This may not seem like much, but believe me: it is. I was really
hesitant even just to meet with my Work Out Consultant (ie: sales rep)
and flaked out at least 4 times before finally making it through the
door, just to get that free pass. I actually circled the parking lot
prior to a scheduled appointment okay - two! and
never set foot out of my car. "The hardest part is getting through the
door," My Sales Rep tells me. Well no kidding here! My challenge was
more mental than anything else; with thoughts of I've body image issues, I'm too self-conscious, I'm easily intimidated by complicated machinery…and I'm horribly, horribly shy weren't helpful and was really keeping me back.
I ended up making my initial visit on the spur-of-the-moment, which shattered all my preconceived notions of when and how I'd walk into the gym. Luckily, I was in my warehouse grubbies (I'd finished helping Chris unload the latest container from China). I didn't notice it was peak hour until I took in the facilities on tour. The crowd definitely made me nervous--everyone seemed so knowledgeable about whatever workout regimen they're on--and meanwhile, I was trying to figure out how to operate the elliptical (Note to self: move legs) and seeing just where I fit into the scheme of this particular gym. My free trial membership was upgraded from one week to two, but I didn't use it until the start of the 2nd week.
On Friday night, I finally got the courage to go and work out...at 8pm when I was pretty sure that the gym would be relatively empty. I lasted about 3 minutes on the stair climber, another 10 on the elliptical and the remaining 30 was on the safety of the treadmill. I had more "fun" than I thought I would and there was plenty to keep me entertained: my iPod, the music overhead, your own TV and channel selection, even people watching. With this being the first spurt of any activity in a long sedentary lifestyle, I knew to pace myself, and couldn't get away from watching the minutes tick by, but was rather surprised at 45 minutes passing so quickly. Equally as unavoidable were the little quips in my head of my laughing at myself, but I cut myself some slack as this was a new environment/experience and hey, I can't be perfect. (I sure can be a slow learner though).
I tried to stop by on Saturday, but was pressed for time in making a delivery to Carlsbad between 11-1pm. I made up for a lack of activity by stupidly putting together a reception hutch with the help of Y. (I say stupidly b/c the assembly instructions were totally wrong so Y & I had to piece parts together like puzzles.) The top counter is to hold a marble slab which I wanted to put on, but I was getting joint spasms from my waist down my hips to my legs and the hutch was rather rickety and wobbly. So the marble slab is going on another day (as in when hutch and table are no longer rickety!). Upon return home, I had a hot soak in the tub + Tylenol. Woke up not as sore on Sunday and tried to make it to the Zumba class at 9pm, but didn't leave until 10. The gym still full by the time I got there (ack! slight panic), but I managed to find an elliptical for 15 minutes, after which I spotted my Sales Rep. My arms & legs were getting trembly, so I stopped and found a paper towel to wipe down the equipment ($7.50 for a towel?!). Went over to former trainer, new Navy recruit, no-nonsense kinda guy Sales rep to say 'thanks' for being pushy and giving me motivation (BMI 38 - obese!). And I ended up doing crunches on this ab machine.
I leave for a conference in Vegas tomorrow and off to HKG again before the ides of March (not nearly enough time to get office set up for employees starting in April). For the first time, I'll be checking out the fitness amenities in each of the places where I'm staying. I think by the time I return from travels, 24Hr will be having their discounted sale rates. I just may be cashing in on that after all.
[cross posted: LJ]
