The Gym

Photo of “Interval Plus”

I’ve written about losing myself, about drifting apart from friends while they pursued careers and higher education and I chased toddlers.

I think the first step of trying to find myself was going to the gym again. There I was Nuha. It’s crazy but until I started going to the gym, I wasn’t called Nuha much. When you are a stay at home mom, you don’t get out much and here we have the culture of calling you by your oldest son’s name, or if you have a kid in the same class your named by that kid. So, I was usually called mama or someone’s mom (in Arabic: Umm “child’s name” So I was: Umm Abdullah) . Sure, my husband called me by first name but I guess not that often, my mother in law did call me by my name but always introduced me as Khaled’s wife. Which is fine, there is nothing wrong with that but I needed to be reminded that I was my own person. I wasn’t just a mom, wife, daughter in law. I was me, I was Nuha.

So, after my fourth was born, I don’t remember how old he was when I started going to the gym for the first time. I would leave the kids with my husband and go to the gym. I started at “Curves”. It was perfect for me, one hour at the gym and you’re done. It wasn’t too intense which was good because I wasn’t as fit as I used to be. I have always exercised since I was a kid. I’d walk to the recreation center and swim and come back walking. I used to enjoy it so much. I used to lose the baby weight easily after each child by exercising at home. I even had a folder of exercise I had photo copied at the library when I was in college. Mostly core exercises. I think having a strong core helped me lose the baby belly after giving birth. After my third I discovered Leslie Sanson. She was a lot of help. I’d open Youtube, I even boght a couple of her dvd’s. My kids would walk with me and I remember my third being maybe one and holding my hand and kicking, as if he was telling me; come on mama lets exercise. My fourth was the hardest to lose the extra weight and going to the gym really helped. I continued to go to “Curves” on and off until I became pregnant with my fifth. Two miscarriages scared me from going to the gym and I was put on modified bed rest with this pregnancy.

When he was less than two years old I signed up to an awesome gym” Interval Plus”. It focused on CrossFit and interval training. They had less intense (still very intense) classes too. I used to go, die and go home dead but happy. Hahaha! It was such a great feeling being able to finish the classes there! I started going there a little before the pandemic began and everything closed. I’m grateful I was with them during the pandemic because even after they reopened they were very careful and it always felt like a safe environment. That time was difficult for me since I had four kids in school doing distance learning in two shifts morning and evening so I was already drained and never seemed to get enough sleep. I ended up leaving this gym because it was too much for me at the time. I still dream of a time when I am fit enough to go back.

I enrolled in another gym; “Fitness Time” next. I honestly went there only to swim and come back, it was the perfect thing for me at that time. We were still doing distance learning and R got his diagnosed during that time. Somedays, I would go to the gym and sit in the pool and cry. Sometimes that was my only chance to cry. I used to go in the early morings when the pool was empty and I had it to myself. Swimming first thing in the morning, with a huge pool all to myself, was pure bliss.

The one thing all these gyms had in common was the distance, they weren’t too far but sometimes with traffic I would take me at least 20-25 minutest get there. Thats an issue when you’re ruining late and want to join a class. It also had to be counted as part of my gym time so sometimes I only had half an hour at the gym and the rest in the car.

Then something amazing happened! A gym opened within walking distance form my house. “Body Motions” It was literally 5 minutes by car. That made it so much easier for me to go. When the weather is cooler, I go waking sometimes. It helps me go every day, no excuses.

My experience at this gym was so different than any other gym. I almost immediately signed up with a personal trainer and it made such a difference. She held me accountable so I couldn’t skip my classes. She listened to me and slowly increased intensity. She pushed me to work harder. She was very patient with me when I went through the dizzy phase. She could tell when I was about to become dizzy, would tell met to sit down, get me fresh orange juice from the vending machine She is the best! Even now she knows when I need to pause, when I need to go wash my face and cool down. She never let me give up and still pushes me to work harder and gain strength. It has been a great experience for me and even a year later, I am still working out with her. This is one luxury I will not give up. I’d rather give up coffee which if you know me says a lot!

I’m not really a social person at the gym, I’ve written about how that is my time to myself. But the past couple of months, I’ve made two friends at the gym, they work out with my personal trainer too and it’s been nice having someone to motivate you to go to the gym. We check in on each other and cheer each other on. They are really nice and I never thought I’d make gym friends but I’m glad I did.

I may have started to go to the gym to lose the baby weight, but now it is way more than just that. Its a place where I let go of any negativity I’m feeling. Its a place where I’m me, and only me. Its a place where I’m surrounded by strong motivated woman which is so motivating to become stronger.

I may have started working out to lose the baby weight but now I’m more focused on how much strength I’ve gained. I’m already thinking about the Riyadh marathon for 2024 and wondering if I should try doing the half marathon. I know fitness does not have an age and I hope to continue work out and maintain my strength so I’m that cool grandmother that can do a handstand. Hahaha.

Jokes aside, I will continue my fitness journey because I love myself and I try my best to keep myself healthy so I can fulfil my many responsibilities, be a good mom and partner, pursue my dreams and be happy.