Thoughts on gyms and self-image

So I joined a gym! Thanks for your input, Rischa - I was especially concerned with contracts due to the fact that I might travel next year and don't want to be stuck paying for months that I can't use.

I ended up picking New York Sports Club for a couple reasons. First, this is the birthday present from The Folks and since they're paying, I thought I could rule out Lucille Roberts. It's a decent club, but sort of run-down and their weekend hours were really limited. (I think they close at 3 pm on weekends). The Rock (near me) was super expensive. Also, my father told me he recommended NYSC because then I could use it in different locations. Since he's paying for this gift, I figured I should go with his suggestion. The registration was $59 and then I think it's $60/month. So while it's not cheap, I do like the atmosphere and layout and classes and I think (hope!) it will be worth it. I've lost five pounds so far by trying a little harder to think about what I am eating, so I think the next five pounds might be lost through actual exercise. Who knows?

In celebration of embarking on this new step of physical education, I shall post one of my favorite and most gratuitous/ridiculous music videos about a workout class:




On a more serious note, I want to lose weight to look and feel better, but for another really important reason as well. When I look at slender or fit women, I get really jealous - but not because I wish I looked like them.

The reason I'm jealous is because I assume that these women don't spend 75% of their day worried about their bodies. I can't help but think that their weight is NOT what takes up most of their precious brain-time. I have so much useful energy that gets wasted because I'm freaked out about how I look! It must be so nice to put on shorts and just go outside - or to have a bathing suit be just another form of attire. It's possible that I'm romanticizing the lives of others (it's a habit of mine) but I have to say, losing some mental baggage is something I'm looking forward to and hopefully working towards.