"That's it, I'm joining a gym." I said defiantly to myself, looking at my naked figure in the bedroom mirror. I had always had a good body but the last few months of partying, drinking, eating anything I fancied and slobbing around had taken its toll.
I dressed for work, pencil skirt, tight blouse, push up bra, stockings and heels. I felt this combination hid my flaws and highlighted my assets. I'm 5"8 with 36" legs and a good bum. I also had 34D boobs although recently they had become slightly saggy. I'm not having that. My usual slim tummy had become soft and podgy.
I joined the girls for lunch at Gino's, the Italian on the corner from the office. As I looked through the menu I reluctantly plumped for a salad.
"A salad? You feeling ok Fi?" Joanne asked.
"Diet time I'm afraid girls. I have a beach body I need to get back." I said despondently.
"Are you joking!! There's no hope for the rest of us." Joanne said patting her slight belly. "You have an amazing figure Fi, you don't need a diet."
"Oh god, yes I do. Everything is getting saggy. I'm joining a gym too!"
"You should join my gym, Lexitons, it's on this side of town and we could train after work." Marie said trying to convince me.
"That sounds good. I will take a look." I lied. I wasn't going to take a look at all. I didn't want to train with Marie, she was 40 and boring!! Ok so I was 35 but Marie was way older that her years. Did I mention that she was incredibly boring too? No chance. I started looking for a decent gym on the other side of town.
Royal Fitness. Sounds very regal. Perfect. In actual fact it was run by two ex Royal Marines who were absolutely brutal. After my first outdoor session of throwing huge tractor tyres around a field, rolling beer kegs up a hill and trying to tow the biggest rope known to man I felt physically sick. This was a really bad idea.
I limped into work a broken woman.
"Good was he?" Asked Annie, with a cheeky grin on her face as I dragged my aching body past her office.
"Bloody gym session with the Royal Marines." I winced.
"Royal fitness?" Annie enquired. "That's where I go!!"
Annie was 55, one of the legal secretaries to the named partner at the firm and looked in incredible shape. She had my attention.
"That's how you look so good. But, my god, it is sooooooo tough. I don't think I can go again." I said walking into her office.
Annie laughed. "It gets easier honey, trust me, give it 4-5 weeks and the body learns to adjust. You're just out of practice, that's all."
Did she just say I was unfit?
"When are you going next?" Annie asked.
"No idea. Not sure I want to." I sighed.
"Stop that. Come with me on Thursday. We will go after work." Annie was very insistent, as she always was, after all that was her job.
When Thursday came round my body still hadn't recovered. I couldn't even bend down to do up my trainers.
"Here, let me do it." Annie said, seeing that I was struggling. I felt about 90.
Throughout the session I watched Annie in her sexy black all in one Lycra suit blast out set after set earning the praise of the coaches. How old was this superwomen? She definitely wasn't 55. She had the body of a 20 year old. Great legs and bum with huge boobs that I later discovered were fake but my god they were perfect. It convinced me that I needed to get my boobs done.
I collapsed about 70 minutes into the session but Annie kept going for the full 90. I crawled to the warm down session and lay on my back hoping to teleport back to my soft, warm, comfy bed back at my apartment. I felt a pair of hands on my calves but I didn't have the energy to even lift my head and look up. Hmmmmmm that feels good. I hope it's one of those hunky Royal Marines.
"Good session hun?" It was Annie massaging my lower legs.
"Uhhhhhhhhhhh." Is all I could manage.
Annie moved up to my thighs, massaging them back to life. Boy she was good.
"Hmmmmmmmm." I groaned, in appreciation. "Don't stop." I gasped.
After about 10 minutes of massaging I sat up resting on my elbows. "Wow. That was hard. It's not getting easier Annie. Not at all."
"It will. Do you train at home too?" Annie asked.
Extra training at home, is she insane. This woman is like some super human fitness goddess.
"Just running." I offered, hoping she wouldn't probe me further on my lie.
"Come and play netball with me, every Wednesday and Saturday. Games are usually on a Saturday and training Wednesday."
She plays netball as well. Bloody hell, what else does she do? No wonder she doesn't have a man in her life, she doesn't have time.
Annie divorced several years ago and kept her private life to herself. I had no idea if she actually had a boyfriend or kids for that matter. She could have even been remarried and I wouldn't have known.
"I'm not sure you would want me. I haven't played since school and as you can see, I'm completely unfit."
"No you're not and I bet you're a great player, especially with those long legs getting you around the court. Come with me next Wednesday. I will introduce you to the girls. You'll like them." Annie said.
Well that's decided then. You didn't argue with Ann.
"Just a salad please." I said to the waiter at Gino's.
"Still on the diet Fi?" Lucy asked.