The end of an era
In August of 2005, I got married, started Weight Watchers with new co-workers, and enrolled in my husband's mom-n-pop gym.
Today, nine years later, I severed that membership.
It was time. We moved from that small town to another one just 15 minutes away, but a 30 minute round trip in the morning was too much, and I haven't used my membership in several months, preferring to work out around the neighborhood. I knew it was time to stop sending my $20 dues into the ether and get them back into our budget.
It was more emotional than I thought it would be. At that gym I trained in part for my first 5k, then half marathon, and eventually full marathon. I lost weight, gained it back, lost it again, and gained it back. I learned to lift using their free-weights and "New Rules of Lifting for Women" that Steph was doing simultaneously. I made friends with the three middle aged dudes that were always in the weights section at 5am in the morning with me. I learned the names of Carl, Dave, and Tyler. They were astonished over seeing my pregnant self at 42 weeks still exercising. The only extended times I was away were after the births of my children.
I grew so much there. I learned to value exercise. I challenged myself and also phoned in work outs. There were very few bimbos or meat-heads. It didn't have Zumba or yoga classes, but it did have a non-judgmental vibe. Which is hard to come by, I'm told. It's the only gym I've ever really been a part of, so I couldn't say.
In the summer of 2015, my new little town will open its very own YMCA. It will be awesome. My kids will learn to swim there, they will go to summer camps there, they will spend time in the gym while mom works out. They will hopefully learn to respect physical fitness there. And even better, it's a mere half mile from my house. Dues will be much more than my last pittance of a membership, but will be entirely worth it. I just need to wait another seven or eight months. I feel certain it will be amazing. A gym experience unlike any other.
However, that tiny Podunk gym in my old town will always hold a special place in my heart. And on my blog.
