Burn, Baby, Burn!

I've gone and done something that I have wanted to do for years. I am so excited that I can hardly type it out...I joined a GYM! That's right. A gym. Me. Micah. Micah joined a gym! I am pretty excited for many a-reason. I talked to John a few nights ago about this crazy idea that kept popping into my head. It has always been impossible to justify getting a gym membership because I am on the road Monday through Friday every week. Indeed, it would occasionally be possible to work out at the gym while on these said "road trips," but my schedule is not my own when I am at work. And sleep has an eerie way of becoming a priority when I fly until 3:00 AM and then have to get up at 6:30 AM to do it all again. However, during the last six months, (and I am not complaining here), I have been home. A LOT! Like more than the past two years combined! I think I had one week last year when we didn't fly. This year has been quite the opposite, for many reasons. I know the folks I fly around have had lots of projects keeping them busy here in town and haven't needed to travel as much. One of my frequent passengers (2-3 times per month for an entire week each trip) has been flying commercially more often to meet up with our smaller, cheaper airplane (our company has a fleet of four airplanes...a Beechjet (mine, pictured above), a Pilatus, and two Eclipse 500s). Ron is utilizing his Eclipse more, so now we usually only go if Joe needs to leave town. And, apparently, that need hasn't been as much as I have previously experienced. I have to admit, it's kinda nice being able to cook and clean and weed at my leisure. I feel like a WIFE! And not just some slacker who leaves her husband to fend for himself and eat frozen burritos and Digiorno pizza all week (just for the record, the aforementioned foods are two of his favorites and not forced upon him in any way...he would eat them when I was home if I would let him!).

Where was I? Oh, yes. Micah joined a gym!

Because of the extended yet unexpected periods of time that I am now enjoying at home, I convinced myself that a gym membership would finally be worth it! I did lots of research online between the various country-wide gyms and kept coming back to 24 Hour Fitness as my favorite. I was impressed with everything about it, and a new facility was built just eight months ago a few miles from my house. See how it's all falling into place (fate again)? Until, that is, I read the prices. Luckily, I had just finished my last donut and didn't have anything in my mouth to choke on when I saw how much they wanted! Phew! That was a close one! Upon further research, because I am one good (a.k.a. cheap) shopper, I found a deal through Costco that would provide a two-year membership for half the normal selling price! Before jumping the gun and buying the membership that second (believe me, it was hard), I printed a free 7-day trial pass to the gym to make sure it was up to my standards. Like I have gym standards! The only other thing I have to compare it to is my high school gym. 'Nuff said!

I pulled into the full parking lot this morning with a twinkle in my eye, iPod in my ears, and shiny printed free trial pass in my hand. I was given a tour of the facility by a friendly manager. The more I saw, the more I liked (who saw that one coming?). I then stayed for an hour to try out the machines. Yep. The Ellipticals are all in working order. From my brief glance in their direction, the treadmills seem to be operational as well (though with any luck I will never find that out through experience). They have aerobic classes and a basketball court and a swimming pool and spin sessions and every conceivable weight machine known to man! I was in heaven!

Posting while I was excited seemed to make sense...before the soreness hits in tomorrow! The workout was amazing! In fact, I went to Wal-Mart afterwards and couldn't lift a bottle of shampoo from the shelf! Mission accomplished! The Wal-Mart employees more than likely thought less of me as a person, but I will get over that eventually.

The potential results that will soon be on their way give me great excitement. I couldn't sleep last night in anticipation! I know it will change my life. Next time you see me, just ask to feel my biceps.