So, I get major anxiety about being late to workout classes. It’s part of the reason I don’t like going to workout classes on weeknights. By lunchtime, I’m already stressed out about getting out of work on time and traffic is such a crapshoot…it just makes the whole “stress relief” aspect of exercise kind of a wash.
But! This afternoon at the last minute I decided haul ass across town to DEFINEbody for a weeknight workout class anyway. I left work early enough that getting there on time shouldn’t have been a problem. But even though I made it through the first two highways without incident, I find I can’t calm down until I can physically see the studio because Houston traffic can seriously squash your workout plans when you’re less than a mile away. In this case, I was right to be worried; the last five minutes turned into the last ten minutes and I ended up walking into the packed class exactly one minute late. I felt like I had lost a competition with…time? Traffic? I don’t know. Plus, classes at DEFINE require a ton of props, so I had to be That Girl as I collected all my stuff.
I’d like to say that getting there was half the battle, but it wasn’t….staying there was. That class was hard. I had never taken a class with this instructor before but apparently the class was packed because a lot of Houston area women do not fuck around when it comes to thighs and glutes. I was dying. By the time we got to the final portion, abs, I was ready to call it a day. Also, I hate doing abs in any and all circumstances.
I was a little cranky at the end of class because I wasn’t looking forward to driving back across town, but luckily, the endorphins kicked in, and by the time I made it back to the Beltway, my mood had vastly improved. (I think listening the Electric Guest album had something to do with it too…I just discovered them recently and I really like them.) By the time I walked in the house, I was feeling pretty positive about life…and then there was pizza! This day is really turning out to be kind of great.
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I have that same anxiety! I’ve actually gotten to my studio before and turned around because I was a few minutes late. It isn’t far from my house but I always underestimate how long it takes to get there. Glad your day was great!
ooh pizza! I’m right there with you. I generally don’t like classes for the same reason, that and your other reason, the pain where I feel like I can’t make it through the whole thing. I generally dislike going to movies for the same reason, I don’t want to be tied to a schedule when it doesn’t have to do with work. Actually, I don’t like having to be anywhere at a specific time because I hate being late, but feel really uncomfortable being early. Especially at work because somehow I often can’t leave on time. I’m not even sure I know what leaving on time would feel like except that I know the bus isn’t as full and or I don’t have to skip three buses because they are too full, if I make out to the stop by 5:05.
I digress. You’re right, despite all the anxiety to get there, it’s always worth it at the end. Oh, I really wish I had a yoga class to go to tonight, I really think that would improve my mood. Does pizza pair well with champagne?
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“Actually, I don’t like having to be anywhere at a specific time because I hate being late, but feel really uncomfortable being early.”
Yes!! I feel so similarly!
Also I feel like both pizza and champagne pair well with everything so I have to assume they go well together!
“Made it back to the Beltway.” I don’t often regret moving to our apartment in Spring, but knowing that we could have been neighbors…. I’m totally sad about that! I need a workout buddy.
Now I want to run out and take a class! I wish I’d spent my Thursday night workout out instead of going out!!!
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Oooh going out sounds pretty fun too! (And, frankly, I need more motivation to go out than to take a workout class.)
I have the same anxiety about making it to evening classes, for me because the trains can be so erratic (especially post-Sandy). I know how you feel. I’ve been purposely going to super-late classes just so I can be sure I’ll have plenty of time to get there, but then I get home at like 9:30 pm and have to first calm down and eat dinner. But it’s always worth it in the end!
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I think a LOT of people have stress about showing up late. I teach a fitness class and people are always apologizing for it..which is funny because I actually don’t mind. Also, people always warn me if they have to walk out early so I don’t get offended, which I think is really sweet but also kind of funny, because it never actually occurred to me that I should be offended over such a thing. I suppose people in Minnesota are just overly polite!
I used to teach a class in Seattle where this one woman would literally show up for the last ten minutes of a 60-minute class. EVERY single day. And then she would come up to the very front of the room and just GO for it…while wearing nothing but a sports bra and spandex booty shorts. It was too funny! I didn’t have a problem with it, but eventually had to sit her down and talk to her about it as everyone taking the class DID have a problem with it. Ha!
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Ha, I’ve told yoga instructors that I need to leave early! I don’t know, if it’s someone I see regularly, I just want them to know I’m not sick/injured or not liking the class. (I’ve also done it to hint at the fact that the classes were running way over time.)
What was her reason for coming in that late!? That’s absolutely hilarious. I honestly don’t care as a class participant when people show up late or leave early…I assume they have shit to do and if the best they can do is half the class, that’s still something for them, you know?
i HATE being late to classes. 95% of the time I just won’t even go because I hate it so much!
BTW, I’m pretty sad that we don’t live near each other now that I’ve met you IRL. Just thought I’d tell you that. :)
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