The combination of too little sleep, too much coffee, too much pre-prepared food and too little exercise may finally be catching up with me. My back hurts (between the shoulder blades), my digestive system is a mess (I’ll spare you the details), and I felt a tightness in my chest yesterday that could have been gas, or a heart attack. Since I’m still here and the tightness is not, I’ll vote for gas.

Okay, maybe I’m being a big melodramatic (who, me?), but let’s face it, I’m not getting any younger and I can’t get away with the things I used to.

When Erin first told me she was joining a gym, I was immediately jealous. Since my college days I have been in varying degrees of “in shape” – with my peak probably being the year I lived in New York City. Alone and broke I did the thing any reasonable 22 year old would do – I joined the local gym. I worked out nearly everyday and regularly ferried myself around the island on my rollerblades.

I tried joining a gym when Steve and I first got married – but I found instead of being an encouraging influence on each other, we managed to work together to figure out how to avoid going to the gym. What a team!

Since then I’ve tried walking in the morning (it didn’t last.)… I’ve rollerbladed (sporadically), ridden my bike with the kids (slowly) and skied (rarely). These days my idea of a work out is taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

I don’t think anything can really beat the feeling of a great workout – the pain of pushing yourself through it and the triumph and sense of accomplishment when you’ve finished.

So, I told my husband that I wanted to join Erin’s gym. Want to know his reaction?

“You aren’t going to go” and “when are you going to find the time?”

Nice.

What am I supposed to say to that? He’s correct that my track record isn’t great. And the only way I would be able to find the time is if he helps me. Because, like must people who work full-time, I don’t have the luxury to go exercise in the middle of the day (there’s that jealousy again) or pull my bicycle out for a quick lunch time ride (my husband’s favorite activity).

So. I’ve decided to take the first step and at least take a look at Erin’s gym. I’ve signed up for a free trial membership. I’ve made a plan with Steve and I’m optimistic… now if I could only find my sneakers.