WEEK AT THE GYM: ONE MAN'S STORY

Today myself and a work colleague were "umming and ahhing" about whether we should go to the gym at lunchtime today or go for a coffee instead when I received an email today from another fellow gym enthusiast.

You might have already read this before but I thought it was quite hilarious and wanted to share it all with you.....

Dear Diary,

For my fortieth birthday this year, my wife (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since playing football 20 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and made my reservation with a personal trainer named Vanessa, who identified herself as a 26 year old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swimwear. My wife seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY
Started my day at 6:00am. Tough to get out of bed, but it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Vanessa waiting for me. She was something of a Greek goddess with blond hair; dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo! Vanessa gave me a tour and showed me the machines.

She took my pulse after 5 minutes on the treadmill. She was alarmed that my pulse was so fast, but I attributed it to standing next to her in her lycra aerobics outfit. I enjoyed watching the skilful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my work out today. Very inspiring, Vanessa was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This was going to be a FANTASTIC week!

TUESDAY
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door.
Vanessa made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air, and then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Vanessa's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the
counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a CEO in the club parking lot. Vanessa was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Vanessa put me on the stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Vanessa told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some other stuff too.

THURSDAY
Vanessa was waiting for me with her vampire -like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being half an hour late; it took me that long to tie my shoes. Vanessa took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the men's room. She sent Lars to find me, then, as punishment, put me on the rowing machine, which I sank.

FRIDAY
I hate that woman Vanessa more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, little cheerleader. If there were a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it. Vanessa wanted me to work on my triceps, I don't have triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the stupid barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich. The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like a drama coach or choir director?

SATURDAY
Vanessa left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrill voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven hours of the Weather Channel.


SUNDAY
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year, my wife (the COW) will choose a gift for me that is fun - - - like a root canal or a vasectomy.