A long, long time ago, I used to think that a person’s keychain (or chains) said something about her – namely, my name is Nikki and I am in fifth grade and these are all of my interests and hobbies and vacation destinations and places where my aunt in the Air Force has been stationed, colorfully depicted in miniature and strung together in a huge awkward clump of keychains that will not fit in my pocket and, moreover, seem a bit unnecessary considering my only key is my house key.
Nowadays, I still have a lot of interests and hobbies, but I have simplified my keychain. The only thing on it is the little remote for my car, my car key, my house key, a four-way holy medal (and if you have to ask what that is, clearly you did not attend kindergarten through sixth grade at Sacred Heart Elementary), and – as of today – my gym membership card.
Yes! There is a new member of my little keychain family! A tiny little gym membership card that I have to swipe each time I go into…MY GYM!
I’ve been a member of this gym for, oh, about a week and a half. And today was my very first visit. I have to tell you guys, I am not exactly a “gym person.” (Those of you who know me in real life are nodding to yourselves.) I am convinced that I look funny and ridiculous when I – well, when I do anything, but especially if it’s something in the active, sporty vein. So naturally I prefer to do my working out in the privacy of my own home; only, funny thing, I began to notice that ever since I had Abigail, that never actually seemed to happen.
There are always a million reasons not to work out when you’re taking care of a toddler. And when your husband is taking care of the toddler, there are a million other things to do. And even if you can convince yourself not to cook something or do chores (which is not hard, for me), you don’t exactly want to jump up and go run four miles, either. When I’m at home and I’m not with Abby, my favorite thing to do is…wait for it…sit there and take just one minute for myself ohdeargod. So, after months of only sporadic exercise, I accepted the fact that I was going to have to leave my house to work out.
Why don’t I just run? Because running outside is for stronger, better people than I am, who can run marathons (I can’t) and don’t live in North Carolina’s eternal summer. But even after taking the leap and joining a gym earlier this month, I was totally prepared to put off the inaugural visit till another day; all I needed was an excuse – any excuse – like, I don’t know, a migraine; an upset stomach; my babysitter backing out; very heavy rain. But none of these things happened. My babysitter came over punctually as always, and I felt fine, and it was sunny, and not even so hot. So I stuffed all of my “gym things” into my “gym bag” (ginkgo tote), waved at the baby girl, and took off for the gym.
I headed for the cardio machines and switched the channel on the nearest TV to Law and Order. Post-Lenny, sadly (may he rest in peace), but still in the Jesse L. Martin years. Treadmill for 30 minutes, elliptical for ten, weird stationary bike for five. Turns out I still hate stationary bikes.
While I was stretching, I also glanced at all the weights – real gyms, it turns out, are simply lousy with weights – before reaching the conclusion that I had absolutely no idea how to use 99% of the weights, and anyway wasn’t it about time I showered and went for that iced coffee I had been craving. But I am going to learn to use those weights, I really am. At least, some of them. Because I care about my…bone density, or whatever.
Bottom line, my first real gym experience was surprisingly pleasant. I still think I look ridiculous working out (and all the mirrors at the gym kind of confirmed that for me), but on the up side, no one else seemed to notice or care. Really, the people there were quite friendly, and (unlike the gym at my alma mater) no one seemed to be staring at my treadmill speed and secretly judging and/or competing with me. And now I have a gym card on my keychain! So, if my keys are lost and a stranger picks them up, he or she will know that I am a person who cares about her health, who is trying to maintain an active lifestyle.
Now I am going to eat a cheeseburger and French fries, and possibly some apple cobbler, too. Why do you think I joined a gym?
I like to go swimming at the local YMCA. It’s also a friendly and very nonjudgmental environment.
The only thing I don’t like is pushy lap swimmers. If you’re not swimming laps, there are some people assume you’re not really there for a reason and behave as if you’re not in the pool, practically forcing you out. Note to lap swimmers: either stay in your designated lanes or respect the space of non-lap swimmers using the pool!
I used to go to the Y as a kid, for swim classes and such. It would be fun to go there now, but the gym is so much closer, and I know I could never force myself to go work out if I had to drive more than 15 minutes to get there. Sad but true. And time is an important factor, even if you are not as lazy as I am.
Dan keeps talking about signing up for a toddler swim class with Abby at the Y.
Yeah, I chose the Y because for me it was cheaper and closer. It’s probably best to go to the place you actually will go!
I think it’s a great idea to teach Abby to swim early. I think the longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes!
I feel your pain, because I’m really not a gym girl either…
I make myself go, though, mostly because I’m now at the age where I can’t pretend I’m a young thing that doesn’t have to worry about her health. Being thin is not enough — you’ve got to get the heart and lungs pumping and keep the bones strong! (Especially if I’m going to be chasing two toddlers around next year.)
My secret is changing it up a lot because I get bored so easily. About the only stationery machine I can cope with is the treadmill. I try to hit classes, which help – they give me some accountability since I don’t want to look like an idiot in front of everyone else!
You can do it, Nikki!
Thanks for the encouragement, Zoe. I am so not a health nut at all, but I really would like to be in better shape, as I tend to eat huge portions and indulge in sweets and fatty foods once in awhile. I was in a regular workout (running, mostly) routine before and during pregnancy, and lost the pregnancy weight without putting any effort into it, but I definitely feel slower, flabbier, more tired, etc. than I did when I worked out frequently. I’m sure my metabolism has slowed since having a baby. And Abby keeps me on my toes, so I need to have more energy and endurance.
I’m going to try some of the classes at my gym – I want to try spin class, for one, and maybe cardio kickboxing. There’s also a women’s strength training group that sounds like it could be a good thing. I’ve only ever used hand weights, but I should probably learn how to use other kinds of free weights.
I am also fond of Jerry Orbach (Lennie Briscoe).
Law and Order has never been the same to me since he died. Which is saying something, as Law and Order has really been the same for like 20 years.
LOL! True.