Okay. True confessions. I'm a gym rat. Maybe you'd guess the rat part from the Ernest picture. I've been a pretty avid/rabid weight trainer since I was 12 years old. There have been several long stretches of time in my life when I've been very dedicated, spending a couple of hours a day, 6 or 7 days a week, in the gym. The past 9 years have been one of them. I'd like to think that it shows. Can't tell from the Ernest picture.
I really enjoy the challenge of lifting and the complex biomechanics, nutrition, and psychology required to do it right. I also enjoy the gym atmosphere. The people that I've encountered have been almost uniformly friendly and encouraging, especially at the university, laying aside whatever roles and titles they have in the outside world, offering help when needed, and generally looking out for each other. I guess that there is a scene but it's mostly confined to certain times of the day and a minority of the diligent liberators of sweat.
I've made a lot of friends when working out along with the skeleto-muscular and cardio-vascular benefits. It has given me a place of stability when all hell has broken loose in other aspects of my life and it has given me a point of focus, helping me learn dedication. I'm not the strongest or the prettiest or the anything-est but I truly value the time I've put in challenging and improving myself. I would heartily recommend that everyone find something that physically challenges them and pursue it in whatever measure that they find pleasurable and sustainable. It could be 10 minute walks at sunset or yoga or cycling or triathlons or ..., as long as you enjoy it and it doesn't cross the boundary from fun into driving, excruciating toil. It's important to engage your physical self in some way that is constructive and fun.
Mark A. Martin <mark@mark-a-martin.us>
Last modified: Tue Jul 25 17:26:26 CDT 2000
