Ladies Workout Express

I sincerely dislike working out. Before college, my idea of working out was turning the pages in a book or walking down my driveway to get the mail. In my defense, my driveway was pretty long. All of that changed when I got to college. I started to get a little bit chubby and decided it was time to hit that dreadful place known as the gym.

I remember my first trip to the gym quite well, actually. I was scared to go by myself, so I enlisted the help of Matt, who was just a friend at the time. Since I always had 8 am classes in college, we decided to meet outside his room at 6. I ended up having to wake him up, but he was a good sport about it. He showed me where the gym was, how I should sign in and sign up for the different machines I wanted to use. I eagerly jumped on an exercise bike, and he went off to lift weights. I was on the bike for exactly 15 minutes when I decided that I had had enough. My heart rate was up, my mouth was dry, and I was sweating! I was more than a little embarrassed when I found him and told him I was leaving, but he was really nice about it. He just grinned and told me he'd walk me back.

After that first trip, my experiences at the gym improved slightly. I learned how to pace myself and drink lots of water so that I don't die. It's still not a party.

When I was first looking for a gym in the area, I sniffed at places like Curves or Ladies Workout Express. I wanted a real gym, one where I would be amongst men and women who were already fit. I researched different places and saw this great deal for Ladies Workout Express. I figured I'd go in, try the circuit once and then probably look somewhere else.

I went in, saw all of these older women going around the circuit and had to fight to roll my eyes. This was going to be pathetic. A woman showed me how to work all the machinery and then I was off. I was maybe halfway around the circuit when the sweat started pouring off my body and I started thinking, please make it stop, please make it stop! I felt like I was going to die, and these little old ladies were dancing and hopping around me like it was some Satanic ritual. The first few times were incredibly difficult, but then it quickly got easier. I feel like I get a good workout there, and they have a variety of exercise machinery in addition to the circuit. Sometimes they also offer aerobics classes.

The problem I have with Ladies Workout Express is that it's pretty small. This is a good thing when I'm working out and the lady working there says things like, "Get those arms up! You did way more reps two days ago!" I am always greeted by my first name, which is also nice. Whoever is working there will ask me stuff about the wedding, my job, and other things like that. It becomes a problem when I haven't gone for a couple of weeks and I'm greeted with, "Whoa! I never thought I'd see you again! Look everyone, she's back!" It makes me want to crawl into a little hole of shame. I went several times a week during the summer, but I've been dealing with sickness after sickness since school started. I went once in December and once in January. It's so frustrating!

Perhaps this spring will be better.