Gym Experiences

February 19, 2003

Dear Beloved Group

Well my gym experiences have vacillated from the sad and pathetic to

the hysterical. My first day joining Crunch (payroll deducted thru work -

that I could get out of in 3 month intervals) I walked in TERRIFIED of being

there.... not knowing ANYTHING and feeling like a big fat moron. After I

checked in and had my picture taken the perky girl behind the counter said

" Have a great workout " ..... I was thinking.. " What the heck is GREAT about

working out?? " I had never graced the doors of this gym and had no idea what

to do now... I followed a lady into the locker room and changed my heart was

racing as I emerged in a T-shirt and sweatpants..... looked around and

recognized a treadmill and prayed that they would have moron proof

directions.. .they did and I hopped on trying to look cool as I scanned the

machines for something I recognized and watching other people. After my 15

mins on a speed of 3 and not even THINKING about what the heck that incline

button was for I dared to 'do arms' and founds some machine that looked

vaguely familiar from my BRIEF stint in a gym 12yrs earlier. The ENTIRE time

I was in the gym I was convinced that the other 'gym rats' were laughing

hysterically at the fat girl who was clearly w/o a clue!!! But I pressed

on.... till my time had been served and I raced out. to the car to call a

friend and tell them I'd had actually gone INSIDE a gym!!! My second visit I

was sitting on the machine that does your inner thighs w/ my legs spread

eagle thinking " THIS has to be some sadistic MAN machine " when a very nice

guy walks up to me and says hello and asked me " How's the workout going? "

I'm thinking... why THIS machine.... is it THAT obvious that I have NO clue

what I'm doing?... so my gracious response was " All right I guess.. I have no

clue what I'm doing " .... he talked to me for a few mins and realized I was a

" newbie " and offered me a free training session...... at first I was pretty

skeptical but figured what the heck I couldn't look MORE stupid. I agreed

and we made an appointment. My first day of training was good in retrospect

but I honestly thought I was going to die!!! After he showed me the stupid

incline button on the treadmill we did weights and stuff... at one point he

had to 'lay me out' cause I almost passed out (was only 4 months post op) put

my feet up on a big ball and cool me down.. I was so embarrassed and he was

WONDERFUL... always encouraging always nice always funny and didn't mine my

CONSTANT whining!!! I told him how foreign everything in a gym was to me and

he patiently explained each step and what muscles etc etc..... After our

first session when I thought I would die he graciously offered me a second

session for free.... (I think he felt bad for me) so a sucker for anything

free I agreed. Then of course I bought ten sessions w/ him and it was the

best money I ever spent. Can't afford him now but still take his spinning

class one or two times a week. My trainer was excellent... always

listening.... standing behind me so my butt was exposed to everyone, even

laughing hysterically when I realized I wasn't the fattest one at the gym!!!

It was quite an experience and I spent many morning crying in the parking lot

of the gym not wanting to go in.... but I did... a lot of encouragement from

friends helped. And several calls AFTER a session to them from the locker

room saying " HELP he's KILLED ME!!! " Honestly thinking " I cannot get up from

this bench " One time this lady asked me " Honey, are you ok... you don't look

so good " But amidst all the drama I have become 'comfortable' at the gym....

still pout when I have to go..... and will NEVER say that I ENJOY working

out... but at least I feel I'm doing my part to add to the entertainment of

the staff.

Last funny story...... On the elliptical machine (I've left the treadmill

behind - due to boredom and almost falling one time) I went to grab my water

bottle and keep moving to look cool ya know.... opened it.... went to drink

it and the stupid bar that you hold onto hit my elbow and I took a bath in

the water instead!!!! I was mortified and just tried to act like I was

really sweating!!!

So there's always fun and entertainment at the gym!!! My advice... get a

trainer at least at first. He/she will help to push you to limits you've

never known.... and get some support to 'strongly encourage' aka MAKE YOU get

in the gym when you don't want to.

Till next time

Sondra

RNY 10/01

start 289

now 169

goal 145

February 19, 2003