Let ME do ME!

June 8, 2010

Seriously guys? The notes from my post last night still have me choked. And jazzed. :)

I was really tired today for some reason. No exercise yesterday, so planned on going to the gym today for sure. Was tempted to stay home and cuddle with my not-so-little-dog and go to sleep early. But then she started barking like a maniac at some squirrels outside and that was my cue to go.

I don’t know who tweeted this or originally said it, but the saying “You never regret going to the gym. You only regret NOT going” is soooo true. I had some anxiety issues related to the gym today. Not sure where they crept up from, but my mind was thinking:

- It’s a Tuesday during gym “rush hour!” OMG, it’s going to be crowded and people will look at me!

- What if I don’t have a clear little space to do my warmup? What if people look at me like I’m stupid and have to step over me to get to their equipment?

- What if the treadmill I like to use is taken and I have to go to one front and center?

- My legs are still sore, what if they cramp up and I fall over?

Yes, I know I’m nutso. These thoughts were completely my own made up stumbling blocks. Mental demons meant to psych me out of something I have enjoyed doing lately- going to work out. And of course as you know the story goes, I had none of these problems, whatsoever. The gym wasn’t nearly as crowded as I thought, I had plenty of space to warm up, the treadmill was available and my legs were less sore during my workout than before.

There were a couple of points though, while at the gym, that made me doubt myself:

The treadmill next to me had a really cute girl running fast on there. It was easy for her. And yet there I went, at 2.3 on a 1 incline, on my treadmill. That’s like Sunday-stroll pace. But that’s what it took for me to keep me in the proper heart rate range for today, so I did it. Halfway through my 40 minutes on it, the girl was still going strong. Some light bulb in my head went off. LET ME DO ME! This is MY workout, and whatever I need to do to finish it is MY prerogative. Forget the comparisons or jealousies I have in my head to this girl, or any of the other people in the gym going at full speed.

The second point of doubt came when I finished 40 minutes of walking and decided to do the elliptical the remaining 20 minutes. I knew I’d have to go slow. I got over my mental block on the treadmill, so that made no difference to me. I picked a machine and started. What I thought was hilarious was that at the pace I was trying to go, the elliptical kept telling me I was “Pausing” and would stop tracking my time. Like I had paused to take a drink of water or something! It was really annoying, but I just threw the towel over the display and finished my 20 minutes.

Ironically, while on the elliptical, on the cardio theater I watched a special on TLC about the worlds biggest Rice Krispie treat being made by some town. It has completely turned me off to the goodness that is a Rice Krispie treat, because that gigantic thing looked NAS-TAY!

via http://photos.toofab.com

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Tagged as: gym

  • http://kentuckygeekgirl.blogspot.com Tasha Lee

    I stopped going to the gym on campus and the YMCA because I was SO intimidated by all of the athletes that would come in and do their workouts. You've inspired me to try out the gym again and get back with it. You are the greatest.

  • http://www.fatgirlsguidetoliving.com Tee

    Hooray! I'm loving these updates. So many things that were the same for me when I first started going to a gym again in January. Keep 'em coming!

  • http://bedeliciouslyhealthy.blogspot.com Brittany

    I say those EXACT things to myself, when I'm thinking about going to the gym, or headed to the gym! I play every “what if?” my mind can possibly think of!

    Your posts are always just what I need to hear. With my arthritis I like totally don't walk normal. I don't have one of those pretty struts… I'm kind of a gimp. It's no different on the treadmill. Last time I went to the gym, there was this beautiful, fit girl on the treadmill next to me. I felt so embarrassed that for one, I was struggling and I wasn't even speed walking. And second, that I was limping on the dang thing! But you know what? “This is my workout”!! I'm doing this for me. I'm not doing this so I can win a popularity contest at the gym! I need to just give it my all, and not worry about everyone else! Thanks for that!

    LOL! The elliptical does the same thing to me! It says I'm pausing, and I'm like, “what? I'm not pausing! Hello?! This is as fast as I can go man!” Then I get embarrassed because the thing keeps beeping at me the whole time!

  • http://mayorofthebux.com Danielle

    that rice krispy treat looks disgusting… but all the same I would probably take a square after a moment.
    I love “let me do me” an I need to make that my mantra esp during bootcamp when everyone is passing me and I'm huffing and puffing along.
    I understand about the gym thing, that's one of the reasons why I belong to a 24 hour one, I go at odd times… but in all honesty no one probably cares a bit about my cardio time.
    loving your honesty, it's making me more accountable to myself as well.

  • http://www.finallyfiguringitout.blogspot.com MB

    I used to get freaked out when people would stand behind me when I was on the elliptical until I realized that's where the a/c vent was and they weren't paying any attention to me at all.

    I wish I saw that TLC special so I could get turned off those treats too.

  • http://www.serifgroup.com Jackie

    Keep. It. Up. Missed you at Zumba.

  • zenlizzie

    I think being totally oblivious is one of my major strengths at the gym. I hardly ever notice people unless they are doing something annoying. lol. However, sometimes I do get freaked out that people are judging me (even when I'm not noticing them.). And, I just remember that MOST people are generally good and either don't notice, or are only thinking good thoughts about their fellow gym goers. And, anyone who would think something rude doesn't matter anyway.

  • KP

    I love reading your blog, it's so inspirational! I'm still trying to figure out why it's “this time”, but until then I am having no luck. But keep going strong, I am proud of you! :-)

  • http://www.anonymousfatgirl.com Anonymous Fat Girl

    Ha ha! Yes I've seen others at the gym that are humming along and I'm struggling. I am a very competitive person, so it pushes me to work harder. Even though they have no idea they are pushing me. In my mind, I think: they are doing it, so why can't I? Of course they could be 100 lbs thinner than me but I will give it my all. That's one of the things I do like about the gym as opposed to working out at home. I have that incentive to “compete” in my mind with others, but give it my all. Sounds silly, I know!

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/C2PBGMTBSA3TZYSAPQKIBPYHJ4 Becky

    During my whole weight loss journey, I felt the same way. I would look at the runners on the treadmill or street just coasting along like nothing while I struggle to run 30 secs or a 5mph pace….But it did motivate me and push me harder to get through a workout. I tend to still do that to myself. I run on a specific treadmill at 5 am..(almost like church pews no one takes your pew..no one usually is on my treadmill) I run next to a guy that goes faster than me..and well averages more miles than me too..But he didn't know my journey and what it has taken for me to get there…. I asked him a couple days before the 1/2 marathon if he was running it, and he laughed and said there is no way i can do one of them… and I proudly said..OH really I am ..this will be my second one!!! It felt prettty good to have that confidence!
    Do your thing…

  • http://icedteagir.blogspot.com Kara

    I HATE when the elliptical thinks you're going too slow and pauses!! That happens to me a lot, usually when I'm cooling down. Ugh! The ones at my gym make a loud beep when it pauses too, so I get self conscious about others thinking, “oh she's going so slow it paused on her!” when, in reality, nobody probably noticed.

    I love reading your blog! :)

  • Sarah7500

    My cousin Dee is dating a personal trainer (talk about pressure! she can NEVER get out of going to the gym!) and I mentioned almost every excuse/reason you just mentioned here. What she said really changed my head and my heart. She said, “Kevin always tells new clients that NO ONE is looking at them. Most people who are at the gym are there for themselves and no one else. Very few people are people watching because they're concentrating on their own bodies. So don't worry about what the tiny fit girl next to you can do, or the huge bodybuilder in the back. Trust me, they don't care about you.”
    And that's what I think now when I'm at the Y. And I'm about to head out right now.

  • Trainer Rob

    Hey Tasha, Join LAC…it is a great gym with plenty of space to feel comfortable. And of course, if you are looking for a trainer: I am the best :) Just ask Emily :)

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    This is soooooooooo true. I hope you had a great time at the Y today. I'll try to remember this going forward… how quickly we forget!

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    Thank goodness I'm not the only one who makes the elliptical pause when I'm going slow!!!

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    Thanks Becky! I'm competitive too, and that's one of the most frustrating things, not being able to physically do it. But I'll do it, and one day I'll do a half marathon. Maybe we can do one together!

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    Not silly AT ALL! I completely get it. I love having this secret that one day, I will beat someone on the treadmill next to me.” I think everyone has a little drop of competitiveness in them somewhere.

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    Thank you KP. Take your time in figuring out the “why” behind “this time.” When you find it, you'll smack yourself on the head and then it will fall into place.

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    I need to put blinders on. But you are right, MOST people are generally good and probably don't notice. Something I MUST remember.

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    Thanks Jackie! I'll Zumba with you some other time.

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    That's funny about the AC vent. I'd totally be paranoid too. And trust me, that rice krispie treat show- blech. You're better off without it LOL

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    I'm just glad that tv show didn't have “smell-a-vision” or else I would have been drooling over the elliptical. Looked nasty, but I'm sure it would have smelled delicious.
    I also try to go during odd times, and on the weekends, when I know people “with lives” aren't there. I enjoy the calm and fewer people.

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    Brittany- please, don't say you're “kind of a gimp.” This makes my heart hurt. You are STUNNING and should never worry about how you “strut” or don't strut. And you are right- our weight loss journeys are OURS to have. TIME TO BE SELFISH! No feeling inferior. I'll continue to tell you that, and you can continue to remind me as well :) xoxo

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    Thank you, Tee! I'm working on it… slowly but surely!

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    Tasha- when we have lunch (some week, whenever schedules align!) we will set a time for you to come with me if you'd like. You're welcome any time.

  • http://www.skinnyemmie.com skinnyemmie

    Meh, you're okay ;)

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