Working Out at the YMCA....Again.

 I bitch, and I complain about it, but then I always end up going right back to the YMCA to work out, and I'm not sure if that makes me happy or not. Is being happy the end game? I think being joyful is better, but we'll save that for another blog.  The YMCA is directly across the street from me, so I really have zero excuses not to go. I could complain, and I do, that they charge 3x that of what the mainstream gyms are charging, they don't have a sauna, they don't have a pool, and sometimes they trade out our good machines to other YMCAs who have more athletic clientele.  We have a bunch of old people at ours. Truth.

    So, why is it that I stay, and why is it that I leave?  Simple. I'm not one to be inconvenienced I really am not; I can say that with the straightest face, and people don't believe me because I'm not showing the proper amount of fury, I guess. If I'm put out I leave. It's very digital at times. I could be standing there in the gym and realize that they close in 20 minutes and I think, "Damn it, it's only freaking 11:40 a.m. and its SATURDAY, the day that most people work out, so why are you closing?" Then, after I say that, I storm out and quit the place. Such a baby. 

    I could also be working out and then realize that about 1/3 of the machines are needing to be serviced. This YMCA doesn't call the maintenance guys out until there are several that need to be fixed or worked on, so we have to wait on more to break!! That's another reason I just quit once, or twice.  I get pissy, which is not the same thing as it is in Great Britain, just so you know. Being pissy in the U.S. means I'm mad.  I get that way. I don't fume. I don't fuss. I just walk away. I complain in writing. I would never complain to a worker. It's not constructive, and it would be rude to do that to a person who simply works there for extra cash.

    Why do I come back? I like the workout. I like that it's close to my apartment. I like that I can go during lunch now that I'm working from home again, and I have decided to take the morning challenge of getting to the gym before 11 on Saturday so I can get a full workout in before they close. I work out for an hour on Saturday, and about 30 minutes during the week on alternate days, I go 3x during the week. I go back because they do have good exercise equipment that I need and can't afford. I don't have a place for it in my apartment either. I go back because they have an indoor track that I can walk if it's raining or snowing or too hot to walk outside. I go back because I'm wanting to stay in shape and tone. I need it.

    I'm one of the younger people that goes; then again, that's changing too. We have younger sets coming in, but they get frustrated like I did, and they leave. Most of them come from other areas of the city where they have YMCAs but they are crowded and they don't want to wait for equipment. They hear about us, so they come by and use ours. I don't appreciate that, but they pay their dues, so I can't change it. They do tend to fall off after two visits. I've noticed that. I go back because I need the routine and I need the motivation. I want to always be the best me I can be, and working out is going to keep me in that mindset.

    I was really excited to see that the YMCA added a back extender to the floor equipment. We had one last year and they gave it to some other Y. This one is good and I love it. I spent 6 minutes on it today and think it's going to be a really good addition to the cool-down part of the workout now.  My son is my trainer, I think I've mentioned that 100 times. He tells me what I should be targeting, and asks how I'm doing. I assume he cares. He seems to care. Whenever someone approaches me at the gym and wants to talk to me I tend to pretend I'm talking to Reuben on the phone rather than just listening to music. I nod, I walk off, and I don't have to communicate with anyone. Sorry if that sounds mean, but I'm not there to chat.

    The workout I tend to do is this: Shoulder pull, pec pull from sitting position, then the pec push from reclined, and pec push from sitting (lateral), then I do the rowing machine for 5 minutes, and now the back extender, but I want to do that last now. I do the leg press, the leg extender, and the leg/butt push-up. I hang for a few reps and I walk the track.  When I get home I do the small stuff, the yoga, the ball or kettle, and the squats. I don't do those at the gym. Someone else can stare at themselves in the mirror; not my thing. I'm really inspired when I see people in their late 70s and 80s working out. Super happy to see them there. One lady, in particular, has a real struggle but she's there and smiling and I do talk to her.

    I came home today thinking I made the right decision to go back - - again. I hope I keep it up, I hope I don't block myself again. I need to be consistent and I need to be diligent. I need to stop being such a Karen to myself and realize that life happens and we're not always going to get what we want!  Such a grown-up!  I'm gonna feel this tomorrow. 

Photo Credit: Me