Now that the kids require more mental guidance than physical, I noticed, as autumn set in, my clothes starting to become a little tighter. Add some Halloween candy and a small bit of starting preschool blues, and I decided to get off of my duff and join a gym.

The sales associate at Gold’s Gym in Exton gave me a free pass to bring the kids in and see how they liked it (I already knew that I would, but they have the final say, don’t they?).
So we went in – I spent an exercycle work out in a darkened “cinema” work-out room watching 27 Dresses, then moved to the women’s work-out area where I could not only do the elliptical, but simultaneously spy on them via a live monitor, and afterward I enjoyed the first sauna I have had in years.

They looked pretty happy on the mute monitor, but the test came when I picked them up and they told me they had a GREAT time. When they both wanted to go back I felt like I had won the lottery… I mean, convincing them to go to the grocery store requires bribes and cajoling, yet here, the thing I really want to do, they actually LIKE!!

Several visits later, I feel like a new person. I cannot emphasize enough how important endorphins are, especially to sequestered SAHMs who rarely get to do for themselves. It is worth it.
Just do it.