Capirgo’s Body/Mind/SpiritBlog

Maybe I’m just not in a people mood lately. My last few workouts have been plagued by annoyances.

First there is the rookie that thows the bumbbells after pressess like he’s Ron Coleman. The difference is Ron Coleman has perfect form and is lifting more than 55 pounds.

Then there is the group of talkers (aka yappers). These folks move in herds and my prayers go out for you if they move close to an area near you.

The spectators are another group that fuel my rage. It seems like these people spend more time looking at the ladies, tv, or other dudes (gross) than they do working out. What’s up with that???

Next is the machine lurcher. Tonight I was working my abs, and I got up for a second to catch my breath. The next thing I knew some guy jumped in, did one set with bad form and left the gym. Geez, where do these people come from. It seemed like his only purpose was to eff with my focus.

Lastly there is the flat out annoying. These are the people that pack so much weight on any given exercise that they lose control and bang the weights down. It seems that some people think the louder you are, the harder you’re working. Or maybe it just makes them feel manly. I don’t know what they think, but I think they’re annoying!

Ahh the only thing better than pumping iron to the sounds of Michael W. Smith’s Friends song is pumping iron to the Christmas Shoes song! I’M USING SARCASM TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE!!! However, the gym I go to plays this type of music over the entire building. Talk about a buzz kill. I don’t think any amount of N.O. Explode can make up for the damage done to ones "pump" these songs cause.

Don’t get me wrong. The message of these songs is not my complaint, and in the right setting I actually like these songs. But when I’m under weight that could crush my face the last thing I want is a sappy song effin with my focus.

Thank goodness for iPods. I use mine everytime I’m at the gym. Some times, though, I take it off so it doesn’t get in my way. It’s those moments that give me something to blog about.

My Gym’s Music

My iPod’s Music

Just about everything in life has different levels or phases. With my bodybuilding/fitness there is no exception to this. In the beginning of my fitness journey I was happy to walk around the block. Then came the treadmill with its LEDs that showed my speed, calories burned, time and distance. Next was my humble beginnings with weights. Now I’m on a planned diet and organized weight lifting and cardio routine. Now days if I miss a scheduled training session, I feel like I’ve missed a part of my life.

In the beginning fitness was something that I knew I should be doing. As I started spending time and money on it, it transformed into a desired hobby. Lately, however, my fitness/bodybuilding has metamorphized into a lifestyle. It is who I am. 

I first realized this when I noticed that I no longer "feel" the motivation to go workout, yet I still end up at the gym (even when my gym is closed and I have to drive across town (in Houston traffic) to find one that is open).

I have learned that the hardest weight to lift is my unmotivated ass. But with practice, even it becomes easier.

Good Bye Hobby - Hello Lifestyle

Yesterday was the last game of my daughter’s soccer season. All week I was saving my cheat meal for the after party at CiCi’s Pizza and the later birthday party at Chuck E Cheese’s. Well, when we showed up to both places, I wasn’t hungry, so I didn’t eat my cheat meal. Skipping the cheat meal got me to thinking…

Altogether I’m taking in about 3800 calories a day. Being a vegetarian at this level of calories means I’m eating a lot all freakin day! I definitely am not depraved of good and tasty food so why do I "need" a cheat meal? My conclusion is I DON’T NEED IT.

I’m going to see how long I can go without having a cheat meal. I’ve given up fast food, alcohol and drugs. Now I want to push myself to see if I can give up my cheat meal. It shouldn’t be too hard considering I usually feel like crap after I eat it anyway.

Yesterday I was talking with a co-worker, and I slipped up by telling him I keep a daily record of the calories I eat. To me it is VERY obvious this guy does not work out, so I was not offended by his negative commets about my lifestyle. Besides, he’s one of my fraternal brothers, so I took his comments as jest. However, an eavesdropper jumped in and started going on about how weird I am for doing this. She then went on to tell me about her degree in Psychology, and her diagnosis for me. To add to it she started probing me about my hobbies. For some reason this reallygot under my skin. So I snapped back, "what’s it to ya?"

I’m not sure why I allowed this to get to me. Now I see that some folks just don’t get it. Neither of the two people making comments yesterday are in the "fitness culture" so there ignorance should not surprise. Maybe I was offended because I have made diet and exercise a part of who I am.

Well, I’m over it now, but I have learned a lesson here.

Have you ever wondered what other people in the gym are listening to. I see some people getting into their music, but I never know what they are working out to. Well, I thought I’d ask. One guy said metal, and another dude was listening to love songs.

Anyway, I’m getting pretty burned out on most of the songs I like working out to. What’s in your MP3 player? What songs do you like working out with?