No "Jim", New "Gym"

This January, much like last January has been a bit of a roller coaster.  It started off great, excellent really, (see my new years post HERE).  The first 2 weeks actually were pretty great.  "Jim" and I spent a lot of time together, we went on some awesome hikes, we played badminton with his friends and watched football with mine.  We celebrated 2 months with a home-cooked meal and beautiful flowers.

But then, things took a turn for the worse. "Jim" and I broke up. :(  Everything was great, except we had a different vision for our future family, an irreconcilable different if you will.  Despite the hurt and the sadness of the breakup, I have nothing bad to say about "Jim" or our relationship, except that it ended.  For me, that was really the only bad thing.  My time as "Jim's" girlfriend was a great adventure and he exposed me to all types of new activities and things.  "Jim" allowed me to be myself around him, he made me laugh, took care of me, surprised me, and generally increased the fun and happiness in my life.  We experienced some exciting firsts together, memories of which we will both carry indefinitely.  I am hopeful that with time we will be able to be just friends, but it will definitely be in time.

I have seen people spiral when relationships fall apart.  They pick their poison to drown their sorrows - alcohol, drugs, promiscuity, etc.  But none of those appealed to me.  I was upset, cried a lot (still do) but ultimately after a little self reflection and a push in the right direction, I found my own "drug of choice" - working out.

When I first started going to the gym it was an escape of sorts.  It was time for the gym to become that again.  But, I needed a change of scenery. After my (nearly) three year love affair with Fitness 19, it was time to move on.  I started at fitness 19 when I lived in the bay area and my gym up there became like a second home, like an odd sanctuary of sorts.  When I moved back to orange county, I was hopeful the club down here would have a similar feel and make me want to go.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.  It did not have the same feel to me.  It was not as welcoming, I didn't make friends there, the crowd was different, and it was always crowded to the point of waiting on machines.  

My best friend's husband has invited me for years now to come check out his gym with him, take a class, see how I like it.  I finally agreed since he agreed to go apartment hunting with me.  And well, the gym sold itself.  It was downright awesome.  The gym itself is gorgeous and clean and modern.  It has everything.  Then there are the classes which are taught by awesome instructors who push you like a personal trainer might (at least the ones I have taken).  And they have everything - yoga, pilates, row, spin, circuit training, zumba ... the list goes on.  There is a spa and a pool.  The showers are private and big.  Lockers are available to use.  And there is never a wait for machines.  One time going, I was sold, totally and completely sold.

Living everyday, down a "Jim" but up a "Gym"