that the gym gives me filters over into the rest of my life much more (cleaning doesn't occupy much of my time or headspace), improves my mood and just makes me more likely to make healthier choices all round.

I'm surprised at how many people value the cleaner more, as I love love love the gym and don't find cleaning that much of an issue, but it's quite a personal thing. You have to forget what works in theory and go with what works in practice, for you.

Cleaner, and download a free fitness app 🙂 I think I'm love with my cleaner, can only afford 2 hrs every fortnight, but it makes life so much easier!

100% cleaner.
A gym is only necessary if you’re very advanced. HIIT and body weight exercises are quite effective with weight loss.

I have a similar motivation issue - stick earphones in the moment you get home, use it to psych yourself off and head off to exercise immediately. Don’t sit down!

It’s hard the first few days but after that it comes naturally the pull of the exercise endorphin rush is stronger than the slump 😄

The very fact you have a cleaner implies to me you are a bit lazy...I doubt you have the motivation to go for runs outside.

Bitter much?

Fitness blender is very good for balanced workout routines and they have Great free ones!

Going to the gym isn't just about fitness, it will also help your mental well-being and get you out and about, meeting new people. If you go regularly, you'll find you have more energy and the cleaning won't seem like such a chore ( or if you're like me, you'll care less about the house because you're out more! )

I'm similar OP in that I HAVE to exercise or I gain weight.
Could you go for PureGym (cheap and cheerful but has everything you need) and reduce the amount of days you have the cleaner come in, or if its weekly change to two weekly and then you're getting the best of both?

I am surprised that everyone is saying cleaner! I'd definitely keep a gym membership over a cleaner.
I just don't find cleaning that big a deal, and it just gets done as I go along but I would really miss the gym. I love the classes and the weights I can access there are heavier than any home equipment I have. I get that diet is important but mentally and physically I get far more out of the gym than I would out of having someone mop my floors once a week!

‘Heaviest you’ve been’ is one thing but it’s possible to put on two stone and still be a healthy weight.

If you don’t actually need to lose much then it’s a fight to keep it off, yes.

I’d choose a cleaner but I detest the gym.

@Packingsoapandwater

It depends how much they cost. I'd be inclined to see whether I could afford a cleaner once a fortnight and an exercise class once a week.

I get a bit narked by people saying diet is the issue. For some people, it is impossible to function on the kind of calorific amounts they'd have to keep to to be a size 10 if they have a largely sedentary day because they work in an office.

Well firstly everyone’s natural size is not a size 10

Secondly if you have to starve yourself to function due to a sedentary lifestyle you need to see a doctor about a metabolic disorder

Heaviest you’ve been’ is one thing but it’s possible to put on two stone and still be a healthy weight.

Being a theoretical healthy weight doesn’t guarantee that you will like what you see staring back at you in the mirror.

@pinkcattydude

Clean yourself as exercise and use the money for treats

This was exactly what I was going to say!!

@Merryoldgoat I’m not a healthy weight unfortunately, two stone over what I should be. I need to lose weight.

I would think that bike riding outside and long dog walks would be much better for your mental health and better for WeightLoss too. I think you said you had some weights at home ? Add these in and I wouldn't bother with the gym .

@Coogee no but it’s harder to lose weight if you’re already a healthy one, that’s all I meant.

OP what are you going yo do at the gym? If you just use the treadmill or light cycling then keep the cleaner and go for a run or walk. If you're doing weights, spin or swimming then keep the gym and drop the cleaner.

OP, how often is the cleaner coming? Can you reduce cleaner visits by 50% and invest money in gym/membership/Equipment?

Gym without a doubt.

But I love the gym and will sacrifice other things to get there. I clean my house myself and can burn 400 calories doing it!

Definitely keep the cleaner. I'd give my right arm, a leg and possibly a kidney to be able to afford a cleaner

Cleaner 100%

Cleaner. And do more free exercise and eat a bit better

Honestly I would ditch the cleaner, forgo the gym and throw yourself into cleaning the house for 1/2 the time your DD is at nursery. You’d be shocked how much exercise cleaning enthusiastically is.

Chuck the money you save into a separate account and pat yourself on the back as it builds up