Dumb Stuff I've Done In The Gym

This time of year a lot of people are contemplating starting or returning to the gym.  A new year gives us all the desire for a fresh start on health goals we've been putting off during the holiday season.  I've had a lot of friends tell me they are ready to start, but they're just plain nervous about being in the gym.   It can be an intimidating place...you don't always know what you're doing, you might not have the right shoes or clothes, you don't know how to use most of the equipment and you don't want to look like a loser in front of those who do, maybe even the mere thought of Step class has you shaking in your Nikes.  Never fear!  I had all of these hang ups and then some, but after time and perseverance, my gym is now my happy place. It didn't happen overnight or without embarrassing incident. So, in case you're intimidated or nervous to enter the fitness zone, here is a list of dumb stuff I've done in the gym and survived:

• Ate chili for lunch a half hour before meeting my trainer.  Burpees were on tap that day and I just about made them literal.
• Flew off the back of a treadmill (only the second time I've ever done that).
• Tripped over my step in Step class.
• Went soaring over a random dumbbell lying in the floor when not watching where I was walking.
• Misjudged the length of the bench in the locker room and almost slid off (this was today).
• Knocked myself in the head with a free weight (luckily we were going for reps that day and not weight).
• Flew off of a stability ball while doing crunches.
• Stumbled across my step in Step class (I was Step class road kill for a while there).
• Almost crashed head first into my friend when we were on our stomachs on top of stability balls and mine went rogue.
• Knocked myself in the head with the lat pull down bar.
• Almost fell sideways off of a non-recumbent exercise bike.
• Did a bunch of arm exercises, tried to do guy push-ups immediately after, and face planted onto the floor.
• Bent down in the locker room to get my bag and stood back up only to be knocked in the head by an open locker door.

I've done some dumb stuff in the gym, but developing strong muscles has given me balance and cardio has given me agility leading me to be able to catch myself when these mishaps happen.   So, if a clutz like me can make the gym her own, there's hope for everyone.  And hey, if you work out at my gym and are nervous in the beginning, just keep your eyes on me.  More than likely I'm getting ready to trip over something.