And Furthermore…
In yesterday’s post I talked about my decision to sign up for a 50K trail race at the end of April (GULP!) But I have ANOTHER fitness goal to share as well. I’ve mentioned that I’m, slowly but surely, working my way through Caroline Girvan’s Iron Series on YouTube. I’ve completed 20 of the 30 workouts, and I’ll definitely finish it. But today I stopped in at an old haunt… Yes, the gym! The gym I’ve been a member of for years but haven’t gone since before Covid. I didn’t go there to work out, but rather to make sure that location was still open and that I am, actually, still a member. They were able to confirm that I’m still a member, and told me I haven’t been there for 1,070 days. AAAAACK! I really don’t think that needed to be pointed out. It’s not that I’m upset about not going to the gym for so long- I mean, I HAVE been exercising- but I’m upset that I’ve been PAYING for the gym all this time. How did this happen? Well, for one thing, YouFit is cheap. I used to pay $10 a month but sometime in the last 1,070 days it’s gone up to $12. That didn’t seem like too much to pay… and I kept thinking I might go back any day… AND you actually have to go there to cancel- it’s not like you can do it over the phone or online. Basically, I’m their dream client- someone who pays but never goes. Well, no more. Next week when my son is home, he and I are going to the gym together. I actually had to upgrade to a more expensive membership to be able to bring a guest. I can just imagine them thinking “Wow, this woman is really optimistic- she hasn’t been here in over 1000 days, and she just came in to UPGRADE HER MEMBERSHIP.” My son has been working out at school, so I “innocently” asked him if he’d like to go to the gym a couple times while he’s home, and he said yes. MUAHAHAHAHA! Little does he know I have ulterior motives. After all this time, it’s so hard for me to go back to the gym. I feel insecure about it, like I don’t belong there anymore (although God knows if anyone deserves to be there, it’s me, after all the money I’ve paid them.) And the truth is, I don’t WANT to go back. I want to just keep working out in the privacy and comfort of my own home. But I HAVE TO GO. I have to start lifting heavier weights. I learned this after I read Stacy Sims’ book, Next Level. The workouts I’m doing would be great if I were in my 20s or 30s, or even 40s, but I now understand that post-menopausal women need to be lifting heavier weights. The only way for me to do that is to go to the gym. I know no one is going to be snickering behind my back at how weak and puny I am… but I still feel self-conscious. I figured if my son came with me the first couple times, it would be easier. He might even be able to give me some tips. My goal is to go twice next week while he’s home, and after that I can go on my own. I’m not sure how I’m going to work this into my schedule yet, but I’ll figure it out! That seems to be the theme of my life lately- jump right in and figure it out afterwards. Does anyone actually go to the gym? Or are you completely happy with whatever workouts you do at home?