Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Inwhich Marcia Gets Off Her Lazy Ass:

I emailed Matt today from work. This in and of itself is not unusal. But what the email said was: "Gym tonight?"

People, the earth is shattering around you as read this. The skies are opening up and brimstone is raining down. Dick Cheney's shooting people in the face. Snowballs are freezing in hell.

Let's go over this again: I asked to go to the gym.

I usually don't go on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. But last night at the gym, I rediscovered the joy of the stairmaster. All the elliptical machines were in use, and I cast my eyes around for something to do. Because, honestly, my first instinct was to walk back home and say consider the 3 blocks to the gym and 3 blocks back my workout.

Also, I was nervous because I was at the gym alone. This is something I've refused to do for years. Matt offered to buy me a gym membership all this past winter, but since he prefers running, I would have had to go alone. And gyms are intimidating places. I never know where to go or what to do. So when he'd bring up the subject, I'd cry, and he'd leave me alone.

But now Matt and I have been going to the gym together 3 times a week for more than a month. So when he told me that he was going to run, which I can't do (bad knee), I almost didn't exercise yesterday. But he "strongly encouraged" me to go, so I did.

So I got on the stair machine for the first time in 4 years, and it totally kicked my ass, and I loved it. When I use an eliptical for 40 minutes, it makes me tired, but my muscles don't hurt. 15 minutes on the stairmaster (plus 30 on the eliptical) make my muscles hurt, and I like it.

I went back today, again alone, of my own volition. On a day when I wasn't even supposed to work out.

And I might go again tomorrow.

I hope I don't turn into one of those crazy health nut people. Because I really love french fries and it would suck if I gave them up.

13 comments:

Teri M. said...

Definitely don't give up the fries - you can catch the sparkle of pretty diamonds and things out of the corner of your eye as you lift the golden, greasy goodness to your lips.

Wow, I've been lurking here forever but I didn't comment, cuz I have a paralyzing fear of sounding like an idiot in people's comment section.

Good luck with the whole workout thing!

Lena said...

Why did you have to go and confirm what I already know to be true? The eliptical doesn't hurt because it's not doing anything! Waaaaaaa!

Good for you Marcia. I SAT and ATE and BLOGGED and RESISTED PLAYING BARBIES. Oh, don't wait to have kids. Don't wait another minute. Heh.

v said...

Umm, does this mean you guys are going to visit all of us and scream:

"Wee Vant To Pumf You Up!"

Yes, that is a circa 1989/1990 SNL reference.

I'm old.

Kiki said...

omg this is the best news I've heard in a long time. I like when people get addicted to the gym! Isn't is fun. But in the future, to feel less intimidate, I usually put on my headphones and scowl. No one wants to mess with a girl who's working out and scowling!

Anonymous said...

Well good for you and your exercising self! I definitely go through phases where I want to work out every day or I feel like total crap, but BEWARE of the burnout! I hit burnout a month ago and it's back to being a struggle to get my butt back out there to the treadmill ;)

Jay said...

Health Nut? Doubtful. Plain old Nut? Getting warmer...

Anonymous said...

I want to go to the gym, but everytime I try, I remember that my ankle is swole like a bouncer and I'm working 12-14 hours a day.

Right.

Suburban Turmoil said...

Wow. You made me want to try the stairmaster and I'm an elliptical FREAK. I love french fries, too. We should totally work out together.

Jen said...

Congrats....but make sure you have your cake and eat it too!

doggerelblogger said...

Ah, but the beauty of regular fierce exercise is that you don't HAVE to give up french fries!

And also I think it should probably be "Dick Cheney's NOT shooting people in the face." Because, you know, he does tend to do that.

Anonymous said...

I love the stairmaster. I can feel my ass becoming a work of art while doing it.

Virenda said...

I feel the same way about going to the gym. My husband doesn't go so I just feel awkward and I HATE IT. However I really do like exercising once I get past the whole tired thing.

I just found the StairMaster and DAMN. It's pain and I like it too. :0)

Panthergirl said...

I like the Gauntlet...the thing that looks like an escalator where you walk up REAL stairs. The stairmaster never did much for me.

That said, I need to get my flabby ass to the gym. Thanks for the motivation!!