Life Lessons I Learned at the Gym
Over my relatively short lifetime, I’ve spent a sizable percentage of it at a gym. Apartment gyms, work gyms, Gold’s gym, barre class, yoga class… the list goes on. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it, but I keep going back. I was feeling a little introspective last night, and started thinking about a few of the lessons I’ve learned at the gym that have served me well in life. Here they are, and I’d love to hear your own:
Difficulty doesn’t equal permission to give up. The whole point of working out is to push yourself. If it’s not difficult, you’re not growing. There isn’t really much point to lifting a 2lb dumbbell every single day. You have to give those muscles a challenge. As soon as you hit one goal, you have to move on to the next one. Just because work is difficult or a friendship feels hard, doesn’t mean you get to throw in the towel. Pushing through it is what makes you learn, grow, and become a better person.
You don’t know what someone else is going through. Yes it’s annoying to see that girl texting on the treadmill next to you, walking at a snails pace, barely breaking a sweat. Maybe it’s because she doesn’t want to mess up her makeup, or maybe, just maybe, it’s because she’s recovering from an injury. Maybe she had a sprained ankle or a pulled hamstring. Just because she looks fine from the outside, doesn’t mean she is. It’s the same way with people. Maybe that person had a short temper because they’re dealing with something bigger. Maybe someone made that mean comment because of their own insecurities. It might not be fair, but cut people some slack. You can’t see what’s on their mind.
What feels good in the short term, isn’t always good for the long term. Hitting the snooze button, or grabbing that greasy pizza and sitting on your butt all weekend might feel great in the short term, but I promise it will not serve you well in the long term. It’s breaking a difficult bad habit, even when it’s tempting to say “just one more”. It’s not about once single choice, it’s about all of those little choices that add up to a lifestyle. It’s lots of “short terms” that equal the “long term” so be careful what you choose.
At the ripe age of 25, I’m by no means wise, but these are a few things I’ve learned a long the way. Now share your wisdom with me!
I can’t help but think of the woman I once saw on the elliptical wearing a magenta night gown. I was happy that at least I had gotten dressed to be in the gym but really, at least she made her way their too. Better than sitting on the couch….lol..I have also been the girl on the treadmill yapping each morning to my friend about the craziness that was my life during the early days of my divorce. There was one woman who every morning would totally listen and make faces at me but at least I was getting healthy therapy through exercise and talking to my friend.
Hahaha that’s hilarious that she was in a nightgown! But hey, she was there! ๐
LOVE THIS LIZ!!! Probably one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned (both from the gym, and from blogging about fitness/healthy living) is “Don’t compare someone else’s best to your every day”. Sometimes you go to the gym, and you see someone just flying on the treadmill. Or some chick that is squating a loaded bar. I used to catch myself thinking “ugh, look at me – I’m only running at a 6.0” or “Man, I’ll never have biceps like that.” Until I realized that thinking like that gets me nowhere. You dont know – that girl might just be having an awesome running day after weeks of crappy runs. Or that chick might have strong quads, but is secretly really insecure about her biceps too. Comparing does nothing but hurt you.
I definitely need to stop comparing myself to people, too! It’s such an easy trap to fall in to!
Great post, Liz! While I haven’t been to a gym in quite a while I’m a fan of analyzing what certain experiences have taught us. These might not have to do with workouts only but two of my favourite lessons learned at the gym are:
1. It’s okay to ask for help: When I first started training at a gym many of the machines were huge mysteries to me so I stuck with what was self-explanatory. It wasn’t until after a while that I ‘dared’ asking others to explain some of the other machines to me.
2. Don’t judge a book by its cover: Those bulked up men lifting the heaviest weights? Arrogant jerks. Or so I thought before one of them approached me offering to help out in terms of #1. Yes, there are some idiots but you’ll find those everywhere. Being positively surprised by people you’d have assumed to be different is great and these experiences were.
Hah! that’s so funny that a “meat head” came and helped you out! You’re right, I shouldn’t judge those people either!
I love the introspective kind of stuff! This is a great list. ๐
I think the one thing I’ve learned is that change doesn’t happen overnight. You have to keep working on your goals and acknowledge the little victories – it’s not about the destintation, it’s the journey that counts!
That is SO true, Parita!
Lots of little short terms DO equal the long term! Very well put Liz!
Here’s what I’ve learned in the gym.
You are never to old to move your body. Do not use age as an excuse.
Learn how your body operates. Form is second to getting to the gym (or wherever you are choosing to purposely improve your physical health).
Half the battle is starting, so once you start you might as well give 110%!
You don’t have to exercise for hours, but the time that you do exercise must be intense and focused.
Examine your reasons for not exercising and make sure the “reason” isn’t really just an excuse.
Have a plan.
There will always be someone that is better than you at the gym. There will always be someone not as good as you. Stop comparing. It will make you envious or arrogant and neither of those are healthy.
I could go on but it’s time to go exercise!
Half the battle really IS starting! Once I get to the gym, I can usually get motivated!! And I have GOT to stop comparing! That’s a tough one, but a good one!
This is such a great post and I certainly agree. I think the hardest thing is you really don’t know what other people are going through. It’s frustrating but I try and remember it too.
These are so true, Liz! Especially the part about choosing long-term satisfaction over instant gratification, particularly when it’s raining, snowy, or you’re just feeling lazyโit can be so hard to get to the gym. But I find I always feel better when I’m sticking to a regular workout routine, and even if I do eat a sugary snack or slice of greasy pizza, my body handles it way better than when I’m being a couch potato!
very cool. I am working on a post on gym vs no gym – I will be linking this life lessons. I can relate so much to all these.
#3 is so TRUE. I was under the false impression that because my body could run endless miles and workout almost everyday of the week that it would never catch up with me. WRONG. It definitely did and I’m paying for it now. I’m over the whole beating myself up for it thing but now I’m just trying to remember that just because other people can keep up that kind of schedule doesn’t mean I can, it that is okay! It’s a work in progress though. Happy weekend beauts!