When I decided I needed to lose some weight and get in better physical shape, I initially believed I could manage my goals at home.
I thought going for a few runs and following along with online videos would be sufficient.
I saw very little progress and got discouraged. I then joined a women’s fitness class that was held in the basement of a local church. After one session, I realized that the instructor had very little idea of what she was doing. The ladies in the class were far more interested in chatting and going out to drinks afterward. I finally did some googling and found a fitness center located just a fifteen-minute drive from my home. I was able to take a virtual tour of the facility, provide my credit card information and sign-up totally online. I got super excited by my membership and went on a shopping spree. I bought myself a brand new pair of sneakers, all sorts of workout attire and a very cute water bottle. I felt totally prepared for my first day at the fitness center. However, when I arrived, I suddenly felt completely intimidated. The other members seemed so confident, while I had no idea of how to properly use the machines. I was worried I’d embarrass or hurt myself. Assuming I could figure out how to operate a stationary bike, I started there. All I really needed to do was start pedaling. I messed with the various controls and managed to find a program to follow. For the next three weeks, I strictly used that same bike. Eventually, I worked up the courage to step on a treadmill. I moved onto the elliptical and the rowing machine. I watched other people and became more comfortable. I’ve now used every machine at the fitness center. I’ve participated in several different types of group classes. I’ve reached my original weight loss goal and set new challenges for strength, endurance and flexibility.