Lesson learned (the hard way)

I could have titled this so many different ways, but the bottom line is that I've learned my lesson and I had to learn it the hard way.

The other night I noticed a girl at the gym put on this brace type of contraption around her waist before doing step class. I thought it was a back brace of some sort. After class she took it off and I was curious. I asked her what she used it for and she told me it was a sweat band. It helps shed excess water weight and also helps compress and support the abdomen.

After having 3 children, I could use all the extra support I can get in my belly, so I thought I would give it a try, especially since it only cost me $5. It was very comfortable and I could feel the warmth as soon as I put it on, which was nice since it was a chilly day. I've worn back braces in the past and this was a similar feel compression wise, but much more comfortable.

My trial run during the day went great and I decided to keep it on during the class I taught in the evening. I was a little concerned that it would inhibit my movement, but I was very pleased and comfortable throughout each exercise and could hardly tell it was on until I started sweating.

During the abs section I could feel it sliding around a bit and a few air pockets formed. Luckily the music volume concealed any noise from the belt. I continued through each different exercise and towards the end I had worked up a good sweat, more than normal I thought. This is the moment I took a glance at myself in the mirror and was horrified at what I saw.

It totally looked like I had peed my pants! I was so embarrassed. Apparently all the abdominal sweating I was doing wasn't actually being absorbed into the belt, but gravity was taking it down south. It was ridiculous. And of course it didn't help that I had on a gray pair of workout pants. That totally accentuated the pee look.

After class I immediately took off the belt, put it away, and tied my shirt around my waist. A few members came up to me afterwards and I explained my dilemma. Of course I had to laugh at myself, and jokingly I vowed next time I would remember to wear my Depends.

Why is it that I have to learn lessons the hard (and embarrassing) way?