Discouraging Thoughts at the Gym

I’ve been going to my gym for about a year and a half now off and on. Sometimes my attendance is more on and usually sometimes it’s more off. I like to hit the gym first thing in the morning--before dawn. It’s normally dark when I leave the house and it’s still dark when I leave the gym, ready to begin my day.

I don’t particularly enjoy working out, but I do love the way I feel after a workout. I love that getting my workout in first thing in the morning gets it out of the way for the day. And because I’m getting up earlier and do not have to hit the gym after work, it makes me feel as though I’m gaining a couple of hours in my day. And I’m all about having more time in my day.

Since I discovered the joy of early morning workouts, I stumbled upon the biggest advantage of all: the gym is a better place early in the morning. I can use any machine I want and I never have to wait in line. It’s less crowded than after work, even with all the New Year’s Resolution people.

In fact, I’ve only noticed a couple of new faces in the morning. For the most part, the regular morning crowd rules the gym in the pre-dawn hours. And in some ways this is not a good thing.

Going every morning and seeing the same people day in and day out can be disheartening and discouraging. What do I mean by this? Well, how do I say this politely? Some of the regulars are really fit people who are just as fit, if not more so, than they were one year ago. And some of the regulars are out of shape people who are just as out of shape now, if not more so, than they were one year ago. Some of them have butts that are, well, chunky. It’s not nice to say that, but the truth does hurt.

And I don’t know what their habits are after they workout. Maybe some of them go home and eat an entire chocolate cake after their workouts. I don’t know. And maybe they’re not as regular at the gym as I think they are, since I wasn’t all that regular last year. I just don’t know. Maybe they notice that I am just as out of shape, if not more so, than I was last year. I don’t know. Maybe the chunky butt is a genetic trait they can't help. I do not know.

What I do know is that I want to see equal results for my effort. And since I am a very regular, regular I want to become a really fit, fit person.

I do not want to end up with a chunky butt.

Comments

[Charlene]

I think you hit it when you said they go home and eat. Many people workout and feel now they CAN go and eat what they want. Putting themselves in a cycle of not burning any fat.

Also I never understood how one can read and do some serious cardio. My eyes would be bouncing all over the page, I need to concentrate on my breathing. Reading a novel.. that is not working out. Or at least it NOT pushing yourself.

[Me]

Charlene,

Now that you mention it, a lot of these people do read while they "workout."

But some of them have been working with a physical trainer and are still not making much progress. That's what baffles me. It's quite pricey to workout with a trainer--I'd think they would want to get their money's worth. But maybe I'm nuts! =)

[Chris]

Just like to add that I've started running again this month. Just need to shed some pounds that I've put on since I quit running about 14 months ago. I found it kinda of depressing to read my running log. Just need to get back to running.

[Allison]

Also, some of those guys (especially the guys) are all weights and no cardio. Also, some of the personal trainers aren't that great. An acquaintance of mine used to imitate her trainer- she'd be looking in the mirror, flexing, and winking, while counting- 'one- two...'. Evidently, that's all the guy did! She kept going, she said, 'cause he was hot! ;0)

Good for you for getting up so early- I'll bet that gives you a ton of energy!