Pushing Through It

Today was a rather disappointing day at the gym. It was just an off day. Dragging myself out of bed, seemed tougher than normal. Breakfast, which always makes me feel better (any food makes me feel better, really), didn't quite do the trick. From the moment I left the house, heading to the gym, my body was telling me I wasn't in for an easy workout. My feelings were only reconfirmed when I got out of the subway. The stop that I get off at is two levels underground. Normally, it's one long flight of stairs, then an escalator to the main level, then two short flights to ground level. To my dismay, the escalator wasn't working. (Keeping in mind that I'm the guy who always likes to be moving, I walk up moving escalators, or take the stairs when it's rush hour. I'll pick an unsuspecting commuter and race them to the top, unbeknown to them. If I get on a bus or train that isn't moving fast enough, i'll get out and walk to see who can make it first. Gotta admit, I don't always win those ones, but feel happy for trying anyway. Little mini-competitions like that make things fun for me, and keep me from being lazy on simple things. I win 99% of the time. :))

But today, the escalator that I normally tackle, no-sweat, seemed extra long, and extra taxing on my body. Almost to the point of making me sweat for real. Meanwhile, the entire time I'm traveling, the little voice in my head is asking, "Do I really want to do this?? Why? Why hit the gym in this condition? I'm not gonna survive an entire workout, so why bother? Central Park is nearby, just go chillax, it's a beautiful day outside."

But I remembered a piece of advice I read in one of the popular men's fitness magazines. 'if you aren't feeling good about your workout then, at the very least, promise yourself 15 minutes of workout time.' The philosophy being if you commit to at least 15 minutes of serious exercise (they also suggest sticking to exercises that you are expert at), you'll most likely get into it and finish your workout. If not, then you call it a day and head home, but at least you made it to the gym and made the effort - which is more than 90% of people would do. Most people wouldn't have even made it to the locker room, much less out of the house w/ the intent of working out.

I went to the gym anyways. I opted for an iced coffee before hitting the gym, hoping for some extra energy to help me push through my workout. Changed. Managed to pull out a few good sets. Watching my form seemed to take more energy than the exercises themselves. But after about 20 minutes, I couldn't get into it, my body just wouldn't cooperate. It was like I was running on empty. Plus, i could feel in my gut something bad happening if I decided continue. Slightly disappointed in myself, I hit the showers.

At the end of the day, however, I'm still proud of myself for sticking to my routine and not making some lame excuse for not going. I went, and did the best I could. I can't ask for much more. Would it have been nice to have pushed through the entire workout, and be writing that story instead. Sure. But I don't have any regrets; like I would have if I hadn't gone at all.

Imagine if someone lived their entire life not even trying. How disappointing that would be to look back at all the things they never did. On the flip-side, what if we put everything we had into everything we did, even if it still meant failing every now and then? I hate to get all deep and whatnot, but I really do learn a lot about myself by working out and going to the gym.