What am I training for? Life.

I've noticed throughout my life that a lot of people only workout when they're training for something. A sporting event (a basketball game, a track meet, etc), a big 5k, a marathon, a lifting competition, swimsuit season, a high school reunion, I've heard it all...

I'm not saying that this is a bad thing. Heck, who wouldn't want to show up to their high school reunion looking FANTASTIC and shoving it in everyone's face? Nevertheless, I was up early a couple of days ago, and decided to get my workout in during the morning. So, I laced up my shoes, filled my water bottle and headed to the gym. I walked in, turned on the lights and loved the fact that I was the only person there-I find it refreshing to be the only person in the gym sometimes...it really let's me be myself...I mean, not everyone wants to be around some 23 year old white girl belting out Eminem's "Lose Yourself" or "Cinderella Man" at 6:30 in the morning...and I don't blame them, although...they are missing a fantastic show. But I digress...

So, I walked in, was all alone, stretched, and headed over to the weight machine. I sat down, preparing myself to completely own my leg-extension sets, setting up my ipod, and putting Eminem on, when suddenly, the door opened. 

A giant guy walked through the door, and I'm pretty sure his thigh muscles were bigger than my head...it was impressive. My heart sank a little as I gave him the "whats-up" nod and put my headphones on. He came over to the machine next to me, adjusted his weight and started blowing away sets like they were nothing. Okay, I definitely felt a little intimidated. But hey, I'm all for friendly competition, so I started working on my sets (even though I knew this guy was clearly in phenomenal shape, and since he probably had at least 100lbs on me that I should probably stick to my little leg-extensions and keep to myself...). I got so curious though, he was working HARD, and I mean HAAAARD! Yeah, I love to get my sweat on, and I'm all for kicking butt in the gym, but I just kept growing more and more curious as to what the heck this guy was preparing for! He got up from the weight machine and made his way over to the treadmill, and like a little lost puppy, I followed him, and got on the elliptical right next to his treadmill. He looked at me like I had three heads...but hey, I was curious! 

I took my headphones out and stared at him for a second, having a conversation with myself...and then apparently, he felt awkward, and asked me, "Is there something I can help you with?" Feeling like a complete idiot, I caught myself staring at his monstrous calves just being amazed with the amount of work this guy was putting out, when I finally blurted out, "What the heck are you training for?? Are you getting ready for a marathon or something?" 

He laughed and shook my hand asking me the same question. I told him, "well, I'm a personal trainer, so it's kind of my job...that, and swimsuit season is coming up...and I guess just my health in general", but I asked him the question again. He looked at me and just answered, "life". I continued asking him if he was a fireman, a police officer, any occupation I could think of that would require something like that. No, nothing. He simply was doing it for his life. He didn't have any kind of life-threatening illness, he wasn't fighting obesity, nor had he ever been obese. He simply did it because he wanted to live the fullest life he could, by being in the best shape he could be in. 

We talked for a few more minutes and eventually parted ways. I got back to belting out Eminem, embarrassingly loud, and getting my sweat on, when it finally hit me. He was right, in every way possible. 

Why do we only try to get in shape for big events, reunions, swimsuit season...all that? Shouldn't we be getting in shape for the biggest event ever? LIFE? We should not only want to be in good shape to look good, but to feel good, in all ways. Shouldn't we be taking better care of our life in general? 

I guess it's just something to think about for the week. What's the main reason you want to be in shape? Is it really for that high school reunion? That cute little bikini for the summer? Or is it for your life in general? With that comes commitment though....a word many people are afraid of. One must be committed in order to make this change, and it's a change we should make for the rest of our lives, not just a couple of months or weeks throughout the year. Weight loss and healthy living is a lifestyle. Not a fad.