The New Year...already "a pain" ?

"New year, new pain"...is that the saying? Oh yeah, it's "No pain, no gain."

Well as part of my goals for this year, I've finally joined a fitness center. I must be kidding myself to think that I actually have time to go there, but Jason is a fitness hound and has been badgering me for years that my efforts are completely unacceptable.

In his opinion, I will soon expire if I don't put down the pen and paper or books, and become serious about getting fit. How soon he forgets that I carry around 30 pound children all day long, even going so far as carrying a sleeping 30 pounder up the Great Wall and back and all throughout central China (not to mention, that I can hold him in a head lock that he can't break out of) ;-) But, my Ob/Gyn also agrees that I need to lift weights because my small bone structure puts me at higher risk for osteoporosis....I trust him, as he successfully delivered two of my children, so I accept his advice.

So, yesterday I announce "I'm going to join the fitness center" Jason's reply, "I'll believe it when I see it." Oh yeah? A challenge...so okay, here I go.

"I'm going to the gym" I say.
Ben---"NO! Don't gooooooo! Don't go to the gym!" (as if it would swallow me up and I'd never return).
The two older boys---"You're going to work out, Mom?" (with their jaws hanging open).
Lydia---"Bye-bye Mama" and blows me a kiss (she understands my need for a little encouragement).

As I left, Jason says, "Don't hurt yourself...you might overdo it. Just push the little red button on the wall and someone will surely come to help you" HA! I didn't fall for the sarcasm, but said "They really have those?" The whole time I was there, I imagined how embarrassing it would be, to require a "safety button" and have someone peel you up off of the track from over-exertion on your first day in the gym. Despite their mocking, I came back alive.

But today....the pain!! I think I did do too many push ups or tricep kick-backs (is that what the guy called them?). I woke up wondering why I couldn't bend my elbows...then realized I couldn't even lift my coffee cup up to my mouth...now, that is bad! I guess it's actually good. Anyway, the guys in my house were all satisfied that my muscles were screaming and rushed me out of the house again today....this time, I let my arms rest and tortured my legs instead....why am I doing this again? Oh yeah, bone health...and to keep the fitness buffs quiet :-)