I am sitting here today with pretty much every muscle in my body aching.  Why is that?  Well, having just made the resolution that I’d spend mornings at the Y I’ve already abandoned that.  Just about two blocks from my front door there’s a local gym called Forest Hill Fitness that opened about a year ago.  I’ve walked by it many times and even picked up their schedule a month or so ago.  Monday I was sick after having a migraine for three days so didn’t exercise at all.  Yesterday at about 9 a.m. I was overwhelmed with the desire not to go to the Y; it’s a half hour subway/streetcar ride, I have to be there half an hour early to sign up for my class and be sure to have a space, and then after being in the swimming pool I have to get very dry – which with long hair takes time – for the half hour trip home.  In the end I spend 3 hours to get 1 hour of exercise. I’ve set myself a 4-month challenge to lose 20 pounds and get in shape so don’t have time for wasted hours.  Four months … minus 6 days now.  Let me clarify that this isn’t about making a fashion statement or meeting any of the awful stereotypes that we have to contend with as women … that looking like you’re 16 when you’re 60 stuff.  It’s about feeling healthy and strong and fit.

So, instead of using valuable workout time travelling across town I remembered there was always a 9:30 in the morning class just around the corner and decided to give it a try.  Tuesdays is Pilates; that’s when I was introduced to a weapon of torture I’d not yet encountered; the twist board.  You stand on this double disk of wood, balance, and twist back and forth.  It moves!  A lot!  My goal for the day was mostly to just not fall off … which I did manage.  Okay, that was a good workout and even fun, so back I went this morning for a Step & Sculpt class.  I was warned that Ashlee, the instructor, does a killer routine and was comforted when she said she’d “go easy” today since there were 2 newbies and it was after the holiday break.  Easy?  You’ve got to be kidding.  Within seconds I was dripping sweat (sorry, I know that’s not a nice picture so I’ve spared you a photograph) and close to utter fatigue.  Did I give up?  Of course not!  For sure I had to adapt what she was doing from time to time.  For instance, there was the lying on a mat placed on top of the step apparatus, anchoring myself with my hands stretched over my head and gripping the edge of the step, and then … lifting both legs together.  What?  Try as I might to locate my abs I reconfirmed that I don’t have any.  Alright, for now that will be lift one leg at a time and we’ll see how it evolves.  Tomorrow’s Pilates again, then Friday is a Combo Mix of Hi/Low/Sculpt/Dance.  I have no idea actually what that means but I like the Dance part I think.  There are also some evening and weekend classes … not sure how many of those I’ll attempt but if there’s an evening that I have nothing to do why not try?

After signing up for six months and having a long chat with the owners (a way to delay having to move) I gathered my things and walked back out into the cold.  My first stop was a second-hand children’s clothing store just two doors away from the gym where I found a beautiful purple corduroy jumper (not the British meaning for that which is a cardigan but the North American variation which is like a dress without sleeves) and a lovely pink t-shirt to go under it.  Then I headed for Starbacks (another 30 feet to walk) where I relaxed for almost an hour, drinking an Americano Misto (better for me than a latte as it uses much less milk), reading the paper, and doing the Sudoku.  Walking home, cheeks turning pink, I was aware of this wonderful, content and happy feeling that ran through my body … somehow I’m perverse enough to be enjoying the pain of sore muscles.

Back home I continued the seemingly endless work involved with the renovation that’s underway.  I’ve replaced light fixtures in both the dining room and living room and bought a table lamp for what will be “the lounge” once it’s done.  Funny thing about that.  As I put it together and stepped back to look at the lamp I felt like I was finally a “grown-up”.  You see, I’ve never actually had a beautiful table lamp before; somehow I’ve always thought of them as something that older, more conservative people have.  I’ve had lots of desk lamps but a table lamp is altogether a different thing.  I know that’s strange but the feeling was so palpable … grown up at last.  David had a good laugh about it when I told him last night; he’s been working so hard (poor thing) that he needed the laugh for sure.  Glad I could provide it.  Here’s a few photos of the work in progress; I’ll post more once we’re done.

It’s 3 o’clock now.  Think I’ll indulge myself with a lovely soak in the tub and then I’ve got to get ready for choir rehearsal tonight.

Life is good.