When I was younger, through most of high school actually, I was so very excited about being grown up. When I went out to restaurants or to the mall, I would look at these perfectly groomed, fashionable, glamorous women in their twenties and feel so excited about the fact that one day I would be them.
That would be me, with gorgeously styled hair, tight black dresses, heels, manicures, and handbags, strutting around looking like I owned the world.
It never crossed my mind that maybe not all girls in their twenties are like that. Some girls run around in bare feet, with messy hair and toothpaste on their clothes. Who are unable to wear heels, and find manicures terrifying.
Obviously I grew up to be the latter. Sorry teenage me. I tried.
And as I do with everything that I am not, I love to mock these girls. Nicely of course, I just described many of my friends. But since I can’t possibly be them, not only due to time and money but basic laws of the universe, oh how I make fun at their expense. “How shallow they are!” I would crow, as if spending just as much money on unfashionable clothing really makes me any less shallow. “Look at them in their heels. They are ruining their feet!” As if buying shoes two sizes two small because I am too lazy to try them on makes me any smarter.
But the thing that I really made fun of was this: THESE GIRLS GO TO THE GYM. They exercise. Willingly.
Sometimes even for fun.
At 18, when people told me they went to the gym, I would laugh. “Why would you exercise? It’s not fun!”
At 20 I would look at them in disgust. “Only shallow people go to the gym”
At 21 I became high and mighty about it. “Why would you go to the gym? It is much better to exercise outdoors in the fresh air. The gym isn’t real exercise.”
At 22, after joining a few dance classes, I would simply say. “The gym is boring, dancing is fun. You should join a dance class. No? You’re boring.”
And at the age of 23 I joined a gym.
Because it turns out, the body needs exercise. Who would have thought? And since years of not doing any exercise at all, what with my aversion to going outside in anything less than 27 degrees, and my even stronger aversion to not sitting, I became unfit.
So I swallowed my pride. Payed my money. Realised I don’t own one pair of runners or pants, and nagged my mother into lending me hers. And went to the gym.
I’m not going to lie. I felt a little twinge of pride. I was growing up. Maybe I would become like those girls. I too would be glamorous. I too would wear heels and get my hair done.
Boy did I strut around this week.
That is, until I actually went. Stupidly, I chose to do a ‘body step’ class as my first one. First I was late, so ended up sprinting into the class and interrupting the whole thing. Then I realised that we weren’t just stepping onto the steps...a skill that took me a good 5 minutes to master. We had to do moves. Things like double right, side jump, cross-over and clap. It would be then that I tripped over the steps. Twice. Every minute.
A number of times I just completely missed the step. Put my foot up, realised it had landed on air, and had to go to great pains to not fall flat on my face while trying not to draw attention to myself.
Worst of all, everyone else was great at it. Even the newbies like me. I don’t know, are all girls just programmed to automatically know what ‘double cross-jump-side step-clap-turn-shimmy’ means? Why didn’t I get that gene?!
About halfway through, the instructor went from laughing at me to giving me odd looks. It wasn’t until doing the stretching at the end, when I was sliding off my mat and wondering why no one else was having the same issues, that I realised I had forgotten something.
Shoes.
I forgot to wear shoes.
I am so used to not wearing them at uni or work, that I forgot that they tend to be a social norm.
Especially when you’re at the gym and your sweaty feet are making you slide off of things.
Life lesson #10189439894723- Wear shoes in public. Just in case you need them.
And even more importantly:
Life lesson #10189439894724- Don't make fun of people for liking things that you don't, because more often that not you'll end up eating your words.
Comments
Andrea x
andreareh.blogspot.com
And its a struggle for me to lose weight.
I suppose I'm too cheap for the gym, but I enjoy walking. Doing some sit ups. I have to break it up. But so true about exercise. Eating those veggies too. I think its the journey, of finding what your body likes and can do. Sometimes, you have to compromise. Just stay strong. Be healthy for you.
Oh..and don't forget those face exercises in the morning..
I really enjoyed your post.
Thanks so much for the note. Unfortunately, most of the Hollyoaks characters I write about were sent packing once they got a new head writer on board. Seems they might have been a seedy bunch. But I miss Lauren..although, she was a bit wicked. Gaz was practically a con artist. And..well, in the past of the stories..I might have sauced it more than I should have. Yet, I was inspired by a girl gang Japanese movie I'd seen. And really, all Lauren wanted was to put the main guy who owned the village out of commission. But in the later stories..I kind of had a 'reality' TV thing going.
I wish I could watch Hollyoaks, but its limited through You Tube right now.
have a fab weekend xx
<3 Belly B
BTW, step classes are more difficult than people give them credit for being. It takes a lot of practice, so don't feel badly.
The most important part of exercise is to never, ever give up. Just keep trying. You'll get it. :)
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i can't believe you forgot your shoes! hahahahhahahaaa.
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Gah I don't like going to the gym either, I actually love exercise (but more so when I'm in shape) and I prefer outdoor exercise...but I've had gym memberships too, and I'm not gonna lie I actually find most of the classes really fun!
At least you got of your arse at 23! It took me until 30 to stop bagging of self absorbed people who committed to daily exercise. Now I see what I was missing out on all those years!
the question is, will you be returning to the gym?
p.s. be sure to stop by and enter my fab Whiting & Davis giveaway--you could win a handbag worth over $200!
What is even worse is that all the people Iknow who attend Gym to get "fit" which I assume is get healthy, they all eat shit, or hardly eat at all (not really providing the efficient dietary needs like protein and vitamins into your routine to help build and tone muscle and gain awesome health) and binge drink every weekend, if not have a 6 pac every night and THEN binge drink on weekends!
And then complain they feel like shit or aren't losing weight. I mean .. . .why?
It really is so muchj easier and cheaper to exercise outside in fresh air (better ions for your lungs too) or in teh comfort of your own home, doing something you enjoy (like dancing as it sounds like you do!) that makes you feel good about yourself instead of like shit! End of rant.:)
Just as you would stare at the perfectly groomed women in heels, manicured, etc., I would stare at those women in the step classes. 9am, hair and make-up done for the gym, big diamond rings, and they would take 3 classes at the gym and they knew every move and the instructors knew their names. I would think, "How can I be them?" They obviously don't work. They have time for themselves!!!