Fit to Print Volume 24 Issue 2 June 2015 | Page 20

M e m b e r Pe r s p e c t i v e

by Christine Jelley

Potpourri
A Random Walk Through Fitness Incentive
first time he adds, “CRAZY CRAZY.” I
didn't go to DMV and surrender my
license when that happened. I just got
over it. My hands got sweaty and I
considered crying, but I just continued
on my way.
One of these days I'd like to review the
Fitness Incentive snack bar. All I can
attest to at the moment is that the
coffee is really good and the nice
smiley woman behind the counter
knows my order without me saying
anything. One of these years we'll
exchange names, maybe, because

T

here's a category in Jeopardy
called, “Potpourri” that's a catchall of unrelated questions that
never got used in prior shows because
time ran out. I like it because anything
goes, and the geniuses in the “World
Geography” and “Science” categories
choose it only when there is nothing else
left because, hey, these questions could
be anything.
This article is also called, “Potpourri”
because I had a bunch of different ideas
to write regarding FI and none stuck.
A few years back, I sat next to a woman
in “Spin”, which is now known as
“Cycle.” The classes are still great, still
as challenging as you want them to be,
only the neon graphics in the room have
changed. Anyway, at the end of the class,
I had a disagreement with my cycling
neighbor and we exchanged words. I
have no idea what my/our problem was,
but it stands out because I really don't
have issues with anyone. We are all
people trying to fight the good fight.
Anyway, we raised our voices, the whole
room went silent, the argument ended
and that was that. We peacefully co-exist
in the classes to this day. It was like the
moment in traffic where you go from
singing along to The Bangles, “Eternal
Flame” to driving around the guy in the
passing lane who rolls down his window
and screams out that you are “CRAZY.”
And just in case you didn't hear it the

20

Our team, Three Cougars and
a Kitten, didn't win, but it
was a win for me. If you want
to blast into great shape,
join the competition, but wear
your big girl (or boy) underwear
because it's not for sissies.
that's how long it takes me to realize
that I am not always invisible. I took
Cathy's Stretch class for ten years
before we did the name thing, and I
consider that class the Church of
Christine Jelley, a place I go to get
back in touch with me. You know, that
red-faced, quick-tempered monster
that picks fights in Cycle.

and Jane Fonda leotards. My sons were
ages three and six and took issue to Mom
working out while they were left in the
care of a perfectly fine woman mere feet
away. I continued to bring them against
their objections because, oh God, I
needed a break. I only really got into the
gym when they were old enough to
illegally skateboard at the Babylon Train
Station and I could work out in peace.
The point of this is that the kids lived
and I have something I can hold onto
forever – my spot at the gym. So if you're
hesitating, the day care has evolved into
an absolutely great, stimulating place to
hang out in, and, reiterating, my kids
lived.
Fab Four. I was on Eileen's team, forget
the year, lost 19 pounds and toned
muscles I never knew existed. We
celebrated the end of the contest at a
local hall. It poured rain and was a
generally lousy day. But I did enjoy
several grapefruit and vodkas with a
teammate and wore my new Loft
strapless dress. There is one (1) picture
commemorating my great victory. If you
look closely, there I am, way in the
background, with red eyes from the
flash. Very slim and stylin' though! I don't
have the picture; I think it was displayed
at the gym. Our team, Three Cougars and
a Kitten, didn't win, but it was a win for
me. If you want to blast into great shape,
join the competition, but wear your big
girl (or boy) underwear because it's not
for sissies.
I have a dream. (Who said this? Kidding.)
One day I'd like to teach my own Cycle
class for older folk with aches and pains,
recovering from life, sickness, divorce,
adjusting to change, etc. My song list will
bring back memories of days gone by and
brighter days ahead. We'll cycle with a
light touch on the sunny side of the
street. Just for the joy of still being in
the game.

The snack bar intrigues me because it
has rows of protein powders, flavorings
and nice-looking bananas on the
counter. Part of me looks at it and
says, “You are not a Power Fitness
Wonder.” The other part says, “Maybe
you should be.” Reviewing the snack
bar offerings is “on my list” (and if
anyone is interested in a look at the
snack bar employing this in-depth style
of journalism, drop Ken Brown an
email at fit@fitnessincentive.com.
Suggested subject line: “Feed Christine
Jelley breakfast”)
Moving on, from the Memory Lane file:
I used to take my kids to the
babysitting room back when FI was on
Main Street. Those were the days of
slouch socks, fluffy athletic headbands
Summer 2015 FIT to Print

original artwork by Christine Jelley

Christine Jelley is a longtime FI member whose
brother actually got past the qualifying round for
Jeopardy. He never got the call to appear.