Me, so Wobbly
Thu, March 6, 2008
Filed under: Fitness, Pain, Rants
Thanks to an insufferable amount of nagging from dad, I finally decided to do something constructive about my weight and joined a gym. More specifically, I decided to attend aerobic classes almost every day of the week1.
So obviously, I needed roughly two weeks to prepare myself, only to almost forget about it and startle Beth with my sudden ending of our IM conversation2… all this to merely subscribe.
Yesterday was my first class, after which it was painfully clear that the little physical condition I had ever possessed was long gone. I’m pathetic, really: they made us lift our legs high and mine were literally screeching in protest after 10 (out of 50) tries. The end of the class literally had me wobble into the changing room, only to wobble out and into the nearest store to buy some mineral water. Apparently my legs weren’t the only wobbly body parts, as I ‘neatly‘ dropped the change into the cashier’s booth3.
Deciding that for once in my life, I should keep my mom’s advice in mind, I immediately took an aspirin when I got home (I live 7 minutes walking distance from the gym)… followed by another one because I didn’t feel the taste of the first one.
The aspirins had one Hell of an effect, as I only felt a slight pulling in the back of my legs. Suffice to say, that I went in today much more determined to do well. Only to encounter… MY 12th GRADE GERMAN TEACHER!!one11! I hadn’t seen her since Autumn 2003 (that’s when I started university).
We were sitting side by side and she suddenly turns to me saying
I know you… I can’t remember where from, but I DO know you!
I was not wearing my glasses, so I had to squint at her outline and hazard a very very wild guess:
Me: Were you a German teacher?
Her: YES!
Me: You taught me. I’m Vera.
Her: OH yes!
Considering the rest of my classmates had no interest whatsoever, while I practically inhaled every single word she said… not to mention I was among her first students4, I was very glad she remembered. It has been over 4 years since then. I also found out she’s not teaching anymore.
I probably tried harder, most especially since she was right next to me… of course I still barely managed to complete 40% of the exercises. My hand-eye-coordination is … what’s that again?
In conclusion: I’m on my way to becoming a drug addict (another 2 aspirins just got swallowed, this time taste and all)… and I should probably try and fish my watch out of the bottom of my backpack. Hopefully it’s still intact, after having tossed my sweat suit and trainers right on top of it…
____________
1 the gym’s closed on Sunday.
2 though by now she should be quite used to my airheadedness (yes, that’s a word =P )
3 no, it was not intentional, I had to bend over and fish them out, right afterwards.
4 she had finished university the same year we started 12th grade (2002).
Haha, you’re really funny… I hope you manage to stick it out down the gym. And yay for randomly bumping into old teachers!
Vera: I hope so… I’m envisioning myself getting close to Amber’s figure
I remember when I had my first aspirin and I slept like a baby.
Gym is always hard the first few times but once your muscles get used to it then you should feel less jelly like.
Not sure if you’ve seen Run, Fatboy, Run but the scene where Simon Pegg goes to the gym for the first time. The beginning of the post reminded me of that!
Vera: no I haven’t but I’ll look it up
That’s what I’m hoping for, with the going every day. My mom’s worried I’m over-exerting myself… but one hour every day? I don’t think that can be harmful.
I’ve started to do some exercises as well, though it’s hard to combine it with school (at least for me it is)… My physical condition is quite alright though, since I cycle to school everyday
Vera: with the exception of Saturday, I go at 6pm, but when I booked they told me most people go from 7pm. Or is your school’s timetable so complex? Then again, I don’t have to do homework for the following day
You know, I’ve been crazy sore the past couple of days from this new lower body workout I tried, and I never thought to take anything for it, lol. There is a happy side to the pain though, makes you feel like you really worked hard.
Whatever you do, don’t give up. The more you exercise, the better you’ll feel and the more you’ll wanna do it. It gets much easier too. I used to be a couch potato, but now I’m totally addicted to exercise. If I miss a day, I get very cranky.
BTW, sorry if you thought I was attacking you in the comments or something on the Internet Police site. I swear that’s not what I was trying to do at all. I wasn’t even really responding to your comment, just pointing out an instance where it’s ok to reuse someone else’s code.
Just bored out of my mind right now, trying to pass some time… *sigh*
Vera: I won’t give up. I really need to lose weight, so I’ll keep it up. Plus the fact that most people are really skinny there, kinda motivates me.
As for the IP, I must apologize as well. I over reacted, when I thought about that Javascript I had to custom make. I did try to look for similar stuff and found nothing, plus I didn’t even know Javascript past the getElementById() function. I know it’s OK to reuse code, just not in its entirety.
Well, a little tips from an aerobic/step instructor: before and after you work out, try to eat a banana or a cereal bar. I’m sure they sell them at the gym? It’s a great source for carbs and they will give you energy through out the class.
Also, try to eat sufficiently (preferably healthy foods) within two hours of having finished the class. Your body will activate energy burning (mostly fat) and will recover faster for the next workout.
Good luck with keeping out. Don’t give up, cause it’s mostly for your health. Also, pretty soon you’ll notice the benefits/changes.
Vera: ooh thanks will do so. I only saw bottled water being sold there, but it’s not a problem. There’s a deli 3 minutes down the road, where I can probably get it cheaper. I LOVE cereal bars.
And um… healthy food. Er, does yoplait fruit yoghurt count as “healthy food”? 
If only you lived nearby - we could both humiliate ourselves at the gym
I sometimes have to catch my breath after climbing a flight of stairs, it’s awful just how unfit I am.
Vera: oh group humiliation
ah well… move over here, and we’ll do it. 
Good luck with your workout programme! I am absolutely AWFUL when it comes to exercise. I have a mini-gym and treadmill in my basement, and I am even too lazy to go down there and run for a bit!! I SUCK. I could totally be one of those nice, thin people, if I just put in a LITTLE bit of effort.
Vera: I never was very thin
… though mom insists I was nice after 9th grade. I have no ambitions when doings alone, I have to be herded from behind, so joining a gym was my only solution.
Good luck keeping it up, and I hope it becomes really fun for you! I’m sure it will only get easier
Vera: thanks. I certainly hope so.
Aw, that must have felt nice, seeing her again.
Don’t do too much drugs!
Vera: well… I still don’t know what her name is. I never called her by anything other than “Miss”
The good thing about not being in shape is that you will improve quickly in the beginning - there’s no better motivator than moving forward!
And about the aspirins - please don’t over-do it.. I also do that once in a while, but there’s a reason why your body is aching and you do not want to get an injury because you overload your body.
Vera: not a problem, I generally forget to take them
Ack I’ve been taking to exercise as well to get my figure somewhere near normal; I envy the fact that you survived one of those hardcore aerobic routines. If I had more time I’d try the spinning classes at the gym near my house, but I’m sure my legs would pop off… I guess jogging/running will have to suffice for my workouts at the moment.. I haven’t ever taken aspirin for aches, usually I enjoy feeling achy after a workout because it reminds me how hard I worked… eh, I guess I’m a bit masochistic then.
Vera: whenever I don’t take an aspirin, it looks like I’m having a weird go at a Russian dance (you know the one where people cross their arms and throw legs in front of them).
I used to do the gym thing, a long time ago. It worked for a while, but I prefer the gyms that only women can go to - a lot less stressful for me. Kudos for taking the plunge.
Vera: only women go to aerobic. There’s a fitness studio, right near it, but they’re not connected, so the guys never come in. I’be be freaked out if anyone saw me in the middle of exercise when I’m bright red and sweaty and huffing and puffing
Yoplait yoghurts as in the brand yoplait? I think they had too much sugar before (and that’s why I loved them :p) but now they’re ok. You could also eat one of those yoghurts with musli/cereals (maybe that’s what you meant?)
Vera: they don’t seem very sweet to me, I find other brands a lot sweeter. The ones with cereal and such that I know of, are for constipated people… dunno if that’s a good thing to try
I tried the cereal bars by the way, they did help. My legs were hurting like hell, but I did manage quite a bit of the exercises. Thanks for that advice. 
You did it!! If it were me talking about joining a gym..I’d still be talking about it..heh.
Though I should stop procrastinating, and stop using my treadmill as a means to hang dry my clothes. lol.
It’s good that you’re so determined though, had I run into someone I knew at the gym, I probably would not be back in that class!
Vera: I payed for 30 hours, so I’m not backing out after a mere 3
It’s always a good thing being remembered over the years.
Vera: of course, problem being I was very good at German, while at this I SUCK… so I was kinda hoping she’d keep remembering me as one of her very good students
Wow. I sympathize. I swim and have played basketball before…but sports and working out just aren’t my thing, no matter how i push myself. However, I strongly urge you not to give up! While this will sound like a gym teacher’s ‘wise words’ I have to say it: making yourself go is the first step. So good luck
As for the aspirins… one time isn’t going to kill you, but take them with care!
Last, it must have been awesome to see your teacher. I know there are a couple of teachers I would love to see again
Vera: well… I was glad to notice that she’s not as thin as I recalled
(yeah, yeah, I know; but it made me feel better… slightly).
In response: hah… nice one, always nice to remember someone more skinny than they are in reality
how old is she if you don’t mind me asking?
Vera: university lasted 4 years at the time; assuming she was 23 in 2002, she must be around 29 - 30 right now (depending on when she was born).
No, cereal yoghurts are to give you extra energy and yes, they’re good for your digestive system. As far as I know, they’re not only for constipated people, but for everyone.
There’s though these yoghurts Activia from Danone. They’re meant for people with slow intestines. Whatever you do, do not try those, if you don’t wanna end up living in your bathroom for a week. I bought them by mistake and I nearly died. Not good…
Vera: yep, we only have Activia here, with cereals
I didn’t want to eat those. 
Haha, that must have been a nice surprise. I remember meeting my 40-ish -year-old science teacher at the swimming pool
Vera: I liked her, she was very young and pretty, but I went to this gym precisely because I didn’t want to meet anyone I knew
ah well, I probably won’t meet her again, since I had to change my schedule
Good luck with your new exercise regime. I’ll be rooting for you! I’m the laziest person on earth, and will probably get fat in a couple of years.
And on a side note, I love running into teachers outside of school.
Vera: pfft! YOU Kimmie? I so wish I had your physique… I don’t mind running into teachers, just not at the gym where I’m red-faced, and puffing like a steam engine
Aerobic classes can be tough! I had to take one during my second semester at college, and it was pretty rough. Once my body got used to it though, it was fun.
Vera: yeah… yesterday one of the girls advised me not to stop, as I won’t want to continue it later on.