Crystal clear: Mom trades cop-outs for cardio

By Crystal Lewis Brown, Fort Jackson LeaderNovember 19, 2009

Mom trades cop-outs for cardio
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Last Friday evening, I couldn't breathe. I felt as if my lungs were on fire, and my heart was thumping so fast, it seemed as though if I looked down at my shirt, I'd see my heart beating through it.

And that was only about 20 minutes into the hour-long fitness class described by the instructor as "easy and fun."

I'd been threatening to join a gym for months. But my quest for a smaller waistline was outweighed by another of my quirks - my frugality. I contemplated for months whether

I'd join an off-post gym, which was close to my house; or join the on-post gym, which was farther from home, but only charged a nominal fee for fitness classes.

Last week, however, I got a wake-up call. I don't know if it was the harsh lights of the dressing room or the full-size mirror, but while trying on clothes, I realized just how out of shape I'd become. The bowl of ice cream here, the bag of chips there, had all caught up with me. I looked, and felt, more out of shape last month than I did the month after I gave birth. I decided right then and there, that I would go to the gym. And the next day, I did.

What made the decision even easier is that Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation is offering all fitness classes throughout the month for free, with no limit on how many classes can be taken. That is in addition to the use of the gym equipment, which is always free for ID card holders.

I was all out of excuses, and trust me, I had lots. Two weeks ago, I couldn't work out because of my new hairdo - which was attained after four hours of blow drying, flat ironing and trimming. Before that, I couldn't wake up early enough to go. And even before that, my excuse was finding child care.

I've had everyone from my mom, to my husband; to a command sergeant major give me tips and helpful advice about how I could squeeze exercise into my busy day. But I had to make the decision on my own to do something for myself - something that would not only make me look and feel better, but would improve my overall health.

FMWR's fitness classes also make working out easier. The are a variety of classes offered at the several on post gyms to fit nearly any schedule. Often, gyms and classes are intimidating, but the variety of folks who attend eased my self-consciousness. People of varying ages and fitness levels, male and female, were in the class I attended. And we were all able to participate to the best of our abilities, without being judged.

I won't lie and pretend that after two weeks in the gym, I'm now a fitness buff. I still hate the gym. And I still hate working out. But when I'm sweating at the end of my walk/run on the treadmill or gulping down water after a workout class, I feel a sense of satisfaction.

And once I can walk around my neighborhood or run up my stairs without gasping for air, it will be worth it.