Tuesday, August 4, 2009

RERUNS

As previously announced, I’m re-posting the Best of SMB this week – aka – the first posts that nobody but my family read.

red-corvette

MINI MID-LIFE CRISIS (First posted 8/2/08)

What was I thinking!

After hearing those dreaded words from my physician the other day informing me of my advancing age, I hauled myself into the gym. As I explained to my doctor, I exercise regularly and have for 2 ½ years. I have to admit that my routine has become a bit stale and I haven’t felt challenged for awhile. Maybe I need to try something new. These were the thoughts that were going through my head as I walked into the gym. I am not someone who truly enjoys the process of working out. The whole “runner’s high” thing – never experienced it. I’ve run 6k and 10k runs before………..nothing. My favorite part is when it’s over. But I realize that working out is a necessary evil in my life and I trudge on. The most enjoyable experience I’ve had while exercising has been taking aerobics classes. I think this is because I enjoy laughing even if it’s at myself. So anyway, I stopped at the desk on my way into the gym and asked if they plan to add any evening classes. I was told they do not. The classes are not well attended and they have to pay the instructors. I wanted to say that maybe the classes might be better attended if they held them when average people weren’t at work. I didn’t say that though. Instead, I continued on to the locker room and started up a conversation on this topic with a complete stranger. My new friend suggested that I try the IRON BODIES class that she was on her way to right that very moment. I made my “I don’t think so face” and told her that I thought I might be better matched with a Soft, Round, Cushy Body class. “Do they have any of those?” She smiled very sweetly and told me that the class is a great all over body work-out, you don’t need to bring anything more than a towel and water and you can go at your own pace. Uh, huh. Right.

For some reason that still is a mystery to me, I followed her into the classroom where IRON BODIES was being held. The instructor, Chris, looked like a nice enough man. He welcomed me as “fresh meat” and smiled as he instructed me to be sure to work at my own pace.

The music began. We used all sorts of toys during the class. There were steps, free weights, body bars, and rubber bands. We ran, forward and backward, we lunged, we lifted and moved to the music in ways this tired body has not moved for awhile. At mid-point in the class, as I was gasping for air and gulping down water, the nice woman from the locker room asked how I was doing. As I wiped the sweat from my brow, I told her that I didn’t think we could be friends. She offered encouragement saying that I was doing great. I was not convinced.

I don’t really consider myself competitive but at some point I completely forgot those words “at your own pace”. I don’t know what happened to me. I was determined to keep up with my classmates that have been taking this class on a regular basis. I’m not saying that I was keeping up with them but I was certainly trying. I didn’t quit. There were times I had to slow down to avoid collapsing in an embarrassing heap on the floor. But eventually we arrived at my favorite part: The end. I walked out of the gym on that day proud of my accomplishment. Thoughts like,” don’t tell me I’m getting older.”, “I’ve still got it.” “I finished, didn’t I? “ all went through my head.

Driving home, it occurred to me that maybe pushing myself to the limit on the very day that my doctor tells me that my blood pressure is high and I could be at risk for stroke might not have been the most intelligent decision I’ve ever made. What was I thinking! I think I could be having my own mini mid-life crisis. My “I’ll show you” attitude would not have played well had I stroked out on the dance floor.

Around 4:30pm the next day, I was reminded of my foolish behavior the day before. I had trouble standing up from my desk. For the next two days, I was stiff and sore beyond belief. Returning to the gym was out of the question as walking was barely possible. Oh yeah, I really showed ‘em.

You know, I really thought I was above all this. I thought getting older wouldn’t bother me. And it didn’t until that day that I woke up and saw bags under my eyes that don’t disappear after I’m completely awake, lines around my mouth and excess me around the middle that doesn’t want to budge no matter how much I diet and exercise. Oh and let us not forget the words of Dr. Good News. So apparently, I’m not above it all. I wonder if there a way to approach 50 years old …………….. (someday) …………..without having at least an occasional melt-down? Is there a way to escape this desperate attempt to hang on to our youth or is it something that we should just embrace and go for it?

Will there be another IRON BODIES class in my future? You bet but this time I will go at my own pace with nothing to prove to anyone but myself. And the next time I see a middle-aged, overweight, balding man in a little red corvette, I will still smile but it will be a knowing smile saying, hey, buddy, I’m right there with you.



Hugs,
Smart Mouth Broad

18 comments:

Beth said...

Iron bodies sounds like a workout for robots. And you survived it! Whoo Hoo!

cheatymoon said...

Love this. It seems familiar. (In many ways, ha).

The Peach Tart said...

I am kicking dragging and screaming alternating with trying to bliss out into middle age.

darsden said...

beautiful, beautiful CAR.. is that yours :-))

Amy said...

What a funny post. I loved your work out and it made me feel like I was right there with you.

Thanks for coming by when Pseudo was posting for me. Come back on Friday. I am having a Round Robin...

Jan said...

I know for a fact that you've been back to the Iron Bodies class. You have no idea how I admire you for that.

Me? I'd have been the embarrassing heap in the middle of the floor.

Unknown said...

LOVE the car. Competitive, are we?

Joe Todd said...

Hi S.M.B. Back from vacation and Library lost returned books from Linda.Problem with credit card cause we tried to use it in Canada and didn't notify them ahead of time that we were going. Have spent 2 hours on phone with insurance (health) trying to get coverage "fixed" They told me they had a glitch in their computer.Post office lost our held mail (now found) Kitchen sink needs fixed as does toilet. How is your day? Love ya Joe Todd

Hit 40 said...

I know better than to buy a gym membership. You use it a few months....

Blogging is way better for our health. The typing is making some seriously strong fingers!!!

ReRe said...

I am still laughing!

And I wil smile at that guy with a comb over too!

Beth Niquette said...

Oh, how hilarious!!! (guffaw) I really enjoyed reading your blog this morning!

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I THINK of doing something like that..but..guess not. How nice it was to read your post again...even if it is older..I loved it.
Thanks for visiting me and giving an encouraging word! More tests tomorrow..but I am up for it..I think!
Hope your summer is going well. LOL at least better than mine!
Hugs...and lotsa love!
Mona

Mike said...

Well, I guess I should get a corvette now! LMFAO!!!!!!

Pseudo said...

You should list all the classes you've been to this last year. In order of preference!

Sprite's Keeper said...

I take our gym's version of Boot Camp and have been taking it for two months straight and I STILL can't keep up! The guy kicks my ass every time! But I sweat. A lot. And that is good enough for me. Keep working it girl! And you're linked! Missed having ya on the Spin Cycle, SMB!

Anonymous said...

Diamonds on one hand and the steering wheel of a little red corvette in the other hand.. zoom zoom....

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

TONY LETTS said...

Sadly, we do have to listen to the messages our bodies tell us. Mine is busy telling me that it now requires a nap every afternoon.

Stacy Uncorked said...

I think about taking classes like that...it's the thought that counts, right? ;)

Love this post! :)