It’s All Gravy, Baby August 13, 2008

 

In the spring, I was in the spell to join a gym - yet again. I decided that I needed to get in shape for the summer, and my sister, thanks to Weight Watchers and her trusty treadmill, had already lost about 40 pounds and was determined to get me in shape, too.

I knew I had to do something, cause as much as Lebron loves my curves, our domestic life had packed on quite a few more curves I didn’t want. Yes, it’s all gravy when you and the ms. first move in together, but then it becomes gravy and mashed potatoes and fried pork chops eventually, and never even knew what hit you. I knew I had gained a little weight, and it didn’t help when, after my weigh-in at my annual physical, I saw the proof. Luckily for me, the doctor told me I was in good shape – cholesterol and sugar fine, blood pressure good. It was a relief, but I knew my doctor wasn’t exactly proud of the extra poundage either.

However, considering I’d been heavy at the last annual physical, it was something he already knew I knew – it didn’t need to be said.

With my sister’s insistence and my own go-get it attitude about having the body I wanted, I joined a gym. This was after visiting another gym, a co-ed one, and having to deal with the probing questions of the manager. A man. One who asked questions like, “So why do you want to join a gym?” and “What’s your motivation?“

Once he found out I had had a membership with his establishment before, he was all on me like white on rice. “So you joined a gym then, but you don’t go to one now. What makes you think you can keep motivated now unlike before?” he sneered. Personally, I didn’t like what he was insinuating, but I tried to keep an even tone as I gave him my answer, because I knew the reason I was there. To lose weight – and with his snotty attitude, he was giving me all the ammunition.

However, my sister and I decided on another gym, one that has women-only membership. Hey, you know that works for me on so many levels: never having to see men at while I work out, being in womanly atmosphere, seeing a lot (and I mean, a lot) of ladies I knew. And it didn’t hurt to have the fine physiques of the female specimen around.

The first couple weeks of gym membership are great. Usually, it’s the time when you tend to go the most, because you are so geeked about seeing results. That first week, I went about three times, taking different classes and seeing which one fit me. I loved Zumba, especially when I get to roll my hips and shake my carungas. That’s fun, exercising without making it feel like exercising. The kickboxing is okay, and get me pretty sore afterward.

Since joining, I will admit, I have slacked off a bit. There was a time when I was a little less geeked, and a little more lazy than I liked. I’ve fixed that attitude, and conceded the only way to get the weight off and lessen the soreness is to keep going, whether I like it or not. Besides, I am paying for this exercise torture once a month, so I better put it to good use.

Not to mention my sister looks great. That’s motivation enough for me.