Gill South bites the bullet and decides to join a gym in a bid to build up her general health and fortify her immune system.
Well, the highly unlikely has happened. I've joined a gym. And let me tell you it wasn't easy. It took much agonising and tossing and turning the night before. In the half-hour before actually signing up, I could have gone either way. If I'd had a discouraging conversation, I would have run for the hills. As it was I had a nice pot of tea and a blueberry muffin at the gym's cafe - probably not recommended behaviour of a soon-to-be gym bunny - while I waited to sign my life away. It was very pleasant, the people looked nice, some gratifyingly unglamorous, others who didn't look like they'd ever gone anywhere near a barbell in their lives. But I thought, yes, I could feel comfortable here.
I chose this gym because I can do several activities that I really enjoy and don't need to be dragged to kicking and screaming. And rather than just having one class at a certain time, I can choose from about 70, so if a meeting comes up and I can't make a session it's no big deal, I can do something else. Another perk is I can temporarily join my kids up in the school holidays very inexpensively which they will love - they still think fitness stuff is fun, bless them.
The last time I joined a sports club, I did it for three months seven years ago and I was slightly downhearted to find that I managed to put weight on rather than take it off. People kindly said it was muscle, but I knew better.
I've chosen winter to join up because I can feel my usual aches coming on and I just don't feel like striding out on big walks when it's chilly. Now I'm going to be nice and cosy at my gym, I can be cycling away or on that cross trainer thing, (she says technically) and when it's summer I'll be in the pool and doing more outdoor stuff there. A good friend does all her reading at the gym, the book propped up against various pieces of equipment while she exercises. This appeals, though I don't think it's recommended.
