Tuesday, January 3, 2012

It ain't much, but it's MINE!

"Babe, I'm taking a spinning class tomorrow with Mindy." I explained to my husband.

He looked at me doubtfully, "Let me help you out with that. It's a SPIN class. Not a spinning class. You don't want to embarrass yourself on the first day."

The next morning I woke up at 4:45 to make it to my 6:00 class. In hind sight I ask myself...why?! I had been tossing through a weird Christmas Eve-like sleep pattern. I kept waking up wondering if it was time to go to the gym, but hoping it wasn't.

I heard someone post on facebook one time, "The joys of the gym in January." Meaning, when will all these new year resolutioners get off my elliptical? I just knew everyone would take one look at me and know I was one of those people who hadn't been to the gym in ages. Or years. Or decades. Whatever.

I walked in and was surprised to smell it. It smells exactly how I remember. Exactly! Smoothies, sweat, clean towels and shampoo steam.

Embarrassing private thought: "Where in the heck are the elevators? These stairs are making me winded!"

After wandering around, trying to look busy and getting lost twice because of wall to wall mirror confusion, I finally met my friend. She kindly gave me the lowdown on how to get set up for a spin class.

The perky instructor had kind eyes, THANK GOODNESS. She matter of factly looked me up and down and told me my goal was just to make it to the end of the class. Ouch. But, the truth.

The first work out in over a year is a brick in the throat and fire in the lungs. How can two previously obedient and well functioning organs suddenly turn on me and refuse to give me air?
Gratefully, I have the wisdom of many a first work-out to know that the first day is death and it will get better.

Perky instructor was right. I prayed my way through those 55 minutes. I didn't want to fall of that bike or worse...barf.

I have a lot of wishy- washy wimp feelings about the gym. I doubt my determination to get up early. How I hate any hour before 8 am. I defeat myself before I even get started, sometimes.
I worry the health- nut skinny thigh girls will smell the cookie dough seeping from my pores.
I compare, I compare, I compare.

Here's the deal though: Take care of your body, it's the only place you have to live. Be grateful for the mind-blowing creation it is. Don't curse it for the way it varies from someone else's. Be generous to it.

I love to study old people. Really old people. People who poop in a pan in their beds and have had bed head for years. Do you think they'd turn down my strong body because last year's jeans are too tight? Do you think they'd turn their noses up at riding a wave into shore, or a climb to the summit? Heck, do you think they'd refuse to carry a sleeping baby with my arms because they have a little pudge? Nope, they'd relish five more minutes with a body that could carry them anywhere.

I think it pains God when I spend so much time sad about my body. What a punk I am! Get over it sister! Use it. Use it up. It doesn't look like it did when I was 17, but it is forgiving and eager to improve when I treat it right.

Work it. Enjoy it. Love it.

16 comments:

Mary said...

VERY very true Angie! I'm so grateful for my body tonight. Thanks!

Chanda said...

LOVE this. You brilliant, beautiful girl- lucky me to have read this post.
Thank you,
cle

Kacey Nielsen said...

taking this body of mine on a half marathon this saturday. thanks for the extra boost of confidence! Me and this long body of mine can do it!

Katy said...

I hate spin. And those early morning classes are a beast! But I'm there, 5:15 on tues. and thurs., and I'm always glad I went, but not until the ride home.

Glad you'll be reading right along with me:)

Cindy said...

Hi Angie!! You took the words straight out of my mouth. I think I might restart my spinning or spin class. ;) But first I'll go to Zumba.

Cindy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Apryl said...

You're a rock star! No other words for it. I heard about this lady who can do yoga at 90 and I want that to be me. Keep going! Mindy is a great, great workout buddy!

"M" Clan said...

YOU GO GIRL!! I seriously ALMOST went to the gym to check it out yesterday... and chickened out! Today, today I will get my butt over there and begin... maybe, if there is time! :P You are inspiring xoxo

Mindy B said...

I'm soooooo glad you came to SPIN class with me! I love having workout buddies. And I love the old people perspective... they would trade with us in a heartbeat!

Lilia Todd said...

When I go to the gym I pretend that all of those tight bodies are staring at me because I am grotesquely ripped and not flabby and clumsy.

Michelle said...

Very well said, Angie! And I can TOTALLY relate... to ALL of it! Loathing any hour before 8am, comparing myself endlessly with all those skinny-minnies, and then reminding myself how blessed I am to have the body that I do! I finally started working out in June after almost SIX years of REALLY working out (for more than two weeks in a row). It took me a couple of months to even work up the courage to go to any class besides pilates, and I almost puked in a step class (by the way, step was so much more fun when I was a teenager, but I can't figure out why)!
At any rate, GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

Kimmie said...

Thank you very much for this post Angie! I too focus on the bad chunky me instead of the blessed wonderful body God has given me.

i said...

I love how you tell it like it is. It feels great(after) to do hard things huh?!?

Jessica said...

Thanks for the inspiration :)

mimilove forever said...

ah I was exhausted just reading the bit where you took the stairs...I'll stick to hanging the ironing off the excercise bike for a bit!
Lovely to hear from you lovely lady, hope you and the gang are having a fabulous...and fit...new year! xx

Christene said...

Such a timely message. I don't think a day goes by that we don't need this reminder. Thank you for making it easy to hear and internalize. I really love what you're doing here. Hugs!