There is a question that was posed to me recently and it’s been on my mind, so today we are going to tackle that.
Is the gym that important? Important enough to break plans?
We were discussing a friend of a friend who cannot hang out like they used to because they have found the gym. When asked to hang out they say that they have to hit the gym, no budging! My friend did not understand this concept, and felt like she was dissed and dismissed. (I am horrible at slang)
I agree with this concept, completely. Unless it’s a rest day, I don’t let anything come between me and my workout. I am currently training for a physique competition, in November; so starting the cut now to lean out slow and steady.
In thinking about this question, I started to think about the people in my life – there are only a handful of people in my life that are not gym rats. The closest people to me are competitors like myself or extremely dedicated; our time together is typically gym time. My boyfriend is a Strongman, who is competing in a couple weeks; so he understands my dedication. My best friend L, who is my biggest inspiration; is someone that I got into the gym and now she never misses a workout. L just recently got bitten by the gym bug, and I am so impressed/inspired/motivated by her dedication; I’ve never seen her happier, healthier and more radiant.
Like myself, we both use the gym to feel stronger, mentally. She tells me all the time that I motivated her to get in the gym and I inspire her to get there every day; but she also is the first to yell at me for my eating (I like candy) (and bread) (and things I shouldn’t eat because of my kidneys).
Having these two cheerleaders in my life, is another reason why I push myself so hard.
This morning, I didn’t want to go to leg day! At all! My pain scale is outrageous and stairs were rough to get up and down. I went. My RDLs looked horrible, my range of motion was so limiting that I’m sure my hammy’s aren’t going to feel a thing tomorrow. But I killed some leg presses and squats. Did my cardio. Owned my morning.
The decision to work out over everything else, is a simple one to me – because I left the gym feeling great/empowered/strong/beautiful. I am terrified that without it, I would succumb to letting the pain/the sick/the bad own me.
The people who do not understand that 5 to 6 days a week I spend 2 hours at a gym; and that I will not deviate from this plan – are my negative energy.