Workin' it

So, this morning was day 4 of my new workout routine. I joined a gym last week, and I went for the first time on Saturday night (read: I am a loser and went to the gym for my Saturday night plans). I have gone Monday, Tuesday, and now this morning. I enjoy it. It was important to me to join a friendly gym, and it seems as if I've succeeded. The staff is uber-friendly when I'm coming and going, and I appreciate that early in the morning and late at night.

I joined a gym just so I could use an elliptical machine. It might be cheaper, you say, to just buy an elliptical. You have obviously never seen my apartment. I live in a studio, and the only place I could literally fit an elliptical would be the kitchen, and it would take up all of the walking area, and I wouldn't be able to open my refrigerator or drawers. Which I'm sure would help me stop eating, yes, but let's be reasonable here. I actually got a good student rate at the gym (thank you grad school for just this one thing), and I'm hoping that I go often enough to make it worth it!

The first day I exercised, I chose this elliptical that is hiding in the corner of this nook, so I am facing a brick wall, and there's only one machine next to me that no one ever uses. This way, I can't see the other people exercising faster than me and fall into the trap of comparison! I have been able to use this machine every time, and now I secretly wonder if I will be irritated if I come in one day and someone else is using it! The only reason that I keep coming back to exercise, and I convinced of this, is that they have satellite cable. I have satellite cable at home, as well, but I am pacified that instead of sitting aimlessly on my couch watching the Food Network, I can now elliptical myself into a sweaty frenzy while watching how Tootsie Pops are made (it takes an average of 252 human licks to get to the Tootsie center. So there, owl!).

The first day I worked out, I realized why I didn't exercise more often. I was pushing myself too hard within the first three minutes, and the machine was "yelling" at me in big red capital letters to slow down because my heart rate was way too high. See, this is why I love technology. I've never had a heartbeat sensor on a piece of exercise equipment before. Apparently, the reason why I always burned out on exercise in 10 minutes was because I was pushing my heart way too much and it would just poop right out. Once I slowed down, I was able to tolerate the exercise for the 20 or 30 minute stretches that I'm doing now.

Don't get me wrong. I'm still out of shape. These people all around me at the gym are flying on the ellipticals and I'm just putzing along for 2-3 miles at a time while my heart adjusts. But I already feel better about myself that I'm doing something good for me. Hopefully, this time, with the help of trusty technology and the plethora of helpful people with towels, I'll stick to it.