SOLC Day 2:
March 2024 SOLC–Day 2
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This was the week. I was determined to make a change, and tonight was the night to put it all into action. I’d already done my legwork earlier in the week. I’d checked out the most local branch of the Y, adding my name to my husband’s membership. I’d scoured the class offerings and settled on a class that began at 5:30. That would allow me time to get home, change and get to the gym. I’d even peeked in on the class one night. To be honest, it looked…well… not fun. It involved multiple sets of colored weights, floor mats, and gym clothes. And people who looked like they knew what they were doing. I was pretty sure that sweat and discomfort were waiting in the wings.
Still, I was determined. During the school day, I told multiple people that I was going to start a new exercise class tonight. I hoped stating this out loud might stiffen my resolve.
At the end of the day, I tidied up, dropped a co-worker off at the car-dealer (after repeating to him, “Yup, I’m going to start a class at the gym tonight!”) and headed home.
Coming in the door, I announced to my husband.
“I’m going tonight. I do not really want to do this, but I am going to.” (Despite my encouragement, earlier in the week, my husband had decided he was not interested in sharing this particular experience with me. Go figure.)
“Well, you know, we can go to the other Y and swim together on Friday and Monday nights,” he suggested, looking at his phone. “There are also some other classes there. There’s some Yoga and a Pilates class.”
“I know,” I said, “I looked. But I want absolutely nothing to do with anything that has ‘an infusion of ab chiseling.’ That sounds horrid! I might swim some, but I really want to do something with weights, too. Well, not “want”, but you know…”
He laughed and I headed upstairs to find the gym clothes that I’d neglected to organize earlier.
A few minutes later, I was scrounging through my clothes. What should I wear? Sweatpants? Leggings?
“Hey, Molly!” Kurt’s voice had an odd note in it.
“What?”
No answer.
“What?” I yelled again, glancing at my watch. Where had the time gone? I was going to be late if I didn’t hurry up. I definitely needed some extra time before the class began to confess my ignorance and out-of-shapedness and throw myself on the mercy of the instructor.
I grabbed some sweatpants and moved out into the hallway, yelling downstairs again.
“Kurt, did you say something?”
“Well, I don’t know if this is good news or bad news.”
“What?” I asked, yet again as he appeared in the hallway, holding his phone.
“It says here that the Y is closed.”
I froze.
“Really?” I asked, maybe in a hopeful tone. “Why?”
“I got an update, and it says there’s a power outage.”
I didn’t even have to think for a second.
“Oh. No doubt about it! That is most definitely good news!” I tossed my sweatpants back toward my closet, and practically skipped down the stairs. Color me Off. The. Hook! This was like a free pass–almost as good as a snow day–like finding two hours of free time!
A few minutes later, I was happily ensconced in my chair. I looked over at Kurt.
“You know I was going to go, right? Even though I really didn’t want to.”
He nodded.
“That means I get credit for all the good intentions, right?”
He nodded again.
Smart man.
So, I guess next week will have to be the week. Stay tuned!
Nix the comfort zone 
Smart man indeed. The Universe decided for you that day. When you finally do make it, I hope you love it!
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I’m hopeful it will feel “good” once I get over the awkward newness of it all.
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Love the stiffened resolve, as well as the (non)appreciation for ab-infused classes. And yes, you get full credit for intention. Many times the build-up to a circuit class is worse than the class. Maybe the Y will keep power next time you’re ready to go.
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Whoa! It’s like there’s even a hidden language I don’t know! You knew it was a circuit class and I didn’t even say that. Clearly you are no beginner, and I need to investigate further. I do have every intention of going next week. (I’m not exaggerating when I say that it really helps to know that I can probably get a slice out of it as well!)
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That last comment you made reminds me of what happened when I did the student slice challenge. Kids started taking chances and doing things that they didn’t think they could do, trying out new things, just because they knew it would give them a good topic for a slice, even (or especially) if it didn’t work out so well. That’s another power of writing, I guess.
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This totally happens to me as well. I find myself considering trying different things in March because they just might become fodder for a slice.
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Oh my gosh, I could feel your joy at tossing those sweat pants back into the room and bouncing down the stairs. I was reluctant to begin the Body Pump class at our Y (at 5:30 also), but I LOVE it, so I hope you embrace the challenge and go. 🙂
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I plan to give it a try on Tuesday. I recently went to an exercise class with a friend at her gym and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. So, there’s hope I guess!
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I can hear your voice all over this piece, your resolve, your relief, all of it. Yes, you can get more slices out of this, for sure. I have a hard time committing to any exercise after school, but I always feel better if I make myself do it.
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I’m much more of a morning person but just can’t carve out time for exercising then.
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LOL! It’s the people who know what they’re doing that make going to the gym demoralizing. For years I got up at 5:00 am and went to the gym. Sometimes I’d see students who were shocked to see me. I quit the gym when covid hit and haven’t been back, but I work out every day for at least 30 minutes. I avoid abs most of the time but need them most.
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Abs work outs are the WORST! I’m impressed by your 30 minute a day commitment. I’m hoping for 3 days a week right now.
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I love this, Molly! I was right there with you stuck with all of your decisions. My brain was in the turmoil- leggings or sweatpants? and then I was shocked to hear the gym was closed. It was a great contrast and a perfect ending. Yes you get the credit!
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I’m glad I’ve got the credit, but I still have to make that critical decision–leggings or sweats? Right now the plan is to go on Tuesday. We’ll see how that goes.
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Perfect Slice! You took me on that ride with you, right up to the gleeful tossing of the sweats and the acknowledgement that intent can, indeed, be a win, too!
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I was so happy not to go and had a lovely and productive evening at home! A definite win, but now I have to gear myself up again to start next week. Sigh.
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hahaha! Oh, I love this. I have recently joined a gym (more on that in my blog this month) and I literally *never* want to go. And then I go & I feel really good afterwards. And then my muscles hurt for a day or two. And then we repeat the process. I have a feeling this Y thing may come up in your blog again this month.
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I miss feeling strong and am hoping to at least partially regain that feeling. I am resigned to feeling awkward and unhappy along the way! lol
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Hahahaha! This is so relatable. Sometimes we get the text message that the pool is closed and we both not-so-secretly rejoice. Let’s support each other with good intentions for exercise. (But also support rejoicing when you’re let off the hook by the universe.)
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It definitely felt like the universe was on my side this time! lol
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I so empathize with you! I have a gym membership, but I couldn’t go for a awhile because of a back problem. Now I’m better and could go, but I just haven’t. I THINK about going…
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Well, thinking about it is the first step right? Don’t they say that people who envision themselves doing something, tend to do it better…eventually? Or did I make that up? Good luck restarting your habit!
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So great! You had me laughing all the way through. Sometimes all a girl needs is a power outage!
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It really was almost as good as a snow day!
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Once you figure it out maybe you can convince me to head to the gym. I’m all in for walking, hiking, snowshoeing…but the gym and weights… I’m just not there — yet.
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I love the honesty in this post! I kept nodding along…feeling like you could have been talking about me. Love the humor at the end!
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