I always hated being a newbie. I always hated people watching me struggle to figure out something new. Worse yet, I always hated asking for help and following directions. Today was my first day going to Koko fit club to work out on my own. I joined on Thursday, but worked with a person to set up my program. Today I was on my own. I didn't think I'd get into too much trouble in "newbieland" because I carefully paid attention and remembered everything from Thursday. Well, I was wrong about that. I walked up to the door, tapped my key, and, of course, the door wouldn't open. I proceeded to do this a few more times, while a woman on a treadmill watched me through the window. It was 10 am and there was supposed to be staff there until 12. I peeked in the window and didn't see anyone at the desk. I called from my phone, but got no answer. I went back to my car thinking maybe my key wasn't registered because I hadn't set up my webstite yet. (I'm trying everything here because I refuse to go back home) I use my phone to set up my website and go back to try the door. No luck. The woman from the treadmill came over and opened it and apologized for not getting to me sooner because she was on the treadmill. She taught me the secret of the door (there's always a "secret" newbies don't know) and let me try it. It worked. Now I'm inside. I sign in and look for an mp3 player to do my cardio with. I stand perplexed because the basket where they should be is empty and there's only two other people in the whole place. Finally, the same woman tells me they are on the equipment. They put them there when it is unstaffed. (I guess this is supposed to make it easier?)
I go to an eliptical, get set up, and try to turn the player on. I push the button the wrong way and lock it. I can't get it unlocked. I get off and go to another machine. I carefully put the player on this time and get my program going. Oh no. I forgot to put my flashdrive in. I had to figure out how to start the player all over. I finally got it, and began again. Phew. 15 minutes to get my bearings without having to do anything else but listen to the trainer guy on the player. It was a nice workout, but next time I need a harder one. On to the weight machine. This is a combo machine with all the weight machines on it. I put in my flashdrive and decide to take my time and read the directions on the screen. I was a little shaky because I felt like everyone else was staring at me, laughing because I was a newbie. (In reality, there was only two other people there and they really could care less what I was doing because they were so busy reading their own screens.) I managed to make it through the first three exercises before encountering one I hadn't done before. It had to measure my range of motion, then I had to do it. It didn't work so well the first time and I discovered a button that lets it measure the range of motion again. I figured that out and moved on. Next I had to take off the grab bar and attached the ropes to the upper hanger. I couldn't reach the clip. It's a good thing I addressed that on Thursday with the girl, because she pointed out the stools for short people. I was not only a newbie, but I was a short person, too.
I started to relax and enjoy following the screeen, setting up the machine for each exercise, and trying to keep the little bar in the square as I moved. At the end of each exercise it gives you your pace percentage. I loved this. I was hitting 85, 90, and 100% most of the time. It's like a video game and you get points for it. Now I was really having a good time.
At the end of the exercise routine, I took my flashdrive over to the scale that measures your muscle mass. I wanted to do this again, even though I just did it on Thursday because I wanted to practice working the scale. I did it without incident. Phew. Done for today. I took my flashdrive over to the saving station, saved my workout results, and left. It was warm outside, I was exhilerated because I made it through after a rocky start, and I was famished. How wonderful it was to find myself nextdoor to a Roche Bros. food market. I deserved a treat for this one. Armed with hot chicken wings and a baked haddock dinner for supper, I headed back to my car.
I sat eating my wings, feeling happy and pleased with myself. I thought about this newbie thing as I ate. Being a "newbie" is uncomfortable, but I slowly began to realize that it's totally necessary to be able to grow, learn, and get to new places in life. I also realized I was embracing it – even enjoying it. I thought, pulling out of the parking lot, how much fun it was to throw new things at my brain and let it figure it out. The feeling of being on stage and having to figure things out under pressure is good to experience once in awhile. Tomorrow when I go again, I won't be as much of a newbie. At least I'll be able to get in the door.
And so, as another day goes by, I encourage you to go out and be a "newbie" at something, challenge your mind, test your courage, unlock doors, and ….I have written.
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