Joy is…flexing new muscles!

Sharni and Johnny have been asking for some time now if we could all join the gym, but despite their incredible powers of persuasion, I’ve so far resisted.

Until this week, that is.

Maybe it’s because we’re now in November and there are less than 60 days until the new year.

Maybe it’s because I see how strong some of my gym-going friends are getting — and I’m envious of their discipline.

Or maybe it’s because even stretchy pants are getting uncomfortable.

Whatever the reason, I found myself this week filling out online forms and coughing up for membership fees. That left only one thing to do: get up early and go work out.

Sharni and Johnny were beside themselves with excitement and were up before the alarm. By the time I’d located my slippers, they’d already slipped into matching workout gear — complete with forehead-hugging sweatbands.

They looked like a couple of 80s-era aerobics junkies, and I couldn’t help but laugh. The vision in front of me lightened my mood and eased a little of my dread about what was to come.

Once at the small, quiet gym, we were inducted by a lovely lady who pointed out the equipment, light switches, and restrooms, then made sure our new key fobs worked.

And then she left.

We were alone — three amateurs in a room full of items designed to make us fitter and stronger, if only we knew how to use them.

As it turned out, the beans did have half a clue. It seems they’d been watching YouTube videos for months, eagerly awaiting my eventual surrender. Johnny offered instructions on the free weights, while Sharni pulled out a neatly written strength-training plan for us to follow.

They even made me pose for a before photo — their anticipation of a “noteworthy transformation” giving me quite the boost.

What happened next I’m sure I’ll regret tomorrow, but today? I feel a little proud.

We lifted, we did sets and reps, and we actually enjoyed it.

Johnny’s been flexing invisible muscles ever since, and Sharni is already drawing up a new healthy eating plan for us to follow. Apparently, now that we’re weightlifters, we need more protein.

I heard them mention peanut butter — so I’m all in.

It’s just the sweatbands I’ll resist with all my newfound strength.

— Sam