I joined a small local gym in the fall of 2023. It was a really good decision. The weight training sessions are supervised by a certified trainer; up to 8 women can attend; the music is varied (one trainer likes 80s music); the workouts are different each time.
Each week has a theme for exercise: Strength, Sweat, Stamina, and Stability. About every six weeks, they add “Heavy” Week. This week was Heavy Week. In these workouts, each exercise is repeated 4 times. Each repetition you increase the weight you are using. In the first round you aim for 12-15 repetitions; the second, 10-12; the third, 8-10; and the fourth, 4-6. Each round decreases in time. What I’ve learned from Heavy Week is that I can do more than I thought I could, and most of the time, I play it safe and don’t push as hard as I might. Maybe that’s okay since I’m getting older and don’t want injury.
What I’ve learned in the weekly rotations is that Sweat, Stamina, and Strength feel fun and energizing. The time goes really fast. Stability work is not so fun. The challenges sometimes feel scary in this older body, and the hour seems long. During Stability Week, we work on exercises that require balance while challenging one side of the body with weights. It’s surprising to discover how different it can feel to work on only one side of your body. One side usually feels much stronger, flexible, or more coordinated. At least that’s been my experience.
During this writing month, I’ve also experienced strength, sweat, stamina, and stability as a reader and as a writer. Some of my writing days took strength to write; some made me sweat. Other days I faltered and lacked stamina/stability to do the task. But, I know that falter does not mean failure. Maybe this SOLSC is our writing “Heavy Month.” It lets us know we can do more than we thought we could.
Thank you to all who make this writing space
a place of safety, support, and beauty.
pelicansandprose 
I like the alliteration of “strength, sweat, stamina, and stability.” That’s it’s own athletic poem. Four inspiring words.
“What I’ve learned from Heavy Week is that I can do more than I thought I could…”
What a good feeling.
I love the way your gym experience becomes a metaphor for this month-long writing challenge. “Heavy month,” indeed!
“One side usually feels much stronger, flexible, or more coordinated. At least that’s been my experience.”
To extend the metaphor, I notice I’m better able to think and write with joy in the a.m. In the p.m. all the weight of the day is heavy in me and writing is harder. I’m stronger in the a.m. than p.m.
Thanks for this motivating, encouraging, inspiring slice!
Thank you for the thoughtful feedback, Stephanie!
Weight training is a good metaphor for writing. Like you, I struggle w/ the balance exercises. My PT has me doing lots of those. I lift hand weights at home but am trying to talk myself into going back to the gym. I quit the gym during the pandemic and bought a spin bike for home. I use it almost every day.
I agree with the above- wonderful metaphor. The 4 approaches to strength have got me thinking. And perhaps the “use it or lose it” realization about our strength as we age, might also apply to writing. That is, even when writing a fluff piece in March, I feel I am making stronger writing decisions than other times I choose to write after long breaks.
Also, NON-metaphorically, you’ve got me thinking about weight training!
Such a smart slice – first I learn all about you at the gym. Then I’m so inspired by all you do at the gym. Can’t wait to find out more (the sign of good writing is the reader has questions!) Then you connect it to writing. The metaphor is perfect!! Looking forward to celebrating our “Heavy Month” today at the old Gifford’s!
Love this. I’ve also compared my workouts to my writing efforts. Love that you can do more than you thought. Good for you!
I love how you connected your exercise back to writing. I have the same struggles in my gym and in my writing. My stability is lacking, and it can be frightening. I hope I ssee some progress in that area.
“Falter does not mean failure”- another lesson from your wise words. Again, great connection from the gym to this month of writing. I didn’t expect that last paragraph but it makes you stop and think.
This is such a motivational slice! I appreciate the details of each week’s focus and LOVE how you cleverly connect it to writing. Boy did I sweat this week. Cheers to continued strength, stamina, and stability!