Ode to Curves

What are you thinking about today?  I have been thinking about inspiration.  I signed up for a race at the end of March.  There are days when training seems like a pain, but I am doing it anyway.  And I ask myself, how do I get out the door when I don't feel like doing it?  Well first of all, I don't always succeed in getting out the door, but when I do, I am thinking about one of two things:

Nike

- OR-

My Mother.

Nike is obvious.  Just Do It is the best slogan ever. Don't ask questions, don't hesitate, don't allow your mind to say "but I don't feel like it." Just Do It. 

Mother, not so obvious.  My mother has never been an exerciser, per se.  I did not really understand that people "worked out" until I went to college.  All of a sudden I was surrounded by people - women mostly - who at some point in the day would choose to torture themselves at a gym or by running somewhere with no goal other than to run ("Are you going to get milk?" I would ask.  "Um, no, I am going for a run."  "Why run when you can walk?"  "Are you a moron, it's running for running's sake."  "Oh.")

So being a bit of a follower, I started to run.  I always wanted somewhere to go when I ran, but over time I realized that when you run, that is the very purpose.  It is the end and the means. 

Back to Mother - I did not grow up in a family that worked out.  So recently, out of the blue, I am talking to my mother on the phone, asked her what she was doing that day and she rattled off a few things and then said:

"And I am going to Curves."

"Where?  Is that a store?"

"No, it's Curves.  It's a gym."

"Are you getting a gift certificate for someone?"

"No.  I am going to go to Curves for myself."

"What will you do there?"

"Workout...are you feeling OK?  You seem a little slow right now."

"Yes I am fine.  Just interesting that you are going to a gym.  Who would have thought."

"Well, I have been going for a while.  And I like it.  I don't sweat much, but I think it helps."

Interesting, I thought to myself.  My mother has picked up a new habit.  Going to the gym.  Out of nowhere.  Now my mother is not old by any stretch.  Mom is young and cute and spry, and fashionable.  She is like Audrey Hepburn mixed with a sassy take no crap flight attendant.  But speaking honestly (because I normally lie profusely), picking up new habits is not something I would have expected from her.  And I was excited for her.  And proud.  And inspired. 

So now I find that whenever I don't feel like working out, or when faced with trying something new and I sense internal resistance, I think of my mom going to Curves.  And I am out the door.