PROPs to Those at the Gym!

The other day, I saw an internet meme about the gym. It basically stated that the next time you go to the gym and make fun of someone overweight who is working out, you should realize that at least they are there making an effort. We shouldn't bash someone for trying!

The newbies at the gym are (at the very least) realizing that they need to be healthier and doing something about it. And we should all be supporting each other whether it's doing the 50 day push-up challenge, day '1' at the gym or day '365'!!

I have realized that this should also apply when I sometimes see someone walking very slowly on the treadmill or moving slowly on the elliptical machine. I don't know what their health issues are or their training capacity is. I need to give them props for just being there.

When I had my surgery in December 2015, I took 4 weeks off from the gym. I got back into it slowly. I didn't want to overlift or overdo it with cardio for fear of (ICK) ripping out stitches. I took baby steps for my first couple weeks back. As I was already working out and in good shape, I benefited from this and actually recovered quicker from the surgery.

To those who are now in-shape: remember when you were just beginning to exercise? I was so weak. I would get winded after 20 minutes on the elliptical. Now I can go for an hour or more. When I started lifting weights, I could only bench press 125 pounds. Now I bench press 265. It takes commitment, time, and patience. You gotta start somewhere. I did.

We all start at the bottom and work our way up. How wonderful is it that people are in the gym trying to get into shape! We've all heard about the statistics on the obesity of America (see below). Give those people your support and encouragement! Give it even to the awkward guy on the treadmill who is jogging in a pair of jeans. Good for him! Now buddy, just get yourself to the Goodwill thrift store and pick up some running shorts for a buck and you may run faster.

I know I post that I am at the gym alot. I don't post it to makes others feel guilty or pump myself up. But I will admit that the encouragement from friends feels good. For me, it's about accountability. Publicly stating I'm at the gym holds me accountable that I am on schedule. It may not work for others, but it works and helps me. I also hope to inspire others as they have inspired me.

I still get highly annoyed though when the gym is crowded and people hog the machines over the 30 minute time limit (during peak hours). If you wanna run for 2 hours on a treadmill, it happens to be a 24 hour gym. Come at 2 am and you can run till sunrise! And make sure you wipe the machines off people. I don't need to slide around on your sweat. (Hurl!)


Facts on obesity in America (found on http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html):

Obesity is common, serious and costly:

• More than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese.
• Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death.
• The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was $147 billion in 2008 U.S. dollars; the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.

NOTE from Blogger:  Make sure you consult your doctor before starting any exercise program!