Tag Archives: exercise

by

SOLC Day 7: Exercise and Aging

March 2024 SOLC–Day 7
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

I started an exercise class this week. I just walked right in, more or less ready to go. Ok, to be honest, I spent a couple of weeks talking and thinking about it first…or maybe a year or so… At any rate, I got there a bit early on Tuesday night so that I could introduce myself to the instructor and let him know I had no idea what I was doing. He was friendly and gave me a cursory overview of the class and a few tips. 

“Let me know if you need some modifications. Tonight is mostly weights, so the typical modification is less weight. Thursday night is more of a cardio Boot Camp(Wait! What!?! ) so there might be some more things to adapt then.”

I nodded, barely listening anymore, while seriously reconsidering my plan to go to the Thursday class. (Boot camp! I have NEVER aspired to participate in anything called Boot Camp! )

But let me fill you in. I’m taking this particular class for several reasons: 

One, I’m getting older. I know this isn’t a news flash, but it’s starting to sink in. Last year, I listened to all of Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s amazing podcast, “Wiser than Me”, in which she interviews famous older women about their lives and their ideas about aging. (It’s absolutely fabulous, by the way, and I highly recommend that you check it out!) From the women who were feeling good about being older, there was definitely a theme about the benefits of being fit and strong heading into your golden years. 

Two, I already have noticed that I don’t feel as strong as I used to. I’ve also read about the importance of weight bearing exercise for menopausal women. I’ve managed to  ignore both of these things for a long, long time. It feels like the right time to make a change. Ok, if I’m being honest, and more accurate, it feels more like now or never.

Finally, I haven’t taken a class in ages. I (sort of) like the idea of trying something new, and this particular class works with my schedule. Besides, it’s March, and I can probably find a slice in it somewhere, right? (Psst–Hey, look! I did!)

On the journey to this new exercise thing, I’ve discovered that there are some clear benefits to aging. (Though when I just said that to my husband, he scoffed. Loudly. Or at least I think that’s the appropriate word for the sound he made. Maybe it was a snort?) But truly, the wonderful thing about aging is that I don’t really give a hoot about a lot of the exercise trappings. I just want to do it. I’m not embarrassed to modify if I need to. I no longer have the need to try to keep up with the bounciest, most energetic person in the room. I am totally in it for myself and for the most part, couldn’t care less what anyone else thinks. I did give a few minutes of thought to my wardrobe, but mostly for the comfort factor. There is no longer a need to look good in the gym either. Coordinated outfits? Ha! I wore old leggings (I’ll just ignore that small hole.) and  a souvenir T-shirt from a long ago 5K. It worked. 

So class one is now officially in the books.

On Wednesday morning my coworker asked, “How did your class go last night?”

My response? 

“I didn’t tip over, and I didn’t wet myself. I count that as a win!” 

Based on her facial expression and the fact that she’s a very fit 29, I’m not sure she appreciated the true scale of the victory, but I sure did.

Now it’s time to decide whether or not to head to Boot Camp on Thursday. 

by

SOLC Day 2: Making a Change

SOLC Day 2:

March 2024 SOLC–Day 2
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

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!