One giant gym response
Jan. 16th, 2003 08:36 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
vicarzI do run on about the gym a great deal, but I really don't try to shove it down anyone's throat. Let me know if I do, it's not on purpose (I may not notice subtle hints btw). The gym is a big part of my life, a hobby / interest if you will, so I talk about it a great deal. It’s that or politics, and it’s difficult to talk about politics right now on the local, national, or especially the international level without sounding angry or depressed, so I avoid that.
I wish I knew more people outside the gym that were as fascinated by it as I am. Color me caught between worlds. I don’t know about the gym being filled with preachy people though…I’ve never been pressured in the gym myself, except by myself.
January is a big 'diet' or eat-healthy month, with resolutions and holiday excess being all the rage. I gave into the resolution fever for a few reasons – well one, I was getting out of shape. I had shifted to boxing and ditched much of my weight-lifting regime. Cardio was 100% eliminated outside of class. I was going to the gym less often, and had really let go in terms of soda, candy, and alcohol. The new job, worry about that new job, and my own weakness led me to becoming a soda-holic for a while, even stooping to diet soda. It had to stop, and now was as good a time as any. Resolutions aren’t a bad idea, however arbitrary the date. I like anything that pushes us to better any aspect of ourselves.
It’s true I don’t ‘have’ to work out in the gym, that my body will serve its desk sitting, hallway walking, computer typing purposes perfectly well in many other possible permutations of flesh – but I rather like this one. I know I get a bit nutty about the gym, but motivating myself to be there is a real challenge. I exaggerate things to keep me working there, for often I would much rather watch that Simpson’s re-run, or eat a pizza (the whole thing). Still, I enjoy the benefits the gym gives me: strength, stamina, high energy levels, endorphin buzz, and a rockin feeling of accomplishment.
I don’t need to learn to fight either, but I really have a problem with being picked on and made fun of. I also don’t like seeing others go through similar treatment, so I like to be able to step into as many situations as I can to assist others facing similar types of harassment as I can. The more fit I am, the better I am able to fight. The more I study fighting styles, the more fit I become. While neither fitness nor fighting ability necessarily should matter in this social technological environment, it’s clear to me that they both do.
In my case the little bit of 'looks' that I do posses are related to my fitness level. I’ve seen too many studies that show how many attributions are made about people on the basis of physical appearance to not try and work the system as best I can. No one has ever found me physically attractive when I wasn't in crazy club gear, mostly naked, or doing something cheesy like showing off my pecs. With these looks and a mouth and poor social skills like mine, I need all the help I can get.
I wish I knew more people outside the gym that were as fascinated by it as I am. Color me caught between worlds. I don’t know about the gym being filled with preachy people though…I’ve never been pressured in the gym myself, except by myself.
January is a big 'diet' or eat-healthy month, with resolutions and holiday excess being all the rage. I gave into the resolution fever for a few reasons – well one, I was getting out of shape. I had shifted to boxing and ditched much of my weight-lifting regime. Cardio was 100% eliminated outside of class. I was going to the gym less often, and had really let go in terms of soda, candy, and alcohol. The new job, worry about that new job, and my own weakness led me to becoming a soda-holic for a while, even stooping to diet soda. It had to stop, and now was as good a time as any. Resolutions aren’t a bad idea, however arbitrary the date. I like anything that pushes us to better any aspect of ourselves.
It’s true I don’t ‘have’ to work out in the gym, that my body will serve its desk sitting, hallway walking, computer typing purposes perfectly well in many other possible permutations of flesh – but I rather like this one. I know I get a bit nutty about the gym, but motivating myself to be there is a real challenge. I exaggerate things to keep me working there, for often I would much rather watch that Simpson’s re-run, or eat a pizza (the whole thing). Still, I enjoy the benefits the gym gives me: strength, stamina, high energy levels, endorphin buzz, and a rockin feeling of accomplishment.
I don’t need to learn to fight either, but I really have a problem with being picked on and made fun of. I also don’t like seeing others go through similar treatment, so I like to be able to step into as many situations as I can to assist others facing similar types of harassment as I can. The more fit I am, the better I am able to fight. The more I study fighting styles, the more fit I become. While neither fitness nor fighting ability necessarily should matter in this social technological environment, it’s clear to me that they both do.
In my case the little bit of 'looks' that I do posses are related to my fitness level. I’ve seen too many studies that show how many attributions are made about people on the basis of physical appearance to not try and work the system as best I can. No one has ever found me physically attractive when I wasn't in crazy club gear, mostly naked, or doing something cheesy like showing off my pecs. With these looks and a mouth and poor social skills like mine, I need all the help I can get.
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Comment to myself
Date: 2003-01-16 05:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 05:49 am (UTC)Sometimes I do think "Wow, Jose is so hard on himself and he seems to have an average or above average physique. He must think I'm a horrible, lazy, fat slob." But I suppose that's my issue, not yours.
here was my problem
Date: 2003-01-16 06:11 am (UTC)Re: here was my problem
Date: 2003-01-16 06:20 am (UTC)Re: here was my problem
Date: 2003-01-16 06:44 am (UTC)Do you know there is a rivalry between power lifters and body-builders? Body builders aren't anywhere near as strong as power lifters, doing everything for show purposes. Big ugly guys can lift huge amounts, and have the fuel cells to show for it.
On the other hand I always thing that those fat guys yelling about 'fat chicks' must give in to the power of irony someday...
Re: here was my problem
Date: 2003-01-16 07:31 am (UTC)160.
words fail me.
no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 06:41 am (UTC)That is your issue, not mine :) I am very hard on myself, at least to an outside eye. I'm a pretty forgiving one too - I have FLAGRANT UNCONDITIONAL SELF-LOVE but I'm always trying to be better than I am. I can say horrible things 'to' and about myself, and it doesn't hurt because I don't really feel bad about me per se. The few friends I have that I really trust can do the same thing (and do lol).
I do not think 'ill' of you, or your shape. You work well with what you have, and seem happy with it. Don't give in to paranoia, and please let me know if I do somehting to give that impression - it's not how I feel :)
no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 08:42 am (UTC)i declared a moratorium on *dieting* posts. posts by people about how fat they are/feel and how they pretty much don't eat and avoid all fat/sugar/etc because they feel fat, etc. that sort of post is not constructive at all, and *could* be construed as fishing for compliments ;)
if you want to post about your *fitness* program/plans, that's fine. i'm all about the exercise in order to feel/be healthy, feel good, etc.
i think the real problem i have is with all the self-deprecation. omg i have an extra 2 inches on my waist! eek!
no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 10:08 am (UTC)It's definately not fishing for compliments, at least not when I do it. When I feel like a hottie I'm the first to say it, but if I thought I was in shape I'd be lazy about fitness. Frankly I don't feel pretty unless a lot of people are hitting on me, and not always then either. Compliments don't work, in a word.
I think I spend more time talking about fitness when I'm given the chance, but any time I mention what I'm doing people poo poo me and say "You diet? Work out? But you dont HAVE to..." and I get annoyed and try to explain it to them, which may sound nuerotic...and THAT cycle continues.
It's funny but it does get a lil tired.
no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 10:20 am (UTC)as i said, fitness and health posts are fine by me. i'm a biking nut, and have been known to post about the joyful rides i've gone on. not a fan of the gym myself, i feel too much like a hamster when i'm there.
no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 10:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 06:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 06:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 07:12 am (UTC)make sure you don't have to do anything
Date: 2003-01-16 07:53 am (UTC)Re: make sure you don't have to do anything
Date: 2003-01-16 10:11 am (UTC)I want a mint-chocolate right friggin now!
hey, it's your journal!
Date: 2003-01-16 06:45 am (UTC)Re: hey, it's your journal!
Date: 2003-01-16 06:49 am (UTC)Re: hey, it's your journal!
Date: 2003-01-16 07:09 am (UTC)I might not be fast or slender, but I make a good barrier!
Re: hey, it's your journal!
Date: 2003-01-16 07:33 am (UTC)Re: hey, it's your journal!
Date: 2003-01-16 07:43 am (UTC)heh heh
Date: 2003-01-16 07:45 am (UTC)Re: heh heh
Date: 2003-01-16 08:18 am (UTC)Re: heh heh
Date: 2003-01-16 09:23 am (UTC)Re: hey, it's your journal!
Date: 2003-01-16 07:53 am (UTC)I find it interesting...
Date: 2003-01-16 07:48 am (UTC)Re: I find it interesting...
Date: 2003-01-16 07:54 am (UTC)Re: I find it interesting...
Date: 2003-01-16 09:32 am (UTC)Re: I find it interesting...
Date: 2003-01-17 02:59 pm (UTC)Re: I find it interesting...
Date: 2003-01-18 11:32 am (UTC)Re: I find it interesting...
Date: 2003-01-19 11:22 am (UTC)I've been trying to alternate legs and upperbody with abs everyday. Here's my schecule:
Monday- abs, legs, ride bike for 1/2 hour for cardio
Tuesday- abs, upper body
Wednesday - see Mon
Thursday- see Tues
Friday- night off
Saturday- see Mon
Sunday- see Tues
I didn't go this week due to not feeling well. Today is my BGN, so I'll start up again tomorrow evening. Think we can mesh one or two of our days together? Also, do you go to the gym by Clarendon? I usually go to the Bailey's Crossroads one, but have a sticker on my truck, so I can park at any of them. Let me know what you think. ;-)
no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 08:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 09:06 am (UTC)Yes there is the automatic "oh come off it Jose, you look fabulous" reaction... but your looking fabulous is BECAUSE you're so fitness obsessive, so keep up the good work -- while at the same time taking things a bit easier on yourself!
no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 10:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-01-16 03:29 pm (UTC)BOO!
no subject
Date: 2003-01-17 03:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-01-17 05:35 am (UTC)