I have always been envious and resentful at the same time of people who go to the gym. I am envious that they have the time to go. I am envious that they have the money to afford a gym membership. And that they are doing something good for their bodies. That maybe the gym actually works for them. And I am resentful because…I guess because of all the things that I’m envious of. Make sense?
Even just the word gym gets under my skin. I’ve always enjoyed being active and playing outside, but being stuck in a little room with a bunch of sweaty people has never appealed to me. Its so much nicer to come home from work and watch all the shows on Tivo that you missed the night before.
Well regardless of my feelings on the gym, I forked over a small fortune and joined one a couple months ago. It is an inner battle every day to get myself there, but since its only a 30-minute workout, I somehow muster the strength.
When I get to the gym on my first day (a little place called Curves – you may have heard of it) the”personal trainer” – I use this term VERY lightly – takes my weight and measurements and asks me what my goals are. I basically want to tone and build strength, since my hubby and I are trying to get pregnant and I know it will be easier to carry a baby if I am in shape. I am not dying to lose pounds. Only because I have a SERIOUS wardrobe that I am not ready to give up just to be 10 pounds thinner. Besides every time I join a gym hoping to lose weight, I just get aggravated. (Case in point , I have gained 2 pounds since I’ve joined Curves. Haha.)
Anyway, after explaining all that to the trainer, she looks at my measurements and body fat and tells me that I am in the DANGER ZONE and need to lose about 30 pounds to be in a SAFE ZONE! Without knowing anything about my health or background, I’m automatically put in a DANGER ZONE because of how much I weigh? I’m sorry, but since when is a size 10/12 dangerous?
I’ve never been an UNHEALTHY person. I mean I know I don’t always make the best choices when it comes to food, but my blood pressure is perfect and my doctor knows I’m healthy. I walk a lot and carry heavy wine boxes all day at work. I’ve never struggled to keep up when hiking or playing sports, and I’m fairly comfortable with my weight. My health has never been an issue.
So instead of getting mad and walking out, I took what the trainer said with a grain of salt (on some french fries) and just decided to try my best. Whether or not I lose any weight and get out of the Danger Zone.
But I will admit, it made me feel better when she brought McDonald’s to the gym and ate it in her office. Because then I could tell myself she didn’t know what she was talking about.