Working Out

Durham is not a walking city, and I’m used to walking a couple of miles each day. It’s my only exercise. I didn’t want to sit for three months so I went to this fitness place right near my hotel. Turns out I can go every day for free, it’s a deal they made with my hotel. Fabulous!

I also got one free session with a personal trainer, who asked all these questions and took all these measurements and determined I’m in “poor” shape. WHAT?? I completely expected to be pronounced in “great” shape. I sat back, waiting for the praise. “My, you must take such good care of yourself!” I mean my weight is right where it should be, I’m a vegetarian, I rarely get sick, I walk miles every day and because I live in a fifth floor walkup I go up and down stairs all day. Hello?

My friend Chris called my while I was on the treadmill and I was so freaked out about my pronouncement I had to call her back to discuss it. She’s started working out, too.

I’m here for three months and I need something to do every day besides research, so what the hell? I’m going to do what this guy says for three months. If I like the results I’ll continue when I get home. If I don’t, no harm done. I go back to “poor” shape. Poor?? POOR?? Seriously?? (That makes me think of Grey’s Anatomy now. Great show.)

Stacy Horn

I've written six non-fiction books, the most recent is Damnation Island: Poor, Sick, Mad, and Criminal in 19th-Century New York.

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