Don't Ask Y....Just Try!

   

How I feel when I think of exercise!

     I went to my local YMCA this morning to work out. I joined the facility a couple of months ago and was attending regularly up until I "tweaked" my right knee. I think it happened during a Body Pump class when I was doing a set of squats. They are serious when they say to keep your back straight and don't lean forward over your knees. I know that now!
     Since my hubby and I were taking a trip to the mountains a couple of weeks ago, I cut down my visits (as in I quit going) in order to let my knee heal enough to enjoy the mini vacation. Upon our return I continued to be lazy until my motivating event (see post #1). I arrived at the gym at 5:20 Tuesday morning. I walked on the treadmill, wearing my knee brace, and not as quick paced as I normally do.
     The rest of that day and into the next morning my knee was hurting again. I elicited the advice of friends and searched the internet for exercises that wouldn't make my knee worse. The machine that kept surfacing in my research is the elliptical. Ugh...I was afraid of that. Those things kick my butt!!
     Being that I am on my health journey and extremely determined, I arrived this morning at 5:30 ready to give it a go. I climbed onto the contraption intended to streamline my physique, or at least help me reduce my rolls, and started my workout.
     Yep....just as bad as I remembered. But I kept going. About two minutes in I was already discouraged. I looked to my left to see a gentleman of no less than 65 years of age giving it some major hustle. Good grief! I'm being shamed by the elderly. I took a deep breath, sucked it up and started pumping my legs faster.
     At minute 3 I slowed down so much that the durn machine asked if I was still there! Yeah, yeah...I'm here. I picked up the pace again and tried to distract myself with the television in the middle of the room.
    Minute 4...what is wrong with me? Now I start trying to sneak a peek at the old guy's screen to see how long he'd been at it. Surely he started mere seconds before I did. The machines are set for 30 minute sessions and count down from there. I strained my eyes to look at my neighbor's screen without turning my entire head and making it obvious. 4.36...what? He only has 4.36 minutes left out of thirty? And he is pumping his legs like he's running away from a serial killer? You have got to be kidding me!
     When I finally reached 5 minutes, I started looking for a way out. I knew I couldn't go back to the treadmill because of my knee. I started scanning the exercise area for another machine, ANY other  machine that could provide a low impact cardio option. Ah ha....I saw it. There on the side of the room sat a row of stationary bikes.
     I was determined to make it to 6 minutes. And I did it! Then I went and got a sanitizing wipe, cleaned the machine, and kissed the elliptical good bye. I headed to the bikes and noticed something even better. "Hello gorgeous" I thought to myself as I approached the bikes that have a full seat including a back...on which you sit and pedal out in front of your body. I was ecstatic!
     I know, I know...it's kinda cheating but regular bikes make my tush hurt! I have a one body part in pain at a time rule. Not really, but it makes sense now that I write it. I perched myself on that bike and started pedaling like nobody's business. I even increased the tension as I went. I completed the full 30 minute session on my new found friend and felt accomplished.
     See, here's the thing, at this point in my health journey it is important to build habits. It is less about the intensity of my workout but more about getting up each morning (did I mention it's at 5:00 am) and just going. Sometimes the most difficult part is showing up. I will tackle the elliptical again. Every time I go I will start with that machine and who knows, maybe I'll make it to 7 minutes by the end of this month. Miracles do happen.