A good reason not to gym: I embarrass myself

In line with my resolve to attempt to gym regularly, I did just that after work today with hubby and friends. I did 20 minutes on the elliptical and, under the guidance of a personal trainer friend, attempted a body-solid leg press machine for the first time in my life (I had to Google that).

And then I nearly mortally embarrassed myself by almost passing out after a second set of stationary lunges (yep, Googled that too). I say “nearly” because I figured actually passing out would be mortally embarrassing. It was hardly strenuous stuff so I have no idea why it happened, but this isn’t the first time my world took on a greenish tinge and voices sounded far, far away.

One time it happened while I was standing at attention during band practice in high school, but I wiggled my toes so vigorously that the blood must have gone back up to my brain and I stayed on my feet. Another time everything turned completely green during a Living Skills class and I had to quickly sit down before I landed face first on the woodwork table.

And then a third time – also my first time ever – was when I was about five or six and playing flowergirl at a wedding. I stood perfectly still for far too long, everything started turning green and I actually began swaying while the vows were being exchanged. An uncle spotted me just in time (not even my parents were looking!) before I completely upstaged the entire wedding.

I met the groom’s sister and mother last year after a 20-year gap and – luckily – they had absolutely no recollection of me nearly keeling over at their brother/son’s nuptials. Incidentally, that episode was also the first and last time I was ever asked to be a flower girl.

Back to gym today, I recovered and finished my third set of lunges, but I’m still wondering what caused the near blackout. Low blood sugar? I ate lunch. Standing still for too long? Hardly. Maybe I was working my legs so hard all the blood rushed downwards. I find it hugely ironic that my sisters continually threaten to collapse and faint mid-workout but I am the one who almost achieves it.