Hide and Seek

Okay, if you read my last month’s blog, you will know that I was supposed to have a tennis lesson with Gary Muller by now. I know, I know. I totally will but he’s been busy, I’ve been busy and the fact that I essentially hide every time I see him may have something to do with him. Have I mentioned that hand/eye coordination is not one of my best qualities? I will submit to it soon though, I promise!

Panic! At the Gym...

Oh dear lord. I just received my invitation to our 20^th (gulp) reunion at Queen’s University.  Will be great to see all my old friends but one thing is painfully obvious to me: since my Comm ’92 jacket is a perfect fit for my slight 12 year old son, there is little chance it will zip up on me at all. And while coveralls were the outfit of choice back in the day, I don’t think I will fool anyone if I try pulling this look off at the reunion. I scroll through all the attendees and note that they fall into two groups: 1) those whose FB profile pics are of themselves – these people have not changed a bit and may actually look better than they did at University and 2) those who cowardly post pics of their kids and/or pets as their FB pic. I fall into the latter category. Face it, there is no clearer admission that you have either gained a lot of weight and/or lost a lot of hair than to avoid posting your own pic. But unlike my panic when I received my invite to my 20th high school reunion, I now have a feasible plan (my HS reunion plan to wear black and stay under dim lights was only marginally successful). I am going to continue going to the gym AT LEAST 3 times per week, building to 4 or 5 in the 2 months before the reunion. Thankfully, I have 6 months before the reunion. This will work!

The Thighs of March

Okay, so the excitement of February has given way to a much more trying March. Maybe it’s the Ides, maybe it’s my thighs…I don’t know. I do know that this month has been an exercise (no pun intended) in getting myself over to the gym despite a series of events that would keep me away. I wouldn’t say I’ve totally won this battle but hopefully I will end the month stronger and more determined.

Ode to the Play Centre

How much do I love the Play Centre at the ORC? Let me count the ways: 1) I love that my daughter is excited to go. At first I tried squeezing in the gym only while she was at school, but now I realize she looks forward to going which is awesome! 2) the women running the centre are awesome! They are caring and firm and make sure all the kids are having fun. I love these ladies! 3) there are tonnes and tonnes of toys and lots of space to run around. No wonder they love it! Best of all? No mess in my house! It's the perfect playdate. 5) It's the best deal in town. Ridiculously reasonable in cost, it really makes my gym time great - I feel good about bringing my daughter somewhere where she can have fun and so can I! But ORC parents - please bring on the girls - it's definitely a boys' club in there!

Here I Go Again...

Oh snap. Getting back to the gym after being away is HARD.

March Break Commeth...

Yes, March Break is awesome. But being away from the gym for at least 10 days (hey – it’s a long drive to Hilton Head!) will be tricky. At least I know I will keep up some sort of exercise while I’m there.  I plan on biking for at least an hour each day I’m there and going for long walks on the beach (so hard, right?). However, since I also plan on spending at least an hour each day at the Salty Dog bar, it will be time for payback when I return. Wish me luck!

Before and After, But Mostly After

Okay. I’m thinking before and after photos would be awesome! If there was some way to achieve this without actually doing a before photo, I would like the idea even better. I will be like one of those Hydroxycut ladies (but probably no spray tan and no crazy eyes from all that epinephrine). I should’ve come up with this idea before my very first visit but it will still work – a “before-ish” pic. Watch for it!

A Gym Virgin By Any Other Name...

Okay, because I would way rather focus on the fun and superficial (and look where that has gotten me!), I have decided that my jump into a fitness regime needs to start at the beginning – with a really cool blog name! Yes! It should be witty and clever, a little self-deprecating but charming.  Hmm…where to start? I like the idea of a pop culture reference/spin. Like, “The 40 year old Gym Virgin”. Problems with this one?  40 is being a little kind to myself (in the alpha-numeric system I adopted a few years ago, I am actually 40B), and “virgin” is also not exactly accurate. I did have a brief gym flirtation in my 30s and actually quite enjoyed it but found a long-term commitment unattainable. Since then I’ve been a bit of an exercise hussy – having flings with power walking (shoot me now), jogging (shoot me again and don’t miss this time) among others.  I think I’ll stick with The Mystery Mover for now.

Gym Barbie

Today’s ponderings while on the treadmill – why on earth hasn’t there ever been a gym going Barbie? How perfect would that be? I mean, Barb has been an astronaut, a doctor, a scientist, a hula-dancer and a cheerleader. How come she’s never put her hair in a pink sequined scrunchie and hit the weights? I think she would rock! Imagine all the cool accessories: tiny yoga mat and iPod, water bottle and teensie towel, not to mention the best accessory of all – Personal Trainer Ken! True, I don’t think her twisty turny waist and posable limbs would be great at yoga but Zumba  Barbie would be so cool!

Tennis Anyone?

So, I cheated a little in that I didn’t try something new at the gym this week. Unless you count the restaurant. Which actually, I do and it is deelish!! Love, love, love the smoothies and the soup. Yum. Seriously, daytime TV and homemade soup? Someone should’ve told me about this long ago. But I digress. The reason I haven’t tried out anything other than a new soup this week is that I am psychologically preparing myself for a BIG new thing next week. Wait for it….Private tennis lessons with Gary Muller! Ouch and Yikes!! I am literally scared. And also super excited J. Wish me luck! Now, to find a suitable skirt…
 

Update – went this evening and tried the steam shower after all! So there. It was awesome!

My Hips Don't Lie!

Hold up! I have big news! I do believe my winter coat is looser on me that it was a month ago. Now I’m not saying it’s loose exactly, but loosER which is pretty great nonetheless. I was suspicious of this a couple of days ago but I chalked it up to a thin sweater and wishful thinking. But now I noticed it again so I say it’s official! Can my jeans be next?! Cross my fingers.