Page 32 of Falling Backwards
M A G G I E
“Dude,” Emma groans.Panting, she bends over and puts her hands on her knees.“Whoever came up with HIIT workouts can kiss my entire ass.”
If I had the breath to laugh, I would.As it is, all I can manage is a nod and a half-gasped, “Yeah,” as I press my hands to my pounding heart.
From where she has melted into a pink-haired puddle on the couch, Joy fans at her reddened face.When I catch her eye, she tries to smile at me, but I know she’s not any happier with the YouTube exercise we attempted than Emma and I are.
God bless my friends.I can’t think of anyone else who would’ve agreed to do this with me, especially on a Sunday morning.And I hadn’t even told them why I wanted to do it; when I invited them to join me, they just said,‘Sure,’and a couple things about endorphins.
Still, after this workout, I wouldn’t be surprised if they changed their minds.I know they love me, but this particular kind of exercise was more than they bargained for, I think.It was more thanIbargained for.My legs feel like they’re about to give out on me.
I drop into my favorite cushy chair and let myself become a puddle too.
After a few better breaths, I’m able to form real sentences.“I’m sorry, guys.The video said it was a workout for beginners.I didn’t think it would be so hard.”
Emma straightens back up and trudges towards the kitchen, tightening the scrunchie in her ponytail.“I didn’t either, sister.”
“I’m sure it gets easier with practice,” Joy says.
Emma gives half of a dry laugh, and I blow a raspberry.The mere idea of doing that ten-minute routine again kind of makes me want to cry.
But underneath that, I know I don’t want to give up after just one go.The instructor gave different difficulty options throughout the video, and some things seemed more doable than others, so we mixed up how hard we tried—too ambitious on our part, we know now.The next time I do the workout, I’ll make sure to stick with the simplest options, even if they seemtoosimple.I’ll give myself a fair chance of getting used to the moves instead of plowing ahead without any experience and then regretting it.
Smooching noises have me looking over at Joy, who does manage a smile now.
“Love you,” she tells me.“I won’t bail on being your workout buddy, okay?”
I smile back.“Yet?”
Emma fully laughs this time even though she’s drinking some water, and the two of us join in.
“Aw, no!”Joy says to me.“I mean, itishard and I hate it a lot more than I thought I would, but….”
“I love you, too, Joyful,” I assure her.“Thank you for being sweet, but please know that if you decide you don’t wanna bother with this, I get it and won’t be mad.”When she gives me a sad puppy look, I smooch back to her, then call across the room, “Same goes for you, Em.”
“I will do my best to give it an honest try,” she vows.“I do kind of like how I feel right now, having worked my ass off.”
“Me too!”Joy chimes in.“I really think it’s great, Maggie, that you wanted to try something new.Thanks for asking us to try it with you.”She wiggles around to get a little more comfortable.“Whatmadeyou wanna try it?”
My stomach flips with nervousness.
This is one of the few things I don’t want to share with the girls.I love them, but I…would just like to keep it to myself.Besides, plenty of people do what my friends spoke of and exercise for the way it makes them feel, right?That’s reason enough to do it.
So I answer Joy’s question with a veiled truth.“I just thought it sounded like a fun change.Tough, of course, but fun.Something new to add to my life, like you said.”
Emma makes a contemplative noise.“Could’ve become a dog mom instead.”
We all laugh again.
“Nah,” she amends, “I get it.It’s easy to get stuck in the routine of how things have always been and things we always do—or things we never do.Changing it up is cool.”
Joy hums in agreement.“For sure.”She points a tired finger at me.“I really am gonna try to hang in there with you.I admire you striving for change.”
“Same,” Emma says.
I smile at them.“Y’all are the best.”
