My 100th Post

I have tried really hard to come up with 100 things about myself to entertain you with today. I have not had the time. Nor the time to read all my friends, nor to comment. I need to stay up all night sometime to catch up, but that isn't too practical an idea. I think I will post 10 at a time for the next 10 posts, if you don't mind (well, let me know soon, because I'll do it anyway, I guess).

When I was at the gym this morning, I was reminiscing about my journey to exercise and fitness, albeit with many detours along the way. I grew up in a family that was not athletic. I was always a klutz, self-conscious, and the last one chosen for any team at recess or in P.E. That doesn't do much for a girl's self-esteem. I hated organized sports, and feared the ball (softball or volleyball) was going to hit me in the face and break my glasses.

I had a few short moments of minor success in high school P.E. (called phy ed. in Minnesota, phys. ed. in Nebraska) when I grew to my lofty height and could actually hit the basket during the basketball unit. But that was short lived.

It wasn't until I was in my early thirties that I decided I needed to begin an exercise program. I bought a good pair of shoes and began walking the neighborhood while DC watched the kids. I think I've mentioned before that it became a time of solitude for me and I began to really enjoy it. I was walking 4 miles a day for a long time, as I listened to good music on the old fashioned Walkman.

At a later date, I joined an aerobics class at a church and went 3 times a week with a bunch of Christian women who really did more chatting than bouncing - well, they tried to do it at the same time, but I am not sure how effective the exercise was! I had to quit that during a particularly difficult time in life when I needed to be at home right after work. More about that probably in later posts.

Later, Kev and I joined the health club together. It was fun and he was encouraging. He left town and I continued for several years. It was expensive, but it was good motivation. I enjoyed the "quiet room" there, where I didn't have to watch the jocks heave and grunt their way to huge muscles.

Fitness 19 came to town and their opening offer was so appealing - lifetime low rate, never to go up. It's not fancy like the health club, but it has everything I need. No quiet room, but you can't everything. I didn't need the sauna, the pool, the racquet ball room, the basketball court, the classes. So this works just fine, thank you very much.

I was thinking of all this as I worked with the weight machines this morning. When I am doing the stationary bike and the simulated foot-in-place running (can't think of the name of it!), I am able to read. I can't do the treadmill because of an injury to my left foot that just never completely healed. It can't take the pounding.

But I have to tell you, I love to people watch. I love to go to the zoo and watch the people even more than the animals. The airport is a great place to observe the human animal. You know I enjoy student-watching (which I will miss now that I won't have lunch hour on campus with my new schedule), and watching people exercise is very entertaining! I just hope NOBODY'S WATCHING ME!

There's the HUGE guy who used to come into the quiet room and do some exercises on the big ball - back on the ball, head the other direction, lower body covered in very tight Spandex points - are you getting the picture?? I had to keep my eyes on my book when he came in - it was revolting!!

Then there's the guy who sits on one of the machines, does a round of arm stuff, then sits for a good ten minutes before the next round - tying up that machine for many more minutes than he should when there are people who want to use it. He's a big, tattooed, pony-tailed, bearded guy that I don't want to cross! (not that there's anything wrong with any of those things!)

There was a well-proportioned young woman this morning with white shorts and the mini top, sashaying on her machine. I really don't think it was proper form, but I'll bet she was getting plenty of attention!

My favorite, though, is the guy who sits at every weight machine, setting it at the highest weight possible, and making the most incredible grimacing faces as he does the routine. Hilarious! I'd love to take a picture on the sly. I doubt he knows he's even doing it.

Well, as I said, I hope nobody's watching me!

First 10 things about me that you may or may not know:

1. I am the first born of 5 children - 2 girls and 3 boys.
2. My dad was in the Navy when I was born.
3. He hitch-hiked home to be at my birth, but I was late and he had to get to base.
4. His request for an extension had been granted, but he didn't know it until he got back to Corpus Christi, Texas.
5. His CO was a kind man and let him come back to Minnesota to see me.
6. He was 21, Mom was 18.
7. When he got out of the Navy, he went to Bible College. We lived in the basement of the Boy's Dorm - 3 kids by then.
8. My sister was born 2 weeks to the day before my first birthday - we loved being the same age for two weeks. Still do, I guess!
9. My first brother was born on Halloween the next year.
10. We moved to Arkansas when I was 4. We used to sing in country schools when Mom and Dad went out with Child Evangelism to teach them Bible lessons and help them earn their way to camp. (Those were some good days, when you could do that in schools).

TO BE CONTINUED

Hop on over to Kristen's and read about our invitation to join us for a blogger get-together at some point in the future, if you are interested. We'd love to have you come and visit!