Just got back from the gym.
I think the gym is a very interesting place. Let me share some of my thoughts about this place...
First of all, I have never really considered myself a "gym person". I go, but I really have to get myself all motivated. Once I get dressed, and walk into the building I start to feel a little better about myself. I hop on a machine and start to get myself into "workout mode". About 15-20 minutes in, I am ready to quit and go home, but I force myself to "work through it" and usually make it through a good 60-75 minute workout.
Now, while I am working out, I have started to notice the strange world around me. First of all, there are about 3 kinds of people that I have noticed at my gym.
1st- The huge men who walk around like they own the place with their torn off sleeveless shirts and weight belts. They crack me up. I do not find them attractive at all. I find them scary! I also get annoyed by their loud grunts and slamming of weights. Is that really necessary? Can't those big muscles hold up those weights for about 10 more seconds, or do you have to scream and drop them? I guess they just need the attention.
2nd- There are the "beautiful people". They walk around in their little sports bras, short shorts, and perfect hair and make up. They are "working out" but somehow I never see a drop of sweat or a hair out of place. They too get a lot of attention. Guys just happen to find a treadmill right beside of these girls or when they walk by a bunch of eyes follow their every move. This makes "trying to lose the baby weight (+) mommys" feel great about themselves!
3rd- There are my "gym heroes" (the older, handicapped, and overweight people.) These are the people who I really watch and learn from. They inspire me so much.
For instance -
One time I was sweating away on the bike. I was ready to go home, but I watched this teenage boy who was probably 300+ pounds laying on the floor. He would sit there and then do about 2-5 push ups and then would rest a second. Then he would do it again. This process continued over and over. Next I watched him go through the same process with some sit-ups. He was sweating and out of breath, but he didn't give up. I was so proud of him. It also made me proud of myself. I remember when I first started working out, and it was hard! If I gave up, then nothing will ever improve. He really motivated me.
Another time, I was lifting some weights. (Not really a fan, but I know I have to do it.) Again, I was counting down the minutes when I could go home. Then this older lady with a walker came and sat right down next to me. Her husband helped her set the machine to the lowest weight and she started to work out her arms. I was so impressed. No, she wasn't lifting a lot of weight, but she was there doing what she could. It hit me that I was glad I was at the gym. I am young and healthy and someday I don't want to look back and think, "I should have done that when I could have."
My last example is also a weight lifting story. I was on the elliptical machine (which I have a love/hate relationship with). I noticed that this guy was pushing a wheelchair across the gym floor. Then he stopped, picked up the guy in the wheelchair, and put him on an ab machine. He then helped him set the weight and watched as the guy impressively did crunch after crunch. When I looked closer, the guy had no legs, but above his waist, he had the body that most men would probably love to have. "Wow!", I thought. I was so inspired. I complain about my body, but I need to be making the most out of what God has given me, just like that guy in the wheelchair.
Those are my inspirational stories from the gym. Do they make me want to jump out of bed every morning, go to the gym, run 20 miles, lift some weights, etc... NO! But they help me to remember that I need to be there at the gym. Not just to lose some weight. Not just to be healthier. But because I am a temple for the Lord and it may not be the most beautiful temple, but it is the one that God designed for me.
