Curves

Just because I haven't been to Curves more than three times since the beginning of the year, doesn't mean it isn't a great place. I want to go back, of course, but since I sprained my ankle, I am afraid that I will hurt it again. I know that there are lots of machines that don't even use the ankle, and the ones that do use it probably won't hurt it, but I'm worried. It's probably just an excuse.

I like Curves because it isn't hard but it is effective. Within a couple of weeks, I feel stronger in my thighs and arms, in particular. I lost inches immediately.

My Curves now consists of 15 (I think) machines that are designed for circuit training. They are in a circle with pads for down time in between them. You spend 30 seconds on each machine and go around twice. Even if you hate a machine (like the ab machine that makes me feel like I'm going to fall off), you only have to use it for 30 seconds.

The people at Curves are great. The staff is very friendly and helpful but not at all pushy. When they measure you, they are really supportive. "Oh that's good to gain in the calf and the arm. That's muscle!" "It's normal to gain a little weight to begin with, that's muscle!" "Well at least you feel better, don't you? Weight isn't important!"

The other clients are diverse and mostly friendly or at least indifferent. Sometimes I think snotty thoughts about some of them --- the group of ladies who talk about what dresses they are going to buy more than they exercise, the lady who works out like a demon & who frantically chews gum that Ellen and think is laced with cocaine. ("Did you bring enough for everyone, young lady?") Mostly I look at the older women, the younger women & the middle aged women; the women who have had strokes and the women who are recovering from other injuries; women who are a little flabby and women who are obese; and I think wow. Isn't this great?

I really do want to go regularly. OK, starting tomorrow (Tuesday) I will go regularly. This week I will go on Tuesday and Thursday and Friday. Starting next week I will go Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Really. I am not kidding.

The New Beginning

Weight: 185

Food today: Breakfast: peanut butter toast (2 pieces), coffee

Lunch: tomato, cucumber and cheddar sandwich, wheat bread, mayo

Water: three servings so far.

Every journal I have started for the past 30 years has begun, "this time I am really going to lose weight." I'm not going to start this one that way. Maybe that will help.

I am hoping that by keeping track of my eating and exercise, I'll be motivated to keep working. Maybe by putting it in writing on the internet, even in a private place, I'll take charge of my eating and activity.

I am not on a diet. Diets don't work. There are no forbidden foods, except things that taste nasty and only fill my face while I'm trying to realize what else I want to eat. I will not eat just because I am bored. I will eat more fresh stuff and complex stuff and interesting stuff. I will learn how to use herbs and spices. I will try new things.

I am not on an exercise regimen. Those are really yucky. I'm too old to do yucky stuff. I will walk with my children and husband. I will go to Curves because I like the way I feel when I go there. I like to be strong. I will do things that make me feel strong and happy.

I will not bore people with my non-diet and non-regimen. However, I think I'll invite some people to read this, if they are interested. Just to keep me on my toes.