GOING TO THE GYM

It started out in 2002 as my "Lenten Sacrifice". I decided rather than going with the traditional "giving something up" for Lent, that I would work on my body. After all, the whole idea of Lent is to do something positive that will make a change in your life, right? So, I joined my local YMCA.

So, to the gym I went religiously, as it were, for about a year and a half. It was a positive experience and something I really enjoyed doing, and even looked forward to. Things changed in my life and I dropped the gym membership. I continued to work out from time to time, and even joined another gym for about a year, however, I view that period of time as a colossal waste of time and money because I didn't go enough to make it worth it.

So, about two years ago, I returned to the YMCA. The YMCA is convenient, as it is just a few blocks away from me during the day. I have to be a member of a gym because I'll never work out at home. I'm just not that motivated, even though we have a full gym in our house, with nice equipment. It works for my significant other, not me.

Here's my confession: Even though I returned to the gym two years ago, I'm finding it difficult to be motivated. I'm not exactly suffering from obesity. In fact, a lot of people tell me that I look the best I've ever looked. Still, I know that I need to go to the gym. It's essential for my physical well-being, not to mention my mental well-being. I don't anticipate my ever having a six pack or appearing on the cover of Men's Health. I do a minimal amount of exercise while I'm there, but I guess the fact that I'm going is good, if only I would go consistently. I try to motive myself by saying that it is costing me $11+ per week. That doesn't even work like it used to. I've considered hiring a personal trainer to motivate me, but that would cost a little more money than I can really spare right now and I would like to go to the group Yoga classes, but I've never done it before and don't want to make a fool of myself.

How do I get myself out of this quagmire? My priorities are not about having the finest body on the block. I'm far more interested in stretching myself intellectually these days than I am physically. Besides, if you stretch your mind, you're not going to be in pain. If you stretch a muscle, you could tear it or injure yourself. Who wants that? Until then I get out of this rut, I'll just keep chanting my mantra: "I'll start back at the gym on Monday. I'll go everyday."

But today, I'm just going for a chicken tender meal at Milo's.