MY EXERCISE DIARY
- W
Bruce Cameron relates how he tried to get in shape earlier this
year ...
For Christmas
last year my wife bought me a week of private lessons at the local
health club. Though still in great shape from when I was on the chess
team in high school, I decided that I'd go ahead and try it as a New
Year's Resolution type of thing.
I called
and made reservations with someone named Tanya, who said she was a
26-year-old aerobics instructor and athletic clothing model. My wife
seemed very pleased with how enthusiastic I was to get started.
Day 1. They suggest I keep this "exercise diary"
to chart my progress this week. Started the morning at 6am. Tough
to get up, but worth it when I arrived at the health club and Tanya
was waiting for me. She's something of a goddess, with blonde hair
and a dazzling white smile. She showed me the machines and took my
pulse after five minutes on the treadmill. She seemed a little alarmed
that it was so high, but I think just standing next to her in that
outfit of hers added about 10 points. Enjoyed watching the aerobics
class. Tanya was very encouraging as I did my sit-ups, though my gut
was already aching a little from holding it in the whole time I was
talking to her. This is going to be great.
Day 2. Took a whole pot of coffee to get me out the door, but
I made it. Tanya had me lie on my back and push this heavy iron bar
up into the air. Then she put weights on it, for heaven's sake! Legs
were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made it the full mile.
Her smile made it all worth it. Muscles feel great.
Day 3. The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush
on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I am certain
that I have developed a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was okay
as long as I didn't try to steer. I parked on top of a Volkswagen.
Tanya was a little impatient with me and said my screaming was bothering
the other club members. The treadmill hurt my chest so I did the stair
monster. Why would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity
rendered obsolete by the invention of elevators? Tanya told me regular
exercise would make me live longer. I can't imagine anything worse.
Day 4. Tanya was waiting for me with her vampire teeth in a
full snarl. I can't help it if I was half an hour late, it took me
that long just to tie my shoes. She wanted me to lift dumbbells. Not
a chance, Tanya. The word "dumb" must be in there for a
reason. I hid in the men's room until she sent Lars looking for me.
As punishment she made me try the rowing machine. It sank.
Day 5. I hate Tanya more than any human being has ever hated
any other human being in the history of the world. If there was any
part of my body not in extreme pain I would hit her with it. She thought
it would be a good idea to work on my triceps. Well I have news for
you Tanya - I don't have triceps. And if you don't want dents in the
floor don't hand me any barbells. I refuse to accept responsibility
for the damage, YOU went to sadist school, YOU are to blame. The treadmill
flung me back into a science teacher, which hurt like crazy. Why couldn't
it have been someone softer, like a music teacher, or social studies?
Day 6. Got Tanya's message on my answering machine, wondering
where I am. I lacked the strength to use the TV remote so I watched
11 straight hours of the weather channel.
Day 7. Well, that's the week. Thank God that's over. Maybe
next time my wife will give me something a little more fun, like free
teeth drilling at the dentist's.
www.wbrucecameron.com
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