April 03, 2006
Fitness Hiking: Finding Fitness Bliss
 Last week Gina posted her views on trying to find the joy in physical activity - the way we did when we were kids. I loved her post and agree with her wholeheartedly. But I must admit I find it hard sometimes - especially in an environment like my local gym.
Everyday I walk up to the entrance to my gym and pass a red faced compatriot on their way out and think, ‘you lucky bugger…you’re done!’ Now, I ask myself, is that any way to look at my new physical fitness routine? Not a lot of joy there…
When I enter my gym, I’m usually greeted with expressions that are not unlike those of inmates working on a chain gang. A crowded room full of sweaty grimaces, huffing and puffing their way to the end of their workout. I know there are plenty of people who love going to the gym. I just don’t happen to be one of them. Unfortunately, due to an injury, I’m going to be there for a while. So, I look at it this way, the gym is a great place to get fitter IN so you can eventually get OUT. Because I'd rather be hiking up a beautiful Vermont mountainside, or playing a game of tennis with my friends, than be cooped up with 50 sweaty people I don’t even know.
Bottom line, participating in physical activity I enjoy allows
me to work out in the name of pleasure and fulfillment. I
don’t want to involve myself in exercise for exercise sake
anymore. I don’t think that’s where it’s at. But I do appreciate
that the fitter I get, the more things I can do that I actually
love doing. And that's worth hitting the gym for.
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