The Real Thing
While working out at the gym some times I catch myself and think, "when you break this down, I am paying money to be allowed into a building to do work (by the scientific definition) that really doesn’t accomplish anything." It is kind of like simulated moving, picking things up and putting them down, the only difference being that you are putting things down exactly where you picked them up. Can you imagine what people from hundreds or thousands of years ago would think of this?!?
I thought about that a lot over the weekend, because my family and I decided that we could move ourselves into our new house. No movers, just us. I have no idea what made us think that we could do that. Perhaps it was the fact that we were only moving 2 miles away that gave us the confidence to try to do it all ourselves. Regardless, we did it. Saturday and Sunday were a blur of lifting heavy things, walking with them, and putting them down. My 17-year-old son and I did all of the lifting. And there was one point at which he had kind of a melt down, and I was doing the heavy lifting by myself. It was the real deal. And this was one workout that I was going to finish. There was no room for going lighter, and no option for knocking off early. If it was in out house, I lifted it.
So I didn’t hit the gym Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, but I did realize why I go to the gym, why I pick up heavy weights and put them down again, and run on a high-tech hamster wheel. Strength and endurance are so valuable. One never knows then they will be called into action for "the real thing," but it is good to know that they are there when I need them. Just having the ability to do the work that I did over the weekend is such a gift, so rather than cursing the load that I was carrying, I found myself thanking God for the ability to carry it.
TH
June 1, 2009 at 7:12 am
LOL- thanks for an additional sense of purpose today!
I am sure you are happy that ordeal is behind you!
June 1, 2009 at 7:16 am
Love the attitude. It’s great to be a weekend warrior without suffering like most folks. I enjoyed a somewhat similar experience this weekend. We went camping, and it was interesting to see other dads (YOUNGER than me) huffing & puffing from setting up tents & various other activities. While enjoyed myself & was not out of breath, knowing that I would not be suffering major weekend warrior soreness today. Keep charging amigo.
June 1, 2009 at 8:44 am
ONE MORE THING ON MOVING - There is nothing more pointless-feeling that moving your weights. I mean you purchased the weights because of the fact that they are heavy. In fact, their only purpose is to be heavy. So when you put that in the context of moving, it just really seems ridiculous. You end up muttering under your breath about how heavy they are.. and of course they are! That’s why you bought them!
June 1, 2009 at 11:02 am
Point taken. That kid get past his melt down? You haul him to the gym with you? Move on, Steve!~
October 29, 2009 at 12:53 am
This is one of the best stories I have ever read, I will use this in my class if thats ok with you im also going to link this blog from my site so more people see your great writing.
Rita