I finally got my get-up-and-go, going.  

Tilly has already initiated the local swimming pool. She has been swimming daily, even if only for a little while. I confessed, “I don’t think I am going to swim this summer. Maybe. I don’t know.” But my conscience got the best of me. It hounded me, “Listen, lazy bones. Stop rationalizing. Go get your suit on, grab a towel, a magazine, and get going!”

I fought it. “Maybe later.”

I finally gave in. I knew I was being irrational. All I had to do was get in the car and drive there ... one measly mile. Preparation and getting going is most of the battle, you know, with anything that you need to motivate yourself to do, whether it is to exercise, to go to the library, to join the girls for coffee, to go to church, to get out among people. 

Exercise on a regular basis seems to be my biggest challenge. What is yours?

If I am fighting inertia, merely getting dressed in suitable clothing, and climbing on the bike is the battle. Then it is easy. And, grabbing some gym shoes, ear buds, and driving to the gym is the hardest part. Preparation is the only obstacle. Whatever you are fighting, the biggest part of the battle is getting ready!

Read again what I said just now. It is instruction for some of you who are dawdling.

To continue ... I drove to the pool, parked the car, entered the pool house. Now, that wasn’t difficult, was it? Our local pool is operating with no charge for swimming this summer, but the personnel appreciate contributions from any who can afford to pay his way. I plunked down some money, and one of the lifeguards gave me a big hug! What a nice group of young people.

Think of what I would have missed if I had stayed home! 

I grabbed a lounge chair, and got my little camping site all ready. The sun, the lounging chair, the smells of water and suntan lotion welcomed me.

I slid into the water, swam several laps, got out, read a while, and repeated the routine.

Oh my gosh, this is heaven!

But I soon realized that I had forgotten most of my paraphernalia. It had been two summers since I had practiced the pool routine. Last year was a wash-out for us all, right?

So, I now have my “beach bag” sitting by the closet. Here is what I need to achieve that “look” that Mademoiselle magazine, or People magazine would require. I packed rubber nose clips, ear plugs, bathing cap, googles, suntan lotion, extra towel, sunglasses, and a bottle of water. I am wearing my suit under my pool shirt.

Now I am ready. I am kidding about the magazine “ops.” 

Can you picture me now? I know what you are thinking? You are thinking, “No way. Besides, I don’t look good in a swim suit either.”

Guess what? No one looks at me. I am not that important. No one cares. Why do we think people would even notice? And other swimmers?  No little kid pays any attention to me, either. And any mothers who are sitting on the sideline will be motivated when they see me. They will say, “If she can come to the pool looking like an astronaut just getting ready to eject, then I can come to the pool as well.”

I might add, there is a large group of Seniors meeting at the pool for aquatic exercise, so I do realize I am not the lone ranger.

Now, get with it! 

Judi Tabler lives in Pawnee County and is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at juditabler@gmail.com.