The Gym


At least 80% of the population who have membership at a gym deal with a very f@cked up delima. Some of us insist on looking our best before entering a gym. Seriously. If I’m feeling fat or less than buff, it’s very hard to bring myself to the gym because I often feel like an awkward newbie in the fast of old vets. But what really scares me is when there is someone, who through years of my own conditioning, I would least expect to be in great shape, shows up and looks incredible.

I’m speaking about a man who is at least in his 60’s. His short cropped, stylish grey crew cut and the imperfections of his well pampered, cosmetically enhanced skin, are the only indications of his age.

On first glance, I’d say he is perfectly proportioned with a 31-32 inch waste, his arms are like pipes, and there is not one ounce of fat anywhere to be seen. I can’t help but stare.

What poseses someone to care for themselves to such degree, while others seem to just accept falling apart as time goes by? It’s as if some people live Donne’s death-be-not-proud mantra and defy it, only going to their graves kicking and screaming, and immaculately presentable along the way.

At any rate, he inspires me to be the best that I can be right now . And on some shameful level, regret that I never thought that way before.




John Donne

DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
\ For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
5 Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
10 And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.p
[Edited 8/20/05 21:44pm]

Ive always been perplexed with peeps who need to get in shape before they get in shape at the gym. The problem is that peeps keep putting it off and nothing ever gets done about it. Half the battle is getting there. The other half is knowing what youre doing once youre there.

It always makes me smile to see seniors jogging in the mornings and pumping iron with people less than half their age. They are in great shape, good health and they feel good about themselves. It makes me want to aspire to even greater things. They are an inspiration to us all.

That's why I go to a gym that's for woman only, don't have to worry about looking "cute" just go and do your thing.

Sweeny79 said:

Yep

luv4u said:

Heck yes!

i've never understood the whole women's gym thing.

i just go.... who cares what i look like... i wake up and go don't even bother with my hair or shave.

i'm not there to impress anyone just to work out.

ehuffnsd said:

With a hawt little ass like yours, it's easy for you to say.

homosexual overtone to this story.....

jerseykrs said:

Wow, that last one was really tasteless.....

I kid you not, I'm watching Sybil right now.....

jerseykrs said:

Vanity.

Dan, did you know John Donne wrote three of my favorite poems in the world?

Tennyson is my favorite, though.

Nero said:

See? We should get married.

Imago777 said:

Clearly, there's all of two reasons.

Dark house, by which once more I stand
Here in the long unlovely street,
Doors, where my heart was used to beat
So quickly, waiting for a hand,
A hand that can be clasp'd no more--
Behold me, for I cannot sleep,
And like a guilty thing I creep
At earliest morning to the door.
He is not here; but far away
The noise of life begins again,
And ghastly thro' the drizzling rain
On the bald street breaks the blank day.

Nero said:

With what we know of the benefits of excercise, I find it bizzare why people, even at the gym, make gpoing to the gym into more than something done for maintenance of the body. I go, take care of business and leave without caring what I look like or what anybody else is doing.

I just work out at home.

Weights one day, exercise bike the next, same ol' stretching and crunches each day beforehand.

Imago777 said:

thank you!

Nero said:

Oh HELL yeah!

In Memoriam!

luv4u said:

What's the deal with "Women Only" gyms. Isn't that a form of discrimination?

I wonder if...



...Gloria Allred would take my case.

I doubt it since i'm not a big-time celebrity

Don't take this seriously (unless you really have to).

tA
France countdown - T-Minus 4 days and counting.

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

theAudience said:

There are "men only" clubs too ya know

luv4u said:

Really?

I would imagine them being clothing optional with balls hanging out and very elaborate bath and sauna rooms.

luv4u said:

Really? (I'm obviously not a Gym attendee)
I'm surprised she hasn't gone after them already.

tA
France countdown - T-Minus 4 days and counting.

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...rmusic.htm

theAudience said:

it's called a bathhouse

at this thread.....

lilgish said:

I aspired for more. But be it as it may, I got shit on.