The More-Than-Capable Husband and the Personal Trainer

As part of the Lose to Win competition I signed up for a month ago, I get a free month of YMCA membership. At first I wasn't sure what to do with it. After all, Joshua's not a real fan of the nursery (any nursery, not just the Y nursery) and most of the classes were either early in the morning or during dinner. After thoroughly enjoying a 9:30 CardioPump class while Jay stayed home with the kids, I decided to make a concerted effort to attend more of the classes. My next effort was a 6:00 a.m. CardioPump class with Amber, a 4'8" British powerhouse who makes me feel like a palsied giraffe. But I loved it. I loved it so much that I now attend three 6:00 a.m. classes every week. Monday is Circuit Training, Wednesday is Step and Ball, and Thursday is Cardio Pump.

I am not a morning person, but this is by far the best self-care I've ever done. I get to listen to ESPN radio on the way to and from the Y, and I get to spend a whole hour just taking care of me. I feel better, I think I look better, and I'm pretty sure I'm more pleasant to be around. Of course I know how lucky I am, too. Jay gets up with Joshua and Clare and takes care of them so that I can have my hour of bliss, and then cooks a wonderful breakfast when I get home. Not all women are so lucky.

Yesterday I showed up for the Circuit class at 6:00 a.m. only to realize that I was the only one there. The only thing more grueling than circuit training is circuit training with a butt-kicking instructor who now has you one-on-one. There was no way to hide, no way to avoid scrutiny. But she was gentle to this poor soul and I left feeling wonderful.

Who knew the kindest thing I could do for myself was get up at 5:30 and have someone torture me for an hour? I never would've guessed, but I'm glad I figured it out. And I'm glad I have a family who makes helps me make it happen.