Spinning and the aftermath

Last Monday I went to the gym for the evening spinning class. Spinning is just another way to call cycling on a stationary bike.

I only go to spinning class on and off, and I normally can't balance on a real bike, so you get the idea.

I went in the class just 2 minutes late, so the class was in warm up. The instructor - Karen? I should know her name, because she is a pleasant athletic young woman, and I like her class - was telling students to let her know if we needed her help to adjust the bike. I took up the offer, and she was so nice to come and help me adjust it correctly. I don't mind looking dumb.

The studio was dark, as there was a lighting problem. Karen could only either turn on all the lights, or turn them all off to complete darkness. She chose the latter, but for the rest of the class, she would sometimes run around the room with a flashlight.

To my left were a couple of young women. They were skinny but strong. I was like: darn, I used to be like that. I hate feeling this way, as my friend Ying Chen told me: it makes you sound old.

During the class I was thinking about my plans to take mom for a trip for her birthday, so the 45 minute class was tolerable, and I was not bored out of my minds. I had a good sweat, got plenty of oxygen into my heart and lungs, and was satisfied. I told myself, not too bad, I should do it more frequently.

Starting the next day, something didn't feel right. My back and my abdominal ache. The smallest movement around the mid section would bring pain that was coming from the inside. Oh no, not that again...

The last time I had this feeling - it was caused by something totally different and it was only 4 months ago - I went to see my doctor to ask him if I had kidney stones or spinal problems. He said I strained my muscles, and sent me to a physical therapy class. The physical therapist taught us back care theories and some exercises. He also gave us handouts to take home, as we should do the exercises everyday for the rest of our lives. Nope, that didn't happen to me.

Now I have to find the handout and try to stick with the back care plan.