Going Back to….
Yes….for the first time in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG ass time (must be over a year or so!!), I finally made use of my membership and actually WENT to the gym. Let me tell you, I found many excuses NOT to go today but had to force myself. I decided last night that I really need to use my membership or just cut it short for once and for all. Because I get a really good rate (student rate even though I am no longer a student), it is REALLY hard for me to want cut my membership, but is it really worth it anyways if I don’t go? That is extra money I don’t need to waste, cheap rates or not!
A few weeks ago, the new Superstore location opened up very close to my studio. Probably under 10 minutes away in a nice remote area…I was happy to hear that my gym opened up in there too which meant there could NOT be an excuse for me not to go. The one up in Country Hills is my frequent area but I always complain that I have to drive 15 mins TO and 15 mins out just to work out for like, 30 mins…and then give myself extra time-so really, a short workout ends up being close to an hour and 15 mins. Yeah I know…waa waa waaa said the little violin on my shoulder.
But now…with the studio being so close, there is absolutely no possible excuse to go…today I even went to teach dressed in my gym clothes (lulu lemon stuff..not that bad at all) so that I would be motivated to actually GO to the gym. After the students were done and finally left, I decided that I really had to clean out my 2 very large fish tanks-with all the algae growing in, I know it had to be done..something I have put off for a long time. I managed to get that done in an hour but my back sure was hurting a lot. It really throws off my back to be lifting heavy gallons of water and then bending over to clean inside the bowl-my back is quite sensitive…and it was really stiff by the time the hour was done.
Should I really go? I mean…I got a workout already with the fish bowls…but I said to myself GET GOING!!! So I did…I drove up to the gym and decided to check out the new location. I was happy to find parking this time around and to find the gym itself upstairs. What I was surprised at was how SMALL this gym was. Usually they all have the same format since they are in all of the Superstore’s…but this one is pretty tiny in comparison to the Country Hills one-not sure why because the store itself is massive!!! There were only 4 ellipticall trainers, 6 recumbent bikes and maybe 7 treadmills…all cramped up to the front of the main entrance facing the windows that overlook all the food in the store. So you could be working out and watching whomever left the gym make their way around the store and even bust them in the junk food aisle! lol
The back area had a small circuit section and a large aerobic room…and the locker rooms. I didn’t really like the feel of the place to be honest-sure it has all the equipment, but I am concerned what will happen when you get a busy night with all the ladies showing up…you will probably have to wait in line to use equipment and THAT sucks! Luckily there were about 8 ladies around on different pieces of machinery so I didn’t have to fuss. I brought along my MP3 player and listened to INXS music while I walked on the treadmill for 7 minutes to warm up. I stretched a bit and then went on the elliptical for about 14 minutes. I made sure to push hard but not too much because I didn’t want to hurt my back even more.
The interesting thing is that my lower back wasn’t stiff while I was on the equipment-but after some time, I could feel the inside of my bones get sore…not the muscles, but the actual hip bones-that is when I knew to stop which was fine. So after 21 minutes of cardio, I stretched out and called it a day. Not bad for my first visit back to the gym….and I technically walked a km so that is ok too!!
The funny thing is that after I was done I was quite happy that I made the committment, BUT I felt reaaaaaaaaaaaally tired afterwards and feel tired now…tired and sore in my upper back and neck muscles. I didn’t use those too much but some nerves must be shocked that they got some use. I guess it shows that I didn’t have very much stamina today or energy, but the point is..I DID it.
At least I can fluctuate around gyms to go at the locations I like better but for now, I will use the one by my studio for the sake of it being closer…although I prefer the other location (much closer to the Yamaha studio where I work) for it’s size and privacy. I am going to try hitting the gym 2-3 times a week for strict cardio purposes and maybe some weights so this way I can at LEAST make use of my membership and not waste anymore money!!
I guess it all depends on how I will feel…tomorrow!!!
