BACK TO THE GYM

My last experience with gym membership did not result in the slender and strong body that I thought would be my reward for joining. Seems it takes a lot more effort than signing the form and paying the fees.

So, I am back. Our Medicare Advantage Plan pays for the membership through the Silver Sneakers program in hopes that they will save money on future preventable medical expenses. I sign up with the intention of doing my part to help our struggling health insurance industry.

As I enter the Sanctuary of Fitness, a very nice Young Guy approaches and offers to assist me in getting my membership established. It is computerized and he assumes that an older woman won’t know how to manage that. He never actually looks me in the face and doesn’t ask any questions about my goals. I suspect there are not a lot of Silver Sneaker members who hire personal trainers, buy the fitness products, or pay $4 for a bottle of water. I am not a prospect for commissions, so the process moves quickly.

Martin walks by and says he is headed home. I mentioned to Young Guy that my husband joined the day before and I see that familiar look. Although Martin is actually 10 days older than me, I have been mistaken for his mother on more than one occasion. In my 30’s I was hurt. In my 40’s I was annoyed. In my 50’s I was defensive. In my 60’s I am flippant.

Young Guy masks his surprise and cautiously asks, “Was that your husband?” I sarcastically explain.  “I have worked hard to manage life with this man for almost 50 years. That kind of challenge and stress takes its toll on a woman. He, on the other hand, has had the joy and peace of living with me for those same years and it is obvious that his experience has been a visit to the fountain of youth.”

He finally looked me in the eyes and then he laughed.

He explains the phone app but then leads me through the finger ID process which he explains is mostly used by persons who aren’t comfortable with phone apps. I ignore the assumption that I might be one of those persons.

As I leave, the water aerobics instructor (a fellow old person) invites me to join her group. I have a brief flashback to another class in a pool.

Joe and I were signed up for swimming lessons when I was about 5 years old. We were both in the Galena Park pool and the instructor was telling us to put our faces in the water (oh dear) and then to jump in and bob up and down. I bobbed down but didn’t bob back up. Eventually, Joe dragged me to the edge of the pool and pushed me out. My cousin, Shirley stepped in and finished my lessons. And I never learned to swim.

But that was 60 years ago. Although I do still shower with my back to the water flow, I feel like I am ready for the mermaid challenge.

Next week - Water Aerobics.