For now, just wanted to share a quick update on something that I am starting up:

My disciplined husband convinced me to go swim laps at the community center pool last night after putting the kids to bed, with plans to go again tonight, and possibly every Wednesday night now that we are entering into a season where our Wednesday nights will be free. (We started last night because his very regular Tuesday night basketball, which he has been playing since graduating university many years ago, happened to get cancelled.)

I agreed because although I dislike the hassle of going to the pool and having to get wet, I actually have always really enjoyed swimming as an exercise that I believe is both therapeutic (to be in the water…) as well as a great well-rounded, all-inclusive type of exercise (at least that’s what I think based on my limited knowledge of exercise–it’s cardio and strength-training, minus damaging impact to joints?).

I also don’t think going to the pool at night by myself is a good idea, so if my husband is planning to go, then I don’t have to worry about safety issues, and it kinda can double as “date” time which is always good for our marriage.

Finally, I have always been hesitant to adopt forms of exercise that cost $ in case I don’t end up sticking it out (i.e. I still have 27 out of 30 yoga classes to go, which I purchased back before I was pregnant with my first child who is now 6 1/2 years old…).  If I take advantage of going with my husband, he takes care of paying for admission (although we share $, it still stresses me out somewhat to spend it when I think I could just do something else that won’t cost anything, like running or using my elliptical, or going to my yoga classes…).  Also, as he is definitely the more disciplined and scheduled one out of the two of us, I benefit from the possibility of establishing a regular exercise routine by simply following someone who is naturally regular and routine with exercise.

Some things — or rather a lot of things — I am learning are just better done with someone, or in the company of others.

(I actually had quite a number of thoughts and revelations running through my head during the whole experience of going to the pool and swimming laps…but I will save these for my next post so that I have time to get ready for our second go tonight…)