N~space

So last night we went to the gym after work. Did I tell you we've joined the gym? It's about 10 minutes' drive from our house, which is about 10 minutes too far in my opinion, but it's big and relatively cheap and open until 10pm during the week and 7pm on weekends. I like it.

This was the first time I'd gone after work. Dave sometimes plays squash there during the week (which is why he talked me into joining), but I was always home too late to go along. But things are slacking off so I suggested we go, although I'd had a pretty rubbish food week with chocolate and stuff and it wasn't going to make any difference, so maybe there wasn't any point.

"That's all right," Dave said. "So you might not lose any weight, but you'll still get a bit fitter."

It was like a light going off in my head. So many times I've talked myself out of exercise because I've eaten badly or whatever and it can't possibly do any good, completely forgetting that it will still make a difference to my fitness. Which is really stupid, because I'm both overweight and unfit. So what if it doesn't make me any lighter? I'll still be healthier for it. Duh!

So anyway, we went, and I played on the treadmill and the weight machines on their lightest settings (I have zero upper body strength; my arms are like wet noodles), and the elliptical trainer, and had a great time. And then on the way home Dave said he wanted noodles for tea and I could have strangled him, because the bowls are enormous and there's no way they are healthy and what is he trying to do to me? But then I had another epiphany and instead of eating all of the noodles I ate only half which was harder than you might think, and had the rest for lunch today.

Did you see that? I only ate half of the noodles. Who knew that was possible? Everyone but me, probably.

Today I am feeling pleasantly achy in a few places and my hip is a bit twingey. It feels so good to be using my body after months of just sitting still. I can't wait to go back tomorrow morning, and next monday night, and then thursday again. If I can manage to go a couple of times during the week I reckon it could soon become a pleasant habit, which is pretty exciting for a slug like me.


Apricot

The girl on the elliptical trainer in front of me was wearing an apricot hoodie over an apricot tshirt with an apricot towel and an apricot elastic in her hair. And black yoga pants. Man, there's no way I could ever be that coordinated at the gym, or ever really. I'm just happy when all my jiggly bits are covered.