Working Out

Why do we allow ourselves to be intimidated by walking into a gym?? I have been going to the gym and working out for the last 16 years. I have been through three pregnancies, which means my body has changed in short periods of time at least 3 times and gaining almost 50lbs with each of those pregnancies. Moving to Italy meant having to find a new gym. I did research on the area we would be living in and asked a ton of questions to the spouses that were already living in Italy. But the common response I found was that there were no gyms like we have in America that offer childcare while the parents workout. I shared this information with David and his reaction was to just buy everything for us to have our own CrossFit gym at our house once we got to Italy. At first I thought he was joking but then I got excited when I knew he was serious. A big stress for a lot of parents is knowing whether their kids are going to be in good hands while they workout. So either David and I would never be able to workout together in Italy because we can’t bring the children or we can buy what we want and workout together at home while the kids play. I am sure the kids will want to join in on the fun once we receive our shipment with all of the workout equipment. 

Anywho, the point of this post was to talk about feeling intimidated going into a gym. When we arrived in Italy David went to check out the two gyms and report back to me what they were like and how the kid area looked (a large mat in a closed off area, with little to no toys, and supervised by you the parent while attempting to workout with the limited workout equipment in that room). Fun, I think not. That wasn’t even worth me going to the gym, I wouldn’t get through one workout with Nico and Jacoby fenced in right next to me while I worked out. So there are two gyms here. The “Mom gym” which is where the kid area is and the “CrossFit” gym which is located in an actual hanger. Until our workout equipment arrives I have been getting up at 4am so I can go to the gym and be back before David has to leave for work. I love this, I am a morning person for sure. Always have been and I hope I always will be. 

"Mom Gym...AKA the Fitness Center"

CrossFit Gym

The first day I went to the “Mom gym” I walked on a treadmill. I walked around looking at the limited equipment and the people standing by waiting to use that equipment. I used a rower and headed home for the day. It didn’t feel like a productive workout but that’s okay, I was able to do a ton of cardio and check out the gym. I went home and told David it sucked and I wasn’t going to waste my time going there. He told me to go check out the other gym. Which by the way, isn’t just a CrossFit gym. They have a ton of weights, cardio machines, and anything else I could possibly need. In addition to this half of that gym (hanger) is a CrossFit gym. It’s open to anyone anytime, and if a class starts you just can’t be in their way. I love this gym. The first day walking in there I felt like a purple haired girl wearing a name badge that said “First Time Gym User!” Haha only because I was walking on a treadmill and looking for all of my familiar workout equipment all the while not knowing one person in the entire place. Y’all I am not the only person that gets up at 4am to workout. I scoped the place out and did a short WOD off in my own area of the CrossFit gym. But I have to share with you. All the while I felt like I stood out like a sore thumb even though I probably didn’t. No one probably hesitated that there was a new face in the building, this is a military gym. There are people coming and going all the time. That first workout I did was short and sweet. I started off with wall balls. https://youtu.be/UUo2ONp4iGc Here is a link if you are wondering what a wall ball should actually look like. 

Friends, the wall balls they have here compared to the ones at my gym from back home are huge. The first time I threw the ball up and went to catch it my face caught it, knocking me back onto my butt. I was fine, it’s okay for you to laugh, I know I did. I sat there for a minute wondering how many people saw that, if any. Without looking around I stood back up and began my workout again. I went home that morning and shared all of this with David, whom by the way laughed also and asked me what I did. He did try to make me feel a little better agreeing that their wall balls are huge. The next day I went back to the same gym but on the way I reminded myself that God made me. He made me just the way I am so His light can shine through me. I can be comfortable in this gym just like my last gym, not because I know anyone but because we are all there with the same purpose. The last two workouts have been even better. I walked in and feel great. I leave feeling great. I am so glad this gym is here and not just the "Mom Gym." I can’t wait for our other shipment of household items to arrive so then David and I can workout together. 

No matter if you are a gym rat or have never stepped foot in a gym. It’s okay. I still to this day look up workouts and watch videos online to make sure I am doing the exercises correctly. Did I mention I have been working out for 16 years. Don’t let the intimidation of a building or the people in it stop you from being the best you that you can be. Take care of your body and if you need a laugh or when you feel really awkward walking into the gym just picture my face catching the wall ball and knocking me back on my butt. 

Thanks for reading, have a blessed day!