E X E R C I S E

                     Submitted by: Ann M. King

The Doctor recommended exercise, to help my body heal,
He said to walk a mile a day, just to see how I would feel.
And if I dropped a pound or so, that would be a bonus plan.
So I thought about his kind advice, that skinny little man.

I joined the Ladies Fitness Club it's really close at hand,
I got all the right equipment, shorts, shoes and nice wide headband.|
I took my water bottle and towel in case I felt a little hot,
I was prepared to give my all, and my all is quite a lot.

Before the class began I had to take all the tests,
My blood pressure, my weight, Oh no, and then my pulse at rest.
They showed me all the equipment that makes the body fit,
Now I was set to get in shape, a week or two should do it.

I huffed and puffed my way upstairs, "That's where you change", she said,
It was forty minutes later and I wish I'd stayed in bed,
I even lost a pound or two, doing all those sports,
Stretching, pulling, tugging, that was getting in my spandex shorts.

So I hopped on this machine, a gentle stroll, it said,
As the belt goes round I walked and walked my 'Walkman' on my head.
It started going faster, and faster, faster still,
My thumb was on the button that clearly said, "Down Hill"

Next I tried the gym, and laid down on my mat,
I moved my legs to music, did push ups, stuff like that,
I rolled around for quite a while this fitness is a breeze,
When I got up to run around, I was stuck there on my knees.

So I went home ate a three course meal, and took a two- hour nap,
I ached all over, and felt like hell yet decided not to flap,
When I awoke I was determined, I knew I was on the right track,
I went straight back to that fitness place, and got my money back.

You see jumping up and down, well that really isn't me,
A gentle stroll around the block, well, that's a possibility,
Yet when I look into the mirror, and notice parts of me that bounce,
I may have to be content and tell myself, it's what's inside that counts.