Retirement is a week filled with Saturdays and Sundays interrupted only occasionally by a holiday.

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Monday, April 23, 2007

To Treadmill Or Not

A few days ago I made the momentous decision to get back to my cardio exercise regimen, which I’ve been neglecting for months, at our local YMCA. Since I only seem to be able to start these kinds of things at the beginning of a week, I chose yesterday (Sunday) as my first day to go to the Y for a 30 minute walk on one of the treadmills. It seemed like a good idea at the time and Hubby was so excited to hear me commit to an exercise program. Okay…so things don’t always work out the way you plan.

Saturday evening, my sister Lynn called and asked me if I could wait on line at one of the chain electronics stores early Sunday morning so that I could have the privilege of buying a much desired Wii for my niece and nephew. Mind you…I was merely the surrogate purchaser…the kids pooled their savings to buy this new addition to their game console collection but they had a Sunday morning commitment so I was chosen as their substitute. Knowing how much they wanted this item and knowing this would be the perfect excuse for missing that appointment with the treadmill, I agreed and did as they asked.

Once the Wii was in the trunk of my car, I was faced with a dilemma. The YMCA is located on the street just behind the shopping center lot I was parked in and I knew Hubby was still at the Y working out. So what should I do? After a few minutes of back and forth negotiating with myself, I drove on over to the Y and went inside. Here were all these members busily working out and I began to have guilt pangs especially when Hubby walked up all hot and sweaty from his workout which was still not complete. What was I to do...wait for him in the lobby reading my book or actually take off my sweatshirt and get on a treadmill? Hmmmm…this was hard.

So…what do you think I did?

15 comments:

rosemary said...

I would have picked the book because I think treadmills are the most boring thing in the world...but maybe not so much at the Y....so I think you jumped on the machine and worked out like a madwoman!! Right????

Lynn said...

I won't say, since I know what you did. Thanks again...the Wii hasn't been turned off since I got home;~)

meno said...

I think you got on that treadmill. But i am often wrong. :)

And you are a fine fine sister/aunt/person.

Renee Nefe said...

I like to read books while I'm on the treadmill...oops! I just signed up for a book club...I guess that means I need to get on the treadmill.

Patti said...

I think you hopped on the treadmill, Joan. But I can't believe a woman like you would do it in your underwear! In public!!

Anonymous said...

I am guessing book since we have the same genes.

I am not sure Lynn has the same genes though. I would have taken the day off instead of going to work like she did.

Joan said...

Rosemary: That's one vote for treadmill. I find treadmills boring too but at least I can watch TV at the Y while doing my exercise thing.

Lynn: Thanks for keeping my secret. I plan on revealing the answwer to my dilemma in a few days!

Meno: That's two votes for treadmill. I'll let you know if you're right when all the votes are in. ;~)

Renee: I've tried reading while on a treadmill but I can't seem to focus with my eyes bobbing up and down.

Patti: That's 3 votes for treadmill. Hey...my underwear is less revealing than some of those supposed exercise outfits I see at the Y.

Only oldest: What happened to your commitment to exercise...you know...walking, swimming???

Anonymous said...

now that the pool is being heated at the park I plan on trying it out Saturday morning. If it works, I will do it every evening.

Walking is another story.

Pam said...

The guilt was too much. I say you got on the treadmill.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

hi joan, the golf course is behind our condo, it is the president in lands of the president in west palm beach. it was wiped out in the two hurricanes two years ago and is now being redone by robert trent jones. it should be good after that!!

smiles, bee

Joan said...

Only oldest: Can't wait to hear about your swim.

Pam: Yet another vote for the treadmill...you all have a whole lotta faith in me.

Empress bee: Thanks for the info...wow...two hurricanes. How did your condo do during the storms?

Linda said...

Wow - book or treadmill? Book or treadmill? Hmmm ... this is a tough one! I am going to guess that perhaps the guilt got the better of you and you decided to spend the rest of Hubby's workout taking a leisurely stroll on the treadmill. Either that or you leisurely strolled to the lobby with your book and let your fingers do the walking! How's that for a definitive answer??

Okay, throw my vote in with the treadmills just because it has to go somewhere!

Joan said...

Linda: Wow...the treadmill vote seems to be heading toward a landslide. It's so tough to make a decision sometimes...particularly at election time. I guess maybe I should have had a "none of the above" choice.

Iamthebookworm said...

Did you read your book ON the treadmill?

Joan said...

Iamthebookworm: If only I could do two things at once...a multi-tasker I'm not!!!