So. I have this gym membership and as I run around the track, I pass all these people in crossfit training class, which is in the center of the track.

I see sweat rolling off these peoples faces, backs, and I don't want to know where. I could even slip and die if I'm not careful, in said sweat. Their bodies make She-Ra and He-Man want to vomit in muscle envy and I am sure that sugar and fat are just as bad swear words as the naughtiest of swear words.

The repetitions seem endless. The agony on each face very real, some with almost a mania. Their breathing is so intense you see all those accessory muscles trying to help out, like some chronic smoker with COPD. My version of purgatory, I tell you.

I am not really criticizing here. In fact, I admire the strength of character and the determination and fortitude required to have a body in such peak condition. I studied health sciences and value being fit and eating well. Just maybe a bit extreme for me.

I, myself, feel as though I am on a hamster wheel as I try to take advantage of the daycare to reclaim several years worth of less than stellar physical activity.

The point of all these descriptors? As I endlessly run in boredom, I start to think about all the waste of energy we collectively spend in a gym that could be used on more useful projects. My imagination sees me slenderizing while I supply elderly people with wood for their fire instead of them struggling to pay for gas. I see these muscle guys volunteering with the group that builds houses for injured veterans that can't be mobile in their current homes. Just think of how sore your muscles are when you paint ceilings and walls. We could paint the entire down town area and improve our neighborhoods. Digging trenches for sprinklers, yard work, pruning overgrowth, maintaining trails etc-on a volunteer basis can maintain fitness, but are activities that are purposeful and benefit more than ourselves.

Hey.
It worked in Karate Kid, right?? Wax on, wax off. Accomplishing something. (I don't know about standing on one foot on logs, though. Don't call me on it.)

Or at least having fun like in soccer or football or anything other, really, than endless reps and endless circles around the track.

Basically, I just hate exercising in the gym and miss things like hiking, playing a game of frisbee football, going snowboarding, taking a walk that lasts more than two blocks, and really any activity that lasts more than 15 minutes. I tried to help with the cutting up/loading/ hauling away of all the trees that fell down in our area and spent most of my time helping my children, which is how it should be-and I love it. It is just such a sedentary role. They want to be held a lot. They need a lot of face time and attention. They want to interact-at all times. This is why even though I have a perfectly good double seater running stroller and a portable dvd player and toys galore, I still can't run outside, because remember 15 min? And that is the extreme end of patience, they would be glad to be home after about 10 minutes.

I guess I'm writing all this to remind myself why in the world I take myself to the place of useless pain and energy waste.

Oh yes! I remember the first game of racquetball I had with my husband there. We both looked at each other, incredulous. We two, together, having fun, minus children. It was liberating and I felt guilty for feeling it. Most days he works, so we only do that about once or twice a week, but even when I am running circles and attending classes where ladies scream at me to "hit it!" and "push, push, push", (lamaze class, anyone?) I am thankful for a little break so that I can come back stronger to my little lovies and hear them say "I missed you mommy, but we had fun doing....etc." and seeing them learn that I really will come back every time. I have been so concerned about attachment, you see. Allowing gym daycare has been a stretch for my overprotective mommy self.

My husband read through the above and said "I still don't know what the point of this entry is." So I'll tell you. It is that I ramble a lot. Also, if you don't have children and can pursue other pursuits, why are you spending time in the gym?? Why?? For the love!

You see this package? The perfect treat. If you are a glutton, the fiber will punish you. I have been punished, but I still love you little coconuts. Even though you have 55% of daily fiber in one oh so small serving.

Words

We were having fun at lunch today and remembering how the littles used to say their words when they were even littler. They all wanted to know what they said "cute." So I thought I should put it down since I am forgetting so fast.

Goosie- Currently calls her thumb her "flum"

Bitty- "Does this food have any 'fiver'?" (fiber)

Bryguy- libary

Claus- slammitch. As in "Can you please make me a slammitch?" This is one of my all time faves.

Babs- I couldn't remember one. I'll have to dig out my journal. But I do remember the pained look on her face as her toddler friends mispronounced words and I would see her mouth the right way to herself. She has always been good with words. No babbling or such for her. It was kinda sad. Actually, I just remembered that she mispronounced library too, but she added too many syllables. It was "libe-er-ary"

Then they asked about M'deary and me. I told them gramma said that I called fingers "thingers" and when we were married, I had to inform M'deary that "plogged" wasn't actually a word. (He made me look it up to be sure) It is a smashing together of plugged and clogged. I still don't think he quite believes me.

I will have to rack my brains to think of more. It was one of the things that kept me going when they were so little-yet so frustrating; to enjoy the funny words that were derivatives of real words.