If you are a member of a fitness club or have been in the past, you’ve no doubt seen the personal trainers leading those pathetic souls around the gym, working them out to the point of collapse. Sweating profusely, these poor folks subject themselves to all manner of pain and sacrifice.
So why would anyone do this, let alone PAY handsomely for the privilege?
Well in my case, I subject myself to this abuse for two reasons …
- My trainer, Andrew at the Rush Fitness Center, is a BIG dude.
- I can’t outrun him.
So twice a week now for a couple of months, Andrew has been leading me around the club doing all manner of weight training, including core training. All this is helping me discover muscles I never knew I had (thank God for Aleve).
Seriously though, it’s been a great investment in me. For a long time, I was really in good shape and worked out regularly. About 10 years ago, I even did the California AIDS Ride, which is a 585 mile, seven day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles (it’s now known as the AIDS/LifeCycle).
Over the past couple of years, I lost focus and about 35 pounds found me in the process. But with Andrew’s help, I’m down 16 pounds so far, and thinking I’d like to shed about 20 more while adding some muscle in the process.
But more important than numbers, I want to be more fit than I have ever been before.
So does this mean I’m going to hand over the keys to the van this September and run in the Blue Ridge Relay Race as a member of Team Little Guy (as Slacker has done)? NO! Because unless bears (or Andrew) are chasing me, I see no need in running.
But I am going to do the Black and Blue Relay in July, which is a 208 mile, one day bike ride in the mountains. I’ll be teaming up with Ed Agnoli and two other people to form a team.
I won’t be racing to win … not by a long shot – but it will be my statement to myself that my days of sitting on the sidelines are over.
I’m back in the game.
Filed under: Fitness, Team Little Guy |
CU Communicator 
You inspire me. I paid for the privilege of a personal trainer many years ago. You know how you brush your teeth extra long before you go to the dentist? Well, I was restricting my food intake to try and look more in shape. About 15 minutes into the workout he looked at my pale wheezing self and said, “Did you eat anything today?”
I spent my first session in the club restaurant with my trainer. Kind of a metaphor for me. Who else would end up EATING on their first training session. Help.
After 40 gravity is the enemy. I’m determined to make it my friend again this year.
I gotta go work out!
Thanks again for your inspiration.
Thanks for the post! I battle the “shoulds” (I should work out) every day. It is a hard battle to find the discipline (I know because I haven’t found it yet) but none of us really have an excuse. Thanks for the inspiration…maybe that will help me do something productive today 🙂
@Denise – You inspire me! You fired me up when you let me know about your goal to do another marathon. Hope that your training is going well, and please keep me posted!
@Jonathan – it’s tough to set the time aside, isn’t it?! Good luck!
Jeff – good effort! Maybe Southpark will ride with you…he’s an avid biker and always likes an excuse to get out of town for the weekend.