Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Day 1 of "7 Days of Fitness and Fun"

Or, "Fear Factor: The Gym Edition"

(Dedicated to MizFit and SeaBreeze, my MizFit's Bumbling Band motivational buddy. Yes, I did it!)

Stunt 1: Presenting the Coupon
Last night after work, I marched myself next door to Gold's Gym (yes, it's literally next door to my workplace) and presented the coupon for my FREE "7 Days of Fitness and Fun."

Gold's Gym is quite the amazing place. It's intense. And not a little intimidating. There are 3 studios: cardio, spin, and pilates/yoga. There are large, complicated, scary-looking machines. There are weights. There are mirrors. There are large-screen TVs with suggestive music videos. And there are serious fitness people there.

The front desk staff kindly recommended redeeming said coupon on the first day I wanted to work out. I told them that yes, tomorrow would be better, and did I need to schedule an appointment or anything? Nope, just c'mon in. Great!

So I prepared my kit and (thanks to tuning into Bumbling Band commentary on I-forget-which-thread) included a hand towel for wiping down equipment. I forgot flip-flops for the shower, so popped into the drugstore on the way into work. Salubriously, the last pair of summer flip-flops were in MY size. Why do coincidences often feel so contrived?

At lunchtime today, I once again marched over and presented coupon. Got a tour from a nice staff member named Joey. The trial offer included a personal trainer session, so I met one of their trainers (Dave) and have a session scheduled for Friday morning. He seemed nice, a fellow coastal resident like myself. I didn't have a lot of questions yet, but I'm sure I'll get some assembled by Friday. It sounded like he helps people figure out a good program for them, and he's one that specializes in basic newbie training programs, so I'm hopeful it will go well. I'm pretty sure they don't want to scare anyone away.

So far, so good. No one asked where I summered or told me that I could not order the duck. (References from one of my all-time favorite movies, L.A. Story, if you didn't recognize them.)

Stunt 2: The Workout
On to the locker room. Not crowded. No mean girls from Jr. High School up in there. The coast was clear. And yeay, they had some coin-locks! I didn't need to worry about anyone swiping my ever-so-fashionable work clothes. (*guffaw*) I changed and headed onto the floor.

Ohhhhh my gahd. Which of these scary-looking machines could I figure out to do a quick workout? Ah, some recumbent bikes. (I did a long run this morning, so I wasn't in the mood for anything too intense yet, and tomorrow is my strength day.) I hopped on and figured out how to get a 30 minute fat-burning workout started. Nice! I pedaled and pedaled. I liked the heart rate feedback. I think I might have done something wrong, because it said it would increase resistance to help me make my target heart rate, and I felt almost no resistance at all. I felt like I was going to take flight at times...probably would have if the pedals had been attached to rotors. Oh well, I'll ask about that on Friday, I guess.

Stunt 3: Showering in The Locker Room.
I'll save you the TMI body anxiety issue details. It was a little more crowded. And why did the towel hangers get placed so far from the shower stall? Ack! But everyone seemed to be mostly interested in their own business or in Martha and her guest gilding acorns on TV. So, with the chant "I am a growna-- woman...I am a growna-- woman" pounding in my brain, I accomplished the final stunt.

I emerged from the gym (after finding the "Out" turnstile)...heart still galumphing a bit, but standing a little taller, and about 160 calories lighter.

More later....

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

good god I love you.
this post.
that you went.
that you shared.
your humor.
LA STORY.

the whole proverbial nine, Woman.

THANK YOU!

can not wait for more.

Miz, who adores her some SJP and also steve martins books. you?

Anonymous said...

good god I love you.
this post.
that you went.
the bumbling band shout out.
that you shared it all.
your humor.
LA STORY.

the whole proverbial nine, Woman.

THANK YOU!

can not wait for more.

Miz, who adores her some SJP and also steve martins books. you?

Anonymous said...

ooooops.

please to delete :)

gizmogirl said...

LOL I can't imagine a woman not relating to this! I know I remember my first time in a gym very similiarly. Great post!!

Juice said...

Great new photo, great weekly wrap up and CONGRATS on walking into the gym! Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your 7 days. Way to go!!!!

Anonymous said...

I saw your comment on MizFit and could totally relate. I just joined the gym and meet with the physical trainer in a hour for my second free consultation. It took me forever to get back in there, but I love it. I’ve yet to attempt the shower stunt, but I live real close so I just drive home. Lol!“I’m a grown woman”

I’m constantly hiding behind my headphones to avoid conversations, and use “focus” as my excuse. They’re probably a lot of people there that share the same goals I do, who would be nice to meet. Ok, I’ll perform a stunt and start at least smiling and making eye contact. Thanks for sharing and encouraging me at the gym.

SeaBreeze said...

As for stunt #1 - congrats on getting out there and getting it done

Stunt #2 - Gym equipment can be scary at first. I am always showing my mom a new piece she could use and what its benefits are

Stunt #3 - The gym and I have an understanding that I will only shower there if I have gone for a gym. Otherwise, it's a quick drive from home where I can shower in my own space.

For your personal training session you may want to get a "basic plan" idea from the training and a run down of the benefits of each of the machines. That will make them less intimidating and won't commit you to more sessions.

I have more comments for you but I am over my head until the 8th. I'll touch base more later.

Did you do "Body Attack"?

Pubsgal said...

Thanks, everybody! This was a fun blog entry to write.

Fitness Surfer, that's a great point. I've found myself doing the same thing, and feeling terribly shy. Everyone there probably has their own issues they're dealing with and body parts that they feel uncomfortable about.

SeaBreeze: YES! I did the "Body Attack" class last night. I'll write more soon, but the short version: I liked it! I thought I'd be too "goodtired" for the rest of the evening, but I wasn't. Amazing! It was nice, too, after sitting at the desk all day.