Why Start—Will Rogers, the great humorist, once said, “Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through trying to save.” In 2008 I had just retired from Georgia State University after 34 years as a college professor and administrator, and I knew that in addition to volunteering in my daughter’s first grade classroom a couple of days a week, I wanted to begin an exercise program.
Nothing was stopping me except me. I had gained about a pound a year for the last 15 years of my working life, which meant I was carrying around about 15 to 20 extra pounds. I knew how the weight got there, I just didn’t knew how to get it off. During my first summer of retirement, I tried walking and a neighborhood boot camp, but with inconsistent results. I was getting frustrated. As Mr. Rogers has said, “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” So in the fall, when my younger daughter suggested I try a group exercise class at a small, personal gym with this fantastic instructor she took classes with, I decided I could get more serious about an exercise program if…I liked the classes, the instructors, and the other gym members.
Some people have told me in an exercise program you will either like a big gym or a small one, and personal training or group classes, but you’ll definitely have a preference. Again, Will Rogers has a philosophy that fits: “There are 3 kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.” I tried the mega-gym, but found I missed that personal connection which to me would signal my success if I kept going to the gym or failure by eventually stopping. What I found at SFX was very affordable group classes that felt like personal training, in an atmosphere where I could meet friendly, supportive people. I had interested, engaged instructors and very friendly, welcoming gym members I could get to know. I had found the perfect fit for me.
Why Keep Going—Through the summer of 2009 I took 3 classes a week and started to feel better about myself, without really losing any weight. I knew I was getting stronger, and my clothes fit better, but I obsessively stood on that scale every day hoping to see the pounds fall off. I know I shouldn’t have, but as Mr. Rogers has observed—“There’s two theories to arguin’ with a woman. Neither one works.” Then in the fall of 2009 I added a spin class to my group classes, liked it, and added more spin classes in addition to my other group classes.
By the middle of 2010 I was taking a combination of classes totaling about 7 hours a week, and walking my hilly neighborhood on the weekends. The members in my classes in 2009 were still there in 2010, and I was getting positive feedback from them that boosted my confidence to try and push myself a little more.
It’s now the middle of 2011 and my wonderful, supportive instructors and fellow members are still with me. I’ve lost 15 pounds, and as I ease into my sixth decade I’m stronger than I’ve ever been and feel good about myself. I’ve dropped 2 dress sizes, and have added fabulous boot camp classes this summer to my schedule. Can I do every exercise in class? No, but I can modify and keep up with people half my age.
Final advise from Will Rogers—“Don’t squat with your spurs on.”
