Yesterday's happy revelation #1: I checked the balance of my MO bank account, which I have not accessed for several months, since I was using my VA bank account, and I found that I still have $291 therein. Good news for me, because that meant I didn't have to wait until next week to join the gym. Right after work, I shoved exercise clothes into my smaller backpack, jumped into Thing, and buzzed over to sign up. I headed straight in after filling out the "direct debit" form and enjoyed my first workout at a real gym that I've had for over a year.

It was just what I needed. Since it's the week after New Year's, the place was pretty full, but everyone was using machines. So the free weights were left for me and the grizzled, muscular old guy with the do-rag. I did my limited best, but at least I did it with good form.
Helpful things about using a gym instead of exercising at home:
- They have a track to run on when I'm warming up, so I don't have to use a treadmill.
- Since there are people all around, many of them (right now) more fit than myself, I want to exercise my hardest.
- There is a pool, albeit a nasty, heavily chlorinated one - not like outdoor pools at all, but it is winter.
- They also offer fun classes. I think I am going to sign up for Country Line Dancing on Friday evenings with Magda, and for the Sat. morning TKD class. My regular dojang only has Mon/Wed pm classes for my group, and it might be nice to supplement with another teaching style as well.
- Most importantly, there are people around. Even if I ignore them, I need the background people buzz for my brain to be happy. Yes, I am an extrovert. :)

After the gym, I went to the Borders cafe to read through a research book. I need to research outside the house, especially after a long day of work. Same deal as the gym - there are people, and it helps me concentrate while I am reading. Further, I can buy a hot tea from the Republic of Tea for only $1.35. No calories, and it won't break the bank if I visit the cafe several times a week.

Yesterday was pretty much an experiment, a model day to see if this would work. It did, to my joy. Although the days drag, the evenings will fly to make up for them.  ¶ 7:51 AM