There are two things I don't like about the gym. Firstly, the fact that there are mirrors in there. Why would I want to stare at myself wobbling on the treadmill or the cross trainer? Why would I want to stare at some fat, bald, middle aged bloke trying to get fit. Additionally, mirrors attract the shallowest of people. I watched, as I loped along on the cross trainer, people sit on the exercise machines adjusting themselves - to be able to see themselves on it. I stared and, to my shame, smirked at them as they pouted and tried to look like a catwalk model being photographed whilst on the equipment.
Then there is the men. Oh holy Mary the amount of men sat staring at themselves whilst lifting weights was enough to elicit a sharp whiff of mirth as I watched them staring at their muscles as the weights were going up...and down...and up...and down...and vomit.
Now you may think that I am passing judgement here...I am. But only on the mirrors and those that are only going to the gym to pose and try to look good for all the other gym members who are wobbling around trying to lose weight...or trying to impress the absolute Gods, with muscles tearing open their T-shirts (amazingly they are not looking at themselves in the mirrors).
The second thing I don't like about the gym is that, after doing my time on the cross trainer and on the treadmill, when I arrive at home for the shower...I'm still the fat, wobbly bloke that went to the gym an hour previously. Why aren't I now ripped? Why don't I have a six pack and huge muscles? It's always disappointing to get home and find I still wobble! But hey, eventually I may start to become the bloke who doesn't!
On a serious note, it was nice to get back to the gym tonight and actually raise my heart rate a bit. I had to take it easy on the treadmill, as I could feel my calf pulling a little and didn't want to go off like I was still 20 and thin and fit and end up injuring myself. My wife was there also, doing everything I was doing. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and, if I didn't have a lot of work to do, I would have stayed for longer. We are trying to go three times a week and, gradually, stay for longer as we lose the weight and become fitter.
I have also kept to the food regime I produced with the wife on Sunday and have eaten lots of fruit and veg, as well as a multi-vitamin tablet to give me an extra boost. Having calculated my calories, I don't think that I have eaten enough for the day and this is something I will have to watch, because if I don't eat enough calories, then I am going to lose muscle density and this will lead to injury. Plus, losing too rapidly will mean that I will simply pile it back on again if I stop. But as I said in a previous blog, these things are there for tweaking and, once this week is over, I'll reflect and tweak!
Therefore, I will continue what I am doing this week and then see what I need to change next week to make it healthier or more maintainable.
One noticeable affect, though, is that today my energy levels were high and I had no mid afternoon dip. I carried on without feeling tired at any point in the day. This is something I will be watching to see if it is replicated throughout the week. I am really excited about today and am looking forward to going to the gym again on either Wednesday or Thursday. The endorphin release is great (and the shower afterwards is even greater)! Until then...
Thanks for reading.
Stay strong. Stay honest!
Sean.
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