Working Out

Seeing this sign almost always makes me happy. I associate going to the gym with feeling physically good, being proud of myself for making the time to take care of my body, and with having fun. I didn't always feel that way though. There was a time when going to the gym caused me anxiety- I didn't know how to use much of the equipment and I didn't believe that I belonged there. Several years back, a friend and co-worker who is interested in fitness took the time to go to the gym with me and helped me develop familiarity with the equipment and a good work out plan. Now going to the gym feels really comfortable; the Y feels like "my place", and instead of bringing me anxiety, it is just the thing to relieve it. Although I am pretty dedicated to working out, there are times when I slip up and make excuses in my own mind about how I am "too busy" or "too tired" to go (sometimes this is legitimate, but often I could re-work my schedule to fit it in if it is truly a priority to me).  Goal #8: to work out at the gym at least twice a week during the rainy season. (I'm only including the rainy season in this goal because I think I may end up spending a lot of the summer on the water working on my paddleboard!). This goal should be easy since I am already meeting it most of the time, but I think having it on the list will help me to make working out a priority at those times when making excuses is easier.