(no subject)
I've had this very conversation about 8,000x of late, so I feel like posting it here. Since I have nothing in my life to make me genuinely miserable, I find it very hard to find things to write about.
Most people join a gym initially because they want to lose weight/look better/return to some younger, fitter version of themselves. I was probably consistent with that in February 2003, when I joined a gym for the first time. I'd be ecstatic to lose weight and look better, yup. Wouldn't we all?
As of today, in July 2007, I don't go to the gym to lose weight and look better.
I'm not sure why this concept is hard to grasp for a lot of people, but there is so much satisfaction, good health and good feeling, personal strength and ability, that comes from working out. Everything I do is for some purpose... strength training is for increased strength in targeted muscle groups, pilates is for core strength and for strength in a full range of motion (the little muscles that work as you transfer weight from one major muscle group to another), spinning is for overall cardio ability as well as leg muscle endurance and core strength (weight loss would fit into this category, for sure). Those are the three activities I'm focusing on at the moment (each week currently includes 2 pilates, 1 strength training and 3 spin), though I would expect to be back swimming in the fall and perhaps try my hand at running again.
When I think about losing weight, I think about decreasing my actual mass to improve my physical abilities--which is becoming key in terms of running (at which I suck). I weigh just under 220lbs right now, and I can tell you there's a lot of muscle in that, but I'm also ~34% body fat which is very much too high. I'd be fit at 190lbs, given the amount of muscle I've got, and I expect the amount of muscle to increase... so likely my days of being less than 200lbs are over (note that 185-190lbs was my pre-mono weight). I'm honest about the numbers because I'm not afraid of them. Every once in a while, I catch a glimpse of my back and some of the new definition there, and I get really excited--not because I look better in a halter, but because it's now visible how much work I put into those muscle groups. Same goes for legs... I enjoy wearing shorter skirts and workout tights and lululemon pants and knowing that you can see my strong hamstrings and definition in my calves. You can also see the burgers and candy I ate last week, but thems the breaks (I'm not perfect!).
When I go to a pilates or spin class or a trainer session, almost every time, I am startled and impressed by my ability to do something that I couldn't do before, or handle something better than I could before. Some milestones include the rollover (which I was good at when I weighed 180lbs, but that extra 40lbs of mostly-lower-body weight has made it more difficult; i still use a bit of momentum), the standing sprint (spin; requires good core support), men's pushups... probably others.
The point is, I spend a lot of hours at the gym, I derive a lot of enjoyment from it; it is a large part of my life and lifestyle, and it means a lot to me, personally, to be there. After a year of not being able to go, and after the intense effort with which I fought to regain that lifestyle, I am more dedicated and appreciative than ever. To hear it dismissed as a weight loss scheme, or vanity, is insulting on multiple levels.
Most people join a gym initially because they want to lose weight/look better/return to some younger, fitter version of themselves. I was probably consistent with that in February 2003, when I joined a gym for the first time. I'd be ecstatic to lose weight and look better, yup. Wouldn't we all?
As of today, in July 2007, I don't go to the gym to lose weight and look better.
I'm not sure why this concept is hard to grasp for a lot of people, but there is so much satisfaction, good health and good feeling, personal strength and ability, that comes from working out. Everything I do is for some purpose... strength training is for increased strength in targeted muscle groups, pilates is for core strength and for strength in a full range of motion (the little muscles that work as you transfer weight from one major muscle group to another), spinning is for overall cardio ability as well as leg muscle endurance and core strength (weight loss would fit into this category, for sure). Those are the three activities I'm focusing on at the moment (each week currently includes 2 pilates, 1 strength training and 3 spin), though I would expect to be back swimming in the fall and perhaps try my hand at running again.
When I think about losing weight, I think about decreasing my actual mass to improve my physical abilities--which is becoming key in terms of running (at which I suck). I weigh just under 220lbs right now, and I can tell you there's a lot of muscle in that, but I'm also ~34% body fat which is very much too high. I'd be fit at 190lbs, given the amount of muscle I've got, and I expect the amount of muscle to increase... so likely my days of being less than 200lbs are over (note that 185-190lbs was my pre-mono weight). I'm honest about the numbers because I'm not afraid of them. Every once in a while, I catch a glimpse of my back and some of the new definition there, and I get really excited--not because I look better in a halter, but because it's now visible how much work I put into those muscle groups. Same goes for legs... I enjoy wearing shorter skirts and workout tights and lululemon pants and knowing that you can see my strong hamstrings and definition in my calves. You can also see the burgers and candy I ate last week, but thems the breaks (I'm not perfect!).
When I go to a pilates or spin class or a trainer session, almost every time, I am startled and impressed by my ability to do something that I couldn't do before, or handle something better than I could before. Some milestones include the rollover (which I was good at when I weighed 180lbs, but that extra 40lbs of mostly-lower-body weight has made it more difficult; i still use a bit of momentum), the standing sprint (spin; requires good core support), men's pushups... probably others.
The point is, I spend a lot of hours at the gym, I derive a lot of enjoyment from it; it is a large part of my life and lifestyle, and it means a lot to me, personally, to be there. After a year of not being able to go, and after the intense effort with which I fought to regain that lifestyle, I am more dedicated and appreciative than ever. To hear it dismissed as a weight loss scheme, or vanity, is insulting on multiple levels.