Last week, I posted that we are now official card-carrying members of the brand-spanking-new YMCA in town. Now understand, I was your typical “band geek” in high school, and I’ve never been around the “gym culture” a whole lot in my life. In fact, if you take one quick look at me, you’ll soon discover that I really don’t know a lat pull from a lap pool. So I’ve been a tad uneasy/unsure about this Y thing.

But we’ve been a couple of times now, and it’s really not so bad. Here are some things I’ve learned so far…

  • The indoor walking/jogging track is a lot easier than the hills in my neighborhood.
  • Some people don’t care how they dress (undress?) to go out in public. (Corollary: A lot more people ought to care how they dress to go out in public, even if it is just a workout at the gym.)
  • The lovely and gracious “Mrs. Just Charlie” is still pretty hot in her Speedo, even after all these years!
  • As for me and my Speedo…well, let’s just not even go there, OK? Just kidding…my Speedo is baggy and striped. But it is a Speedo!
  • I’m not the only one who doesn’t have a clue what to do with all the weights, machines, etc.
  • There are people who are paid to help you out when you don’t know what you’re doing.
  • There are regular Joes and Janes who, while not paid to do it, are more than happy to lend a helping hand and a dose of encouragement – without laughing too much.
  • There are poseurs everywhere you go – even in the local YMCA.
  • Some people want to carry on a conversation in the locker room. Others don’t.
  • The instructions on the machines really work!
  • I’m really, really out of shape.
  • So are a lot of other people.
  • And some are in worse shape than I am. Go figure…
  • Did I mention anything about the lovely and gracious “Mrs. Just Charlie” still being pretty hot in her Speedo, even after all these years?
  • The whirlpool is, in fact, my “workout” of choice!
  • I’m tired at the end of a session. But it’s a good kind of tired, and I’m already noticing I’m sleeping better.
  • It’s awkward learning unfamiliar language and an unfamiliar culture. But if I can stick with it, it’ll be worth every minute and every dime to shape up.