Monday, December 5, 2011

Never Listen to Your Brain

So about three months ago I started working out. Yes, applause would be appropriate here. Mostly for the fact that it has been three months and I am *still* working out. But anyway, I'm getting side tracked by how proud we should all be of me. Back to the working out thing. Every time I was at the gym, on my way to the bikes I would see this class through the big windows of the...class room...??....what would you call that room? And every time I saw these super fit people doing these super hard things, I thought to myself, No thank you, not a fan of self-torture (you probably sense where this is headed).

Well one day I ran into a friend who I hadn't seen in years as we were walking up to the front doors of the gym. We got to talking and then she was like, "You should take this class with me in the class room (Ha. She didn't really say the class room part)" And I was like, "No thank you, ma'am. I've seen y'all in there and it looks awful." She laughed and we parted ways and I jumped onto the tread mill. And then my brain took over (unasked for, I might add) and was like, "You've been working out for 3 months now, Kasie. You should totally challenge yourself. You can handle it." I sighed at my brain for being so nosy and so unhelpful and walked over to the line (yes, there was a line) waiting for the previous class to get out.

My friend smiled and said, "You changed your mind?" And I said, "I don't know. I need to be talked into it." She laughed and said, "Okay, so you may cry a little. And tomorrow you won't be able to lower yourself to the toilet. But it's a great class!" My mouth fell open. "I said talked into it! Not out of it." That's when the lady in front of us turned around and she said, "If I can do it, you can do it."

Now, if this had been anyone else in the class, it wouldn't have swayed me. The entire class looks like they could be on the cover of We Are Super Fit and You Should Be Extremely Jealous Magazine. But this lady was at least 30 years my senior. Granted, she, too, could be on the cover of that magazine, but still. My brain said, "Seriously, Kasie? If she can do it, you can too."

So I did it. It was very hard. Line Lady could totally do it. I could totally not. I ended the class on my back staring at the ceiling, wondering if this was what slow death felt like. This was the first class. I've been going for about a month now. One week I looked ahead of me and was like, oh look, that girl is doing just as bad as I am. Substituting the hard moves for the modified ones and everything. I felt a little better. Later, she turned around......she was seven months pregnant.

Lesson? When going to the gym, avoid eye contact. If you see friends pretend you don't know them. And never listen to your brain. (At least not when you're at the gym.) That is my maddeningly unhelpful advice.

10 comments:

  1. LOL! No, I'm not laughing at your pain. Just your take on it. And I AM applauding you. From the sidelines, where I will stay, eating ice cream and sipping martinis (though rarely at the same time). *grin*

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  2. I love taking the classes! And I love even more the intense muscle pain the day after. No joke. So...which class did you take??

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  3. Linda, yes, stay there. It's safer. :)

    Julie, you would probably fit right into this class. :) It's a Sculpting class. But I like to call it the Chiseling class because it feels like someone has taken a hammer and chisel to me the next day. :)

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  4. Exactly why I avoid gyms and especially classes. The humiliation possibilities are too great. I'll stick with running down the street, looking like an out-of-control toddler. The neighborhood needs some good entertainment.

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  5. My parents are watching a game-show-thing, and just as I read your first sentence...they began cheering and applauding! Just sayin'.

    Anyway, funny post. I'll remember your maddeningly unhelpful advice if I ever decide to join a gym. :P

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  6. When I try to listen to my brain, my body rebels. For example, I was about to go to a more difficult class at the gym this morning because I got talked into it by a 17-yr-old at church (this should have been a HUGE warning). I'm like, sure, why not go try a class with someone half my age with twice my energy. Then this morning I woke up with a horrible cough, no voice, and a sore throat. Saved my body. Either that or my illness is completely psychosomatic.

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  7. This is why I work out at home by myself, but keep going eventually you'll be able to do it all.

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  8. Ruth, I enjoyed picturing you look like an out of control toddler. That was an amusing thought. :)

    Matthew, that is so funny. I like that. Number one because someone cheering right as you read about applauding is pretty cool. Number two because your parents cheer and applaud at game shows. I find that both awesome and funny.

    Kimberly, Yes, it is funny thinking about me looking like an idiot. I often laugh at that as well. :)

    Candi, first, love your new pic. Second, I think your body just saved you some serious pain. Well done, Candi's body.

    Patti, Miss Soccer Queen, you could probably breeze through this class. ;) Thanks for the encouragement.

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  9. I'm trying to make myself go back to the gym. They have some crazy classes at mine as well. I'm scared!! You might have talked me into going. Just a little bit...

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