I realized something, not too long after moving into an apartment complex that boasts a free gym. I guess, I realized something about myself, that is. Having a gym means you actually have to work out! As much as we all love free stuff, the old saying comes to mind, 'that nothing is ever really free.' And the cost of having a 'free' gym? Having to endure the hardship of actually working out! Why was I not warned about this?!!
My secondary realization is, that having a free gym is almost worse than paying for one, because you know it's sitting over there, waiting for you, not charging you to use it. If you don't take advantage of it, it's like you are saying 'NO' to free!
Having never owned a gym membership, I didn't fully understand the whole programed-work-out-in-a-room-of-a-bunch-of-equipment-with-other-sweaty-worker-outers. Believe me, I know what a work out is. I've drained myself in the sun, digging, mowing, hauling, weeding, etc. I've hiked hills. I've swam and wake-boarded at the lake. I've played softball and participated in sports. Meaning, I've done various activities that provide a 'work-out', but I don't have experience with this new indoor room with weights to move around meaninglessly. It is becoming evident, that my mode of operation requires a clear purpose, or a goal, or something to accomplish. Oh, I suppose I can set goals for myself in the gym too, but it just feels so robotic and empty. I don't get to see a beautiful view on the top of a hill and feel the sense of accomplishment for hiking all the way up there. I don't get to walk away from a yard leaving it in much better condition than I found it. And I don't find any fun out of it! It is just not what I hoped it would be!!
I'm not giving up this soon though! Oh, no! I will persevere and learn to love it. At least I hope I will! I have to. Because, after all, I don't have a yard or garden to toil in (thank you maintenance men!), and winter is upon us, eliminating outdoor hiking, swimming, and sporting. So, my only real option is indoor gym time. But that will all change come spring time, when softball is in the air and some lucky Omaha rec-league acquires me as their newest talent and free agent!!
Assign yourself the task of moving all the weights from one end of the room to the other and then...wait, those don't belong there, and then move them all back. To work the legs and shoulders, decide that all the weights need to be on top of a shelf or piece of equipment and then decide that that's not right and take them down again. "Mow the lawn" by holding the handle of the treadmill and walking or jogging, "pushing" the lawn mower in front of you.
ReplyDeleteIt's a trick that makes it seem like you're actually accomplishing something!!