Bring a Camera and Meet Me at the Gym

Did you ever have one of those moments when you wished you had a camera? Not to capture the first steps of a beloved toddler, or the vista from atop an incredible peak but something even more awe-inspiring...Rita turning on the lights at the gym.

Yes. I know. Your first response is to think I was being teacher-like after school and readjusting the lights in the workout room after some teenage prankster has had his way. Any thing to preserve reading light for US Weekly, right? Wrong!

Picture the dark, silent, and incredibly cold parking lot of the Berkeley Heights YMCA. Then picture..no, wait. It's impossible for most of you to picture this because you have NO FRAME OF REFERENCE for the gym at 5:29 AM!!! HA HA HA!!!! (evil laugh)

That was mean - sorry. But you have to understand that I have no frame of reference for size 8 jeans, Banana Republic, or "I'm just too full for dessert, " so just indulge me this one triumphant moment.

This week I actually was one of a group to be the FIRST into the workout room - and I actually flipped on the light switch!!! I, Rita Brown, turned on the gym lights. I was there FIRST! No music pumping yet, no sweat dripping, no heavy breathing. Just darkness and the rag-tag bunch of workout junkies stumbling in for our morning fix. Actually, they'd probably clunk me with a barbell if they heard I called them "rag-tag." These people are the most energetic, friendly, and encouraging gym-goers I've ever met. They constantly inspire me.

Anyway, as I stood there for a second as all the lights flicked on in order, I had to pause to actually comprehend that I was standing at the Y at freakin' 5:30 AM and I had now been doing this for about two whole months non stop. A personal record. Actually, the pause had to be brief because I needed to claim treadmill #3. I've affectionately named him Tony. I don't think he liked being known only as "#3." He's so good to me - he needed a name.

Lessons learned since last post:
1. Being sick is not an excuse to stop working out. I actually felt BETTER after working out despite clogged sinuses and a hacking cough. When Tony and I started moving together (small children avert your eyes here) I thought it was a mistake. But after about 5-7 minutes, I couldn't believe the second wind I got. I actually worked harder than I had the day before. Bottom line - exercise gives you energy. It brings oxygen to your blood cells. It helps.

2. Working hard WILL get you a smaller size. I gave away two more pairs of pants and bought three (I'm too poor to lose weight!) more in a SMALLER size. I haven't been this size in three years. Whooo hooo!!!!!

3. No matter how you try to work it - Halloween candy is evil. Don't go near it. Don't even say the c-word after October 1. Put all memories of it out of your mind. Renounce it. Scoff at it. Smite it at every turn. If you have to have it in your house, buy something like Nerds or Mary Janes. No, even I will eat those things if I'm desperate enough. Go the wussy route and buy Playdough or pencils. The kids in the neighborhood will try to stone you but you'll have less fat to weigh you down as you outrun them. Note: I went up .6 lbs this week.

Stay tuned for the Top 5 (or 10, the way I've been going lately) Most Embarrassing Gym Moments. If anyone has one to add - post a response! :)

Thank you to our Lord, Rebbecca, Melissa, J., and Christine for their support.