chrishansenhome

I have now cancelled my membership in Paris Gym. This is really gutting me as, although I've only visited once in the past year because of my feet, it has been a place very close to my heart for 13 or 14 years.

I joined in (I think) 1996 after Pleasuredrome remodelled and turned their gym into a very small room (soon to disappear altogether). I looked in Boyz for another gym to go to, and found a small ad for Paris. They had just started, and when I went I discovered that it was exclusively gay male (it has since expanded to exclusively male but enforces a gay-friendly environment) gym where I would not be made to feel uncomfortable because of my size or lack of ability.

I soon grew to regard Phil and Peter, the owners, as friends (in a professional setting, of course). As the gym grew (I was member 699) we would spend time at the coffee bar talking about this and that. My ex joined while he was in London briefly, then fled. Other friends have joined (hi, fj!), or attended. I lost weight, gained it back, gained muscle, became one of the regulars.

Meanwhile the gym expanded to two arches underneath Vauxhall railway station. The number of members grew, and the business (I believe) is prospering. However, as the state of my feet has gotten worse (and is now better, but not recovered), the chances of me being able to take advantage of my membership recede further and further into the future. HWMBO has been nagging me for almost a year to cancel my membership, but I have resisted. I cannot resist any longer, so I cancelled the standing order today and one of the owners will be delivering the contents of my locker shortly.

I feel like I've broken up with my boyfriend of 14 years' standing. I do hope that in the future I'll be in a position to rejoin. But, until then, farewell!

I went to my fifth class last night. The leader was a bit down, for personal reasons, but the class itself was perky and very lively, as usual. He gave me lots of praise, saying that I had improved markedly since I started.

Of course, this makes me feel good, but, more importantly, I think it has changed my health a bit for the better. My feet feel better, I think I've lost some weight, and I feel perkier. There are some pains involved (especially a few days after the class) but that's to be expected in this quickly-elderly body of mine.

I will continue to go on Wednesdays, and try to get to the Saturday classes once or twice a month. Continuous updates as appropriate.

I went to the gym yesterday, nitroglycerine spray in tow. I did 1/2 hour on the stationary bicycle at about 1/2 the maximum resistance. I worked up a sweat, but the beta-blocker ensured that my heart rate never went above 110 bpm. No shortness of breath, no chest pains, no need for the nitro.

So, I'm feeling much bolder about it and will start going regularly again. That will make the GBP 42 I pay for it each month worthwhile.