Can I keep my gym membership?

depressed_but_determined

I hope you don't think this is really trivial but I just want to ask some more advice.
I included my gym membership on my dmp with the cccs as I have had it 6 years and I go 5-6 times a week as my only real leisure time and it's also where I do a lot of socialising. I took the cheapest and best membership for myself which is £21.90 a month and I have to say it has been a real saviour for time out while I deal with the fallout before beginning my DMP.
I have read a lot of posts where people have been encouraged to give this up but I don't know if I can, I think I will slump deeper into depression if I don't have somewhere to go during the day to let off steam and then relax. I am getting over an eating disorder and I turned to the gym to help me feel better about myself without abusing my body and so far it has worked.
Do you think the CCCS will want me to cancel and use the money to pay off more debts, I completely understand that it's logical.

Just wanted to ask some peoples advice again, you have all been great so far

Thanks

immoral_angeluk

Generally gym memberships are 12-18 month contracts anyway, so presumably these would be included. I'm not 100% sure whether the CCCS would count this.. so it would be best to ask them.

depressed_but_determined

Thanks, I will do. Still trying to contact the blasted fee paying company to cancel my DMP with them - I have tried letter, fax, email and telephone - Will not give up until i get a response today.
Ahh just going to Step aerobics to forget for an hour!
I appreciate your post

lilian1977

I would keep it up if it makes you happier and healthier. You can't be expected to give EVERYTHING up, even if you are on a DMP. Would you give up buying food, washing your hair etc? I can understand that people who do not really use their memberships are advised to give up but £21.90 per month is such a small amount per week for the happiness it clearly gives you.

xx

Idiophreak

I'd have thought it'd be ok if you sold it like that, but not 100%...

If not, you can always think about running instead - will get you out and about, get you some fresh air and keep up the exercise...

tyllwyd

I'm not sure what the rules are if it is a contract - but maybe you could not mention it directly on your SOA, but cover it as 'entertainment' or 'holiday savings', or just save the money out of your grocery budget. Gym memberships are one of those things that lots of people take out in January and never use again, so that's why they get picked up in SOAs! But one aerobics session/swimming per week doesn't sound excessive, and you are only paying the equivalent of that, so if I were you I'd do my best to keep it.

depressed_but_determined

Thank you all very much, I agree that it is a luxury and wil treat it as such. I think you may be right about including it in another part of the SOA. I have managed to shave money off elsewhere and I am not really bothered about having any off the other things I had to give up.
I can go to the gym today feeling a little less guilty!

Thanks again

depressed_but_determined

Idiophreak I agree about the running but up here in scotland the weather never permits except maybe 2 days a month lol. If it comes to it I could always buy a keep fit video but I suppose then I am shying away indoors again and hiding from the world.

I really appreciate your advice

lxpeanut

I kept my gym membership but I put the costs in as things which are allowed but I never use. i.e. hairdressing costs when I get mine done for free. I think they are gerneraly seen as a luxery. But mine is my only luxury, costs £10 a week and I use it a lot. For me it was worth sacrificing something else to keep. Talk to CCCS and see what they say they are usualy quite good at saying you can sneek it in where you are not spending as much as the "allowed" amount. I would also check the contract if you can't cancel it then it is a cost you have to pay.

Idiophreak

depressed_but_determined wrote: »

Idiophreak I agree about the running but up here in scotland the weather never permits except maybe 2 days a month lol. If it comes to it I could always buy a keep fit video but I suppose then I am shying away indoors again and hiding from the world.

I really appreciate your advice

One of the great things about running, actually, is that the weather really isn't an obstacle, unless it's mega-icy, or up to your neck in snow...

Running gets you pretty hot, so it actually helps if it's cold out, if anything - and you're gonna need a cup of tea and a shower after a run anyway, so it doesn't matter if it rains on you - superheat in the summer's the worst conditions, but that's not really a concern in Scotland, is it?