Getting Naked

On Tuesday I conquered the Silver Sneakers exercise class. Well, that’s using the term loosely, as I already wrote about how those “seniors” kicked my butt! Today was hard, too, but it was good.

Yesterday was pool day. I have been looking forward to it ever since I got the bug to join the Y. Water aerobics, stretching and flexing is great for the body. But, I admit it…I was apprehensive about getting naked in front of a bunch of people I didn’t know. Shoot, I’d be apprehensive in front of people I DO know…maybe more so. But, those of us who reach our senior years and are obese and have dimples in all the wrong places are probably a bit more worried about the locker room than young ladies with trim and firm bodies.

I had to wait several days to get to the class and that made it worse. Gosh…should I put my things in a bag? Will I need a locker? Put my suit on first? Wear a wet suit home? Etc., etc.! I knew there were no individual shower stalls and no curtains, as I’d seen that the other day when I was there, but I was in the locker room alone that day. What to do, what to do!!

I tried positive self talk: I am brave! I am brave! I have confidence in myself. I am no worse than anyone else (okay, that one is kind of borderline, but I used it). I timed my arrival to be at the same time as others getting there. At least I’d hoped I would, and it worked. I followed the women upstairs to the locker room, put things away and took my clothes off. Yes, I had my suit on under my clothing, but brought clothes to put on afterwards. We took our showers, went to the pool and enjoyed 45 minutes of good exercise. Our corner of the pool was full!!

When we were finished we trooped upstairs and everyone, and I mean everyone except one woman (she went in the bathroom stall), stripped naked and took a shower. One lady had trouble getting her suit off. I think she is recovering from a stroke. It was very touching to see two of the other women help her with her suit and make sure she didn't slip on the tile. We talked and laughed, padded back to the lockers, got dressed and put our things away. No one paid one bit of attention to what I looked like naked!! A couple of women invited me to go to Perkins with them for a late breakfast, but I declined. I knew where that would lead: food that I hadn't planned on and didn't need. Told them thanks and I’d try it another day.

On my way home, I told myself, I am brave, I am confident, and it really is true…I’m no worse and no better than any of the other women in that locker room. And once again, it has proven to be true, that what you worry about seldom happens and is pretty much wasted energy. I’m looking forward to getting back to that pool tomorrow!!