Just work out, shadow boxer!

Take the title, sing it to the tune of Hold Me Closer Tiny Dancer, and you have an idea of what happens in my head when I see the inevitable shadow boxer at the gym. 

I have worked out at a lot of gyms and there seems to be one at each one.  How they shadow box varies...some shadow box between work sets, some even go full MMA - throwing in kicks, jabs and roundabouts - and then there is the guy at my new gym, who stands in front of the mirror in the free weights section for 30 minutes - taking up precious space, mind you - floating like a butter fly and stinging like a bee.  With himself.  At first I thought he was warming up for a workout, but then he seemed to be satisfied with the fight (maybe he won by KO!) and left.  Seems like an interesting way to spend a monthly fee.  And it's distracting...makes me laugh and messes up my work sets.

I know.  I shouldn't judge.  To each his own and whatever works and all that fun fluffy stuff.  I just don't get it.  Anymore than I got the chick at Pivotal who spent two hours every day in the mirror of the women's section dancing like she was on acid at Woodstock.  I just don't get it.

But I guess some people just don't get what I do either.  I know a lot of people who would happily undergo a root canal rather than lift weights, so I guess it is to each his own. 

Rock on, shadow boxer. 

What do you see when you see me?

When I change into my gym clothes, I turn into a machine.

Literally. 

All of the criticism is gone. 

All of the insecurity disappears. 

I critically analyze what I want to change and I work to change it. 

I feel amazing when I pour sweat.

I love to feel the soreness of my muscles - to know that I worked them so hard.

I love the gym.  I wish I could live in my gym clothes. 

Seriously.

I wish for everyone a love like this. 

To something that is healthy for you. 

Something that builds you up. 

Makes you a better (stronger!) person. 

Gives you a goal (or goals) to work toward. 

Something to take pride in. 

That requires patience. 

And dedication. 

And willingness.

I wish for you a love like this.

And all it takes is the effort to start - whatever it is you have been wanting to start.

Join that gym.  Or that flag football team.  Take those golf/tennis/dance lessons.  Sign up for the crafting class.  Learn how to put flooring in.  Try that part-time job.  Stop talking about checking out paddle boarding and do it.  Hike Table Rock with a group of friends (so you know you really aren't dying! Lol). 

My love started years ago, but I rekindled the flame when I wanted to lose weight before my wedding.  I hated the training workouts, but something remembered how much I loved Olympic lifting back in the day.  I don't do that anymore, but the memory did get me back to lifting weights, which is my love.  What is your love?