I'm A Believer...

Okay, I get it. I’m a believer. I’m all in. After a couple of months of using the fitness centre in anonymity, I totally get the joy of group classes. The teachers inspire and work me harder than I work myself. I feel FANTASTIC afterwards and it’s social. And after you do one, you are ready for others. After 3 spin classes I feel completely ready to try zumba, yoga, hot yoga and even something called “Group Power”, whatever the heck that is. Helps to have a friend to do it with (shout out to Heather!) but it is a revelation… I will report back with my findings!

Spinners

How many times do you have to go to spinning class before you are officially a “spinner”? Because I have gone twice and I feel that qualifies. I love spinning. Seriously, what the heck? But I love everything about it. The music is great (good job Richard), the workout is awesome, the lights are dim (always a good call) and I like the people. Huh. Total surprise. I have to miss the class next week and I am already stressing about it. I’m going to try spinning with a different teacher on Monday. A little nervous because it’s not an “easy rider” class but I’m going for it.

Is It Summer Yet?

Guess what I spotted at the gym today? The pool is open! Yahoo! To clarify, it’s not actually open for swimming (and it’s freezing out for some wacked reason), but it is open for cleaning and does it ever look great! Blue and sparkling, the thought of it kept me going during my workout because if there’s one thing I associate with sparkling blue water it is bathing suits. Yikes. Well, I also associate fruity drinks with umbrellas served by pool boys but that’s another story.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Not that my kids are monkeys…they just act like them sometimes! All this gym going has had a great effect on my kids. They are becoming much more focused on their own activity levels.  Now my guys are super active already – they play hockey, rugby, baseball and always use wheels of some sort (bike, scooter, skateboard or rollerblades) to school and back. But they have told me they’re jealous I get to use all the gym equipment – they are dying to be old enough to use the treadmill and elliptical!  - and they’ve actually started a jogging program on their own.  Given that they have also inherited my sweet tooth and chip addiction, I’m so proud of them!

Ouch!

Wow, as good as spinning felt while I was doing it, I can tell you that my legs and other regions directly north of my legs are S-O-R-E today! I’m glad I have a week to recoup before trying it again. Another friend of mine who belongs to the ORC (a skinny, super fit friend by the way) wants me to go with her to her 6:15 Spin class. Yah, you can imagine my reaction to that one. I think that one is called "Race Day". Once I stop laughing, I will tell her to get back to me in a month or so!

Spin Me Right Round...

I did it! I tried something totally new! Today I went with a friend to my very first spinning class! I felt those same butterflies that I remember from my first day at the gym – good, right? Not sure what I was expecting but certainly visions of falling off the bike passed through my head as did visions of the rest of the class pointing and laughing at me. But guess what? It was so fun! I went to “Easy Rider” lead by Richard. Seriously, if this was Easy Riding, I can only imagine what Road Rage is like. Ouch. Richard was great. He lead us through a great workout, going on virtual flat roads, mountains and peaks. So may times I was convinced I couldn’t go any further but his quick intervals and great music (with the exception of Nickleback – seriously, Richard), kept me going! And you know what? I clapped when it was over and can’t wait to go back next week. Woo hoo! Oh, did I mention there are potential new shoes involved? Spin shoes – who knew? Any excuse for new shoes is great news for me!

In a Rut

Now you know I love my treadmill. And you know I love my Criminal Minds. But I admit it, I’m in a rut. I need a push to get cracking and try something new. I’m sending out an SOS to all my gym friends. I want to shadow them to whatever class they do to try and get my mojo back. 

Update: Was forced to break out of my treadmill rut today because my headphones were broken. I did try to watch Criminal Minds for a bit without the sound (which you’d think would be easy given Shamar Moore’s unique pleasing to the eye qualities) but it actually got boring pretty fast. So, I ended up doing both the stationary bike and the elliptical and it felt good. Great to break up the routine for a change.

It's Not You, It's Me

OMG. I don’t believe it but despite not being a pit-runner, someone did the old wave and move to ME today! They did stop and use the bike for a few minutes before returning to a different treadmill but still highly suspicious. I did a surreptitious check and didn’t detect anything amiss but still cut my run short to head to the showers!! Bring on the cracker towels!

It's the Pits

So I’m getting pretty good on my trusty treadmill. I actually look forward to going to the gym, plugging in my headphones and working on a sweat while watching Criminal Minds (which, by the way, is awesomely on basically all day). I go at a quick pace (getting faster all the time) and a steep incline. It feels great. But there is a downside: Picking a treadmill is fraught with peril. For instance, I have a favourite treadmill. It is not directly in front of the court so there is no glare on the monitor, it is close to the sanitizing spray and wipes and sort of tucked away a bit from the core of the fitness centre. I love it. But…what to do if someone is on my treadmill or worse, there is someone on the one beside it who looks less than "fresh"? Now I know that not everyone showers BEFORE coming to the gym, I totally get that. But seriously, if you’ve been eating raw onions or curry, please Febreeze yourself before we get in close contact. Just today I made the mistake of using my fave treadmill even though there was a very sweaty young man on the one beside me. I should’ve waited and watched for a minute because what I didn’t know is that he was a pit-runner! Yes, the kind of person who when they hit their stride they lock their hands behind their head and put on the heat while giving their neighbours a full blast of pit perfume. Not good. I didn’t know what to do exactly. Would it be unforgivably rude to simply get off and move to another treadmill? After all, other than being a pit runner, the young man seemed like a lovely sort and I wouldn’t want to offend him. Forget the treadmill and find an elliptical machine with better air quality? But then I would miss Criminal Minds…hmmmm.   Finally, I took the chicken route out and pretended I saw someone I knew across the room. I did a wave, and motioned I would come talk to them. I ducked out, got a drink and returned to fresh treadmill! Victory!!

Note to Self #4

There is a reason why the lockers directly in front of the locker room door are always available, even during “peak” periods. I inadvertently flashed the boys’ tennis team today. Sorry guys.

Note to Self #3

When you go to the gym already in your workout clothes and plan to shower and change before going out in public, it is best to remember to pack a bra. Whoops. My choice was either put the sweaty but sturdy sports bra back on (gross) or hang loose as they say. I went for the loose option and crossed my arms for the next couple of hours until I got home to change. I think I made the wrong choice.

Baby Got Back!

A sore back that is. Ouch!! I am in so much pain I can barely bend over to get my boots on. The gym just cannot happen for me for a couple of days. I am actually sad. Seriously, 6 weeks ago I would have been happy to have an excuse not to go but now I feel like a sloth. I really need to get my fitness mojo back so this is terrible timing. I might try the treadmill a bit and see how that goes. But I’ll have to concentrate – don’t want to fall off (again) and make it worse. Wish me luck!

Update: I survived! Back still sore but more spring in my step for sure.