Jess,
Well when I joined amonth or so ago, I met up with a trainer for a fitness assessment, (boy THAT was a wake up call!) so I have a scheduled list of weights to lift, and cardio to do. So three days a week I'm supposed to be training to run a 10 miler in April (weather has delayed this a bit) those three days I do two days of upper body weights. The off days, I do 30 minutes at least of the bike. Then I do my lower body weights.
So I'll eventually up the cardio for an hour each day, either, running, biking, elypitical(sp!) or the treadmill walking hill intervals. Then up my weights that I lift too.
Jumping rope really is great for burning calories. Yet, like you said, you've GOTTA like to jump! I actually have a rope and haven't tried it in years, so now you've given me some good motivation.. and at least i"m no longer living in a 2nd floor apt, can't imagine my neighbors would like it.
What I love best about the gym is, the TV's that I can watch to distract myself and listen to via headphones. Or I bring a book or magazine or mp3 player to distract me from the actual task of working out. It keeps me going an dbefore I know it I've completed 30 minutes!
Another motivating factor I have to chat abou tis that my FH is so proud of me, and loves that I'm posting in my journal what I'm eating. I told ihm all the girls here will kick my rear-end if I don't keep on track! He think its hilarous..
Oh to add to my food today, I had s nack of some christmas goodies I've made ("puppy chow" if you want the recipe let me know) anyhow.. add about 100 calories on for that.
Ahh.. on to mondayh now. ack work!