Waterloo

Member Since January 2009

My Story
FORGIVE ME

MONDAY NOONHOUR
I could write a universal truth story, for women are all connected. We do share some similar desires: self empowerment, acceptance, respect and belonging to name a few. However, I will boldly write of an uglier truth; a separateness that I have thankfully since reconciled.

Walking into Curves that first noon hour, I was ready to dominate. Yes, I certainly had some misplaced anger due to my upcoming divorce; but more accurately, I felt like a nubile buck who knew no bounds. While that is a heady feeling that I can own, I am embarrassed of my instant dismissal of the gym. My quick assessment being that the Curves workout would hardly be called much of a workout. It was nearly beneath me.

I did summon what I thought was fair decency, to commit myself to three trial workouts before feeling I could self-assuredly shelve Curves altogether. I was soon to be humbled.

You may wonder about this seeming superiority that entered the change room alongside my person. You see that I appeared fit, youthful looking and with such purpose to my stride. You knew that I was not here to burn calories, but perhaps to build muscle and strengthen bones. You may, in your wisdom, have understood that I was going to have a rude awakening.

My humility came in regular instalments: the first being day one. Adrenaline mixed with a little testosterone got me through that first workout. Nonetheless, I was amazed at how shaky my legs were as I slipped into my car 30 minutes later. Attributing this feeling to certain muscles that simply hadnt been used during my usual athletic pursuits, I fell into a deep slumber later that evening. Be assured, I was not ready to admit I had pushed my body in that very gym I had earlier dismissed.

WEDNESDAY NOONHOUR
Upon entering the gym I seemed to have left my testosterone at the door. Instead, I brought such female determination to complete the circuits without breaking a sweat. I had an image to keep up " to myself. It seemed harder that second time around. And I couldnt believe the effort it took to maintain my faade. The sweat accumulating at my bra line defied my lazy grin as I approached the next machine. I was more than ready to stop after the thirty minutes. Needless to say, I was perplexed. How was this possible?

FRIDAY NOONHOUR
Looking back, I wonder now if I seemed different entering the gym that Friday I joined. Id love to say that there was a more humble approach in my step. But that came much later. It was enough to acknowledge that some machines had the potential to help me increase my strength. It was too much to reveal that however active my lifestyle, I had never really pushed myself.


THOSE FIRST WEEKS
I wish I could tell you that I am a fast learner. I would love to report that very quickly I realized I had underestimated every woman. But it was all about me then. I figured I just didnt sweat as much because I was in better shape. That these women were working harder than me didnt enter my mind. In fact, I didnt even need the Curves Smart program. I was doing fine all on my own.

AND THEN MONTHS
I began to realize that perhaps I could push myself more. Possibly, those women who sweat so much had something going on. With reticence, I attributed my sudden interest in the Smart program to curiosity. Fob in hand, I received my first glimpse into what I had been missing: actually pushing myself and sweating like every other woman! I began to get out of my own head and see that I was every curves woman- if they would have me.

AND NOW
I continue to be humbled as women decades older than me drive themselves harder than I ever have. In my wildest dreams do I imagine being able to work at their level. I have learned so much from these women. They tell me that I will get stronger and that I can achieve such goals. I am realizing that personal strength will grow as I feel stronger in my private life: in that of redefining what family looks like and my role as a mother.

While I now have more of a waist, I continue to have my butt kicked by women in their fifties, sixties and seventies. And certainly, there are women in their eighties putting me to shame with their determination and commitment. Unknowingly, I came for the development of my strength " of character. This is my tribute to all the curvaceous women I meet! Yes, that means you too.

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