Gym Forecast: Mostly Clear With a Chance of Busy

One week into 2009, and my spidey-sense says that some new year's resolutions are beginning to falter. No, I'm not psychic, so how do I know? Simple. Gym attendance.

On the 1st, despite my fear that it would be a zoo, I went to the gym early in the afternoon. People would be sleeping off the hangovers that resulted from the previous night's partying. Lo and behold, I was right. Skipped the next day, but went on Saturday morning. My logic for Saturday told me to be cautious about my time selection, so I went early enough that by the time I slipped out the gym door, everyone and their mamas were swarming into the athletic club.

With Monday being the first Monday of the new year, I was positive that workouts would peak shortly after the workday was over. Fortunately, I took that day off from work, so I hit the gym around 11am. Thank goodness no one in their right minds works out at lunch time, because the place was buzzing but not busy. As I left, I felt satisfaction in knowing that I would not have to deal with the chaos that I'm sure was expected later that night.

Tuesday after work the athletic club was bustling. I ended up having to park a quarter of a mile from the facility, it seemed. People were rushing in and out looking lost and frazzled with the same expression as that of shoppers on Christmas Eve. Often times when I cut through crowds that appear hectic, upset, or unhappy, I like to look people right in the eyes as they pass me and smile cute to see if it changes their expressions. On that day, I did just that. Only a couple of folks were receptive, but they made my day. Despite the impatience present in the ladies' locker room and the wait for occupied cardio machines, those smiles from earlier made my time at the gym a bit more tolerable.

I skipped working out on Wednesday. Typically, I like to break my exercise routine midweek so I can catch up on rest and relaxation. That, plus my hamstrings and adductors were killing me. I must have overdone the squats the day before. Until today, they're still stiff, but I don't care - I slept 10 hours on Wednesday night. Now that's rewarding!

So today is one week from January 1st, and the gym appeared less packed and more like a reflection of its October self. Are gym-goers really starting to trickle out of their new routines? Perhaps some of them overdid it the first few days, or even injured themselves (knocking on wood!). As I ran today, I felt a sense of pride in knowing that I am not a gym newbie, and that when the gym newbs cycle back around again next year, I'll still be the gal running her (hopefully smaller) booty off on the treadmill.