"Lighter Moments at the Gym" by TEE Shots (Senior Writer Tom Embrey)

Lighter Moments at the Gym

March 3, 2010

Sometimes when it hurts so bad, it's good to laugh.

I was reminded of that lesson this morning during my regular weekly workout with my trainer, Randy.

It really wasn't that today's workout was much harder than normal (Don't get any ideas for next week, Randy), but I think I am still regaining my wind from having been sick for a couple of weeks.

The last three days I have upped the duration and the difficulty of my cardio workout and I regretted that a bit this morning.

About 30 minutes (Okay, probably more like 20 cuz I was stalling some today) of work with kettle bells and medicine balls and I was toast. Legs were jelly. It was tough, but then we hit a couple of funny moments.

First when I was winding up the workout with six Burpees-- the exercises I described in last week's blog post. This morning I had company in the workout room. As Randy announced we'd be doing the dreaded Burpee, the other fella working out in the room fired out, "Burpees suck."

He didn't need to tell me. I remembered. But it made me laugh and helped distract me just a bit, making the work not easier, but certainly a bit more tolerable.

The second came as Randy and I were heading back upstairs for my regular date with the scale. I was breathing pretty hard, and he asked if I wanted to take the elevator.

Honestly, at that point, I entertained the idea. Thankfully, I still had my wits about me and a little pride. I informed him there definitely was no way I was going to allow myself to take anything but the stairs.

On the scale I was down another 1.8 pounds. That puts me down a shade over 15 since I started back.

I guess if there is a lesson this week it is this: have fun while you are working out. Find an exercise that you enjoy. There are plenty to choose from, and if you can't decide consult a trainer. They can help guide you to an exercise program that works, and is fun too.

I speak from experience when I say it makes it much easier to work up the sweat if you are having fun. And contrary to my moaning and groaning on this blog, I do enjoy the Wednesday workouts.