My thighs scream as I do my 50th squat of the night, and I, too, am about to scream from the excruciating pain of lactic acid building up in my gluteus maximus. Sweat pours down my face as I avoid eye contact with any of my fellow gym goers because I have resolved to leave the fitness center. Those abs that I was planning on toning out, that was going to have to wait, because my body was already pounding from my 30 minutes of cardio.
I descend down the stairs toward my locker, and as I’m grabbing my belongings from within it, I notice a strange sight to my left. One of the students at my university is riding on an exercise bike...with a broken arm! I’m astounded; I can rarely work up the motivation to come to the gym when I’ve eaten too much pasta that day, but here this girl is, pedalling as furiously as ever! I’m suddenly conflicted, but I leave the gym anyway.
As I’m showering, I reflect on the situation. That woman was so determined to keep her body in shape that, regardless of her injury, she marched to the gymnasium, jumped on a bike and worked her legs like her life depended on it. Immediately, I was ashamed at my own lack of determination, and I resolved that I would go to the gym more frequently in hopes of maintaining some routine.
That happened a year ago. The stranger really impressed me, and I have her to thank for my recent weight loss and my new perspective.
As a society, we agonize over the very thought of slipping on some tennis shoes and going for a run. Even the idea of working up a sweat as we walk up the stairs to class or work frustrates us. Exercising is a burden in our eyes, and most of us will do almost anything to evade the elliptical in order to mow down on a tub of fries. I’m still guilty of doing that from time to time, but ever since I witnessed the injured girl at the gym, I’ve had a few revelations that keep me in check.
Working out is a privilege, folks!
We are privileged because we have the ability to move our bodies in ways that others don’t. People have severed limbs and paralyzed backs—they long for a day when science will retrieve the physical abilities that they lost, but we complain whenever we “have” to go for a run or lift some weights. Actually, you get to go for a run and lift some weights because you have the capability to do so. Our physical ability is a blessing, and we too often take it for granted.
Let’s not forget that we also have the extra carbs to burn off! There are people in other countries (and our own) who don’t get enough to eat, but they have to walk miles for water and food despite their malnutrition. We (on the other hand) eat and drink excessively! For the most part, we’re pretty hefty eaters, and therefore, we have the energy to march to the gym and do a few mountain climbers.
Finally, we get to purchase gym memberships and actually use them. Those of us who have extra hours complain about working out, but it’s important to remember that there are others who lack the spare time and money because they’re working three full-time jobs to support their families, or they’re living out on the street and have no access to the facilities.
We are so lucky that we have the ability to move, burn calories and do it in the comfort of a gym. Sometimes, we forget that there are those who lack the abilities, which we might take for granted. I know that when I’m debating a trip to the weight room, I sometimes remember that I’ve even seen a nun sprinting on a treadmill in her habit, and that takes excessive dedication (I even wonder if her sweat doubles as holy water), but I also think about the girl with the temporarily wounded arm, and I happily do a few extra sit-ups and some delicate stretches to finish off my entire workout. Remember, the next time that you’re complaining about the gym that it’s a privilege more than it is a responsibility.
Sweat. Stretch. Run. Breath—and do it all with a little bit of gratefulness.
