gym apathy....

[thoreau]

i've been trying to think of ways to get excited about the gym - I've been experience gym apathy for the last week or so. I go - but begrudgingly - and don't push myself. I friggin' HATE going to the gym by myself. I know that part of it is that I powerfully romanticized working out with Rick so much - that its one of the last remnants of missing him in my life and its one of the last pieces of the "Rickisode." But how do I reclaim the excitement for going to the gym? I just hate being a iPod wearing zombie wandering from machine to machine. I've had to work out partners do well for about a week or so - then both of them found other things to be doing. I think part of it is that I like being at the gym by 545am or so. Thats early. But it's packed by 615am. so - I'm not the only morning gym guy in the world. so - what do to do? thoughts would be appreciated.

Comments

[dendren.livejournal.com]

you've only been experiencing gym apathy for a week or so??? Jenkies... I've been struggling to keep up for 4 - 5 days a week for months now :P

and HEY!!! I'm an ipodzombie there... is there any other way to be?

:)

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

i love that someone else uses velmaspeak! :)

reason to love you #2932

:)

and dr_scott says you are a guy magnet at the gym? how so? (wink)

[dendren.livejournal.com]

LOL LOL LOL LOL... a guy magnet at the gym? Not that I know of... He's clearly magnifying my only gym story where one guy picked me up there about 9 months ago then after we'd done the do told me that he was engaged to be married. It really bugged me actually, don't like the thought of helping someone cheat, especially a closeted straight identified man who has sex with men :P He tried hitting on me a week ago and I told him no thanks... siiiiigh, he was so sexy there with that boner in the shower. Deliver me not into temptation with thy beautiful hard cock. Just gimme a plain ol garden variety homosexual thank you very much.

Otherwise... no, I think I've only even talked to a total of maybe 4 guys in the 2 years I've been at the gym. Not that I'd mind magnet-tating some of the hotties there :)

[that-dang-otter.livejournal.com]

Well, if it's any inspiration, consider that SOME of us would LOVE to work out and get all muscular again, but since I fucked up my shoulder that's no longer an option.

Use it while you've got it!

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

oh I am - I love my new "me" body as a result of going to the gym hard for a year now - and it can only get better. But I just despise doing it by myself. (sigh)

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

Get to the gym.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

oh I do - I go to the gym faithfully five days a week - sometimes six. I'm just not excited about it.

[dr-scott.livejournal.com]

Just take a hint from dendren, he meets all these guys there! I walk around giving off "stay away" vibes, but it can be a great place to casually meet nice guys...

[dendren.livejournal.com]

one guy... One! Guy!!! that was all. meet all the guys at the gym sheesh

heheheheehehehehehehe

[dr-scott.livejournal.com]

So that's your story, eh? ;-)

[dendren.livejournal.com]

trust... I *so* wish there were more. In addition to the physical exhaustion of the gym, the sheer mental sexual frustration looking at all those hot guys with dangling parts in basketball shorts is wearing on me too.

But... I don't want my gym to become a sexcapade place in any case, I'd *never* get a real workout done if that were the case :P

[major7.livejournal.com]

tell it to the tourists
:hehe:

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

you show up at my gym - and I'd cause a SCENE!

[hereticsoul.livejournal.com]

See...another reason I wish you and I lived closer together. I would very much dig a steady workout partner, especially now that I'm on the verge of shifting my workouts...at least the start of my strength training...to early mornings. It's my favorite time to work out. Wade's just too indifferent to working out and he doesn't really want to be around anybody, much less me, when he does gather the resolve to do it.

Me, I'm faithful and disciplined about it. And it's always better to have someone to help spot and motivate you. Grrrrr...I'd drag your ass to the gym if I were closeby :)

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

everyone I mention to in my little circle of friends either laughs at the idea of 545am - or goes to another gym - and changing gyms again isn't something I'd want to do. I have a full year of membership left at Golds - and they have great facilities.

[hereticsoul.livejournal.com]

In my Microserf days when they paid for a gym membership at a killer facility close to campus, I was often walking through the front door at 5:00 am and strolling out just in time to get to work. If I wait too long, especially after I get home from work, I can (and will) find every reason in the world to not go out again. Nope. Mornings are the best time for me.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

i'm just being a whiny bitch is all. LOL! I know the gym is where I belong - I just need to MAKE it work for me.

[bukephalus.livejournal.com]

Seems like the best place to find an early-morning work out partner would be at the gym in the, uh, early morning. You make friends with whoever is there when you are. After a while you figure out who is regular and reliable, and you hit them up.

I switched to morning workouts after my breakup to avoid the ex in question. Now, four months later, I know almost everyone who works out there by name, and it's like we're one big family. The only exceptions are the iPod zombies who obviously don't want to interact with others.

And I've only had sex with one of my gym pals. No, two. Well, three. Okay, four. But I mean only one that I met at the gym at that hour. (The others were from previous contexts.)

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

i'm also the furry guy with a positive body fat percentage - unlike yourself. (giggle)

(wink)

yeah - I should just come out of my shell and be more social I guess. I find muscley guys very intimidating even though I'm becoming one.

[joebehrsandiego.livejournal.com]

You're so cute when you're coy ... ;-)

But seriously, I'm glad you're not.

[smashbear.livejournal.com]

I've had gym apathy for the last 3 months. It sure is hard to find the motivation to go again.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I get to the gym - but it's like 'doing time' - and I get back home. (le - sigh) See all I'd need is to hear those french accents around me at a gym - there - and not only would I be at the gym but I'd be in a constant state of arousal. My first crush was on a french canadian man, Etienne Thibideau - and he could say "could you take out the garbage" and I'd get hard. woof!

[smashbear.livejournal.com]

:)

Funny that he was called Etienne too, it's not that common of a name around here.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

Are you named Etienne? or?

[smashbear.livejournal.com]

Yup!

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I now request a sound file of you saying "Take out the garbage!"

ROTFL!

[smashbear.livejournal.com]

LOL

[krypto38801.livejournal.com]

Well, be glad you HAVE a gym membership. Hell, we don't have a Gold's gym, and the other gyms here are Anytime Fitness, ruled by the soccer moms, and some other gym, ruled by the muscle gods who look upon Those Who Must Not Be Steroid Junkies (like me) with disdain and indifference.

They're fun to look at, tho. For fear of a bashing, I don't envision going there. Maybe if I get a good enough income tax refund, I'll go. But then, I'll be in the same rut as you are in. Le Sigh....

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

actually getting on the eliptical is easy for me - because there is usually a sweaty muscleyfurry scrumptious Golds member on the treadmill in front of me - which is like putting a carrot before a horse.... so getting the cardio portion done is easy. it's the working with the machines - and working on my crunches and abs. Like I'd do it any happier - when I'm with someone? I'll just have smeone to share the pain with. (giggle)

[dendren.livejournal.com]

I've pretty much stopped the weight machines altogether in my apathy and am only doing cardio. That was my main objective when I started all this anyway, heart healthy and all that.

But... even in my best days of doing the full weights and cardio work out I was never able to make myself to my abs and crunches. Seems the only time I get an ab work out is when someone is straddling my chest and I'm doing my sit ups to go down on him. Huh... looky at that TMI again.

[scream4noreason.livejournal.com]

It just boils down to two things:

(1)How badly do you want it?

If you really want to be in shape,you'll keep going.Think about how much that emans to you,if it doesnt mean all that much,then stop going as often.If its a chore,do something else.

(2)Do you go cos you think you SHOULD?

Gay men are SUPPOSED to go to gym,right?We have to be good at everything,right?Wrong.I know alot of gay men who say "I SHOULD join the gym" only because its peer pressure that we have to look perfect all the time and that its a socially acceptable thing to do,or that if you dont,youre a loser.If you think you are there just because you feel you SHOULD,then you would get better exercise just running with your dog.

Thirdly,I love going to the gym alone and having some great,inspirational music on my ipod,something different each time.I go to get away from ppl and the stresses of the day.If I do talk to anyone there,great,but Im there to exercise my body not my jaw.

If you cant enjoy it alone,again,think about whether its something you realy ought to be spending so much time doing.

Ive not been for a few months,because,after going every second day for three years,I wanted a break,and to spend my tiem diffferently,expeiencing the joy of coming home from work......and staying there!I know that I will go back soon as the weather warms up,but I dont berate myself for not going.I do it for me,on my terms.

This is the second time Ive had to give you a stern talking to, young lady,and be reminded,youre never too big for a smack.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I really love how I've transformed my body....

case in point:

Christmas 2005


November 2007


and I don't want to return to "big bear bob" - I'm very happy with 175pd Bob. So my gym apathy isn't about not knowing it's good for me - or it's the best way to maintain my figure. It's not about peer pressure at all - it's about making sure I don't lose track of the gift I gave myself in the last year and a half.

I need to mix it up and perhaps give myself two workweek days off - and go on Saturday and Sunday for a workout during the day.

I'm just having to rethink the gym - because I can't find a regular gym partner. I go early early - so I can come home and simply CRASH.

and as for a smack? I like them now and then.

[budmassey.livejournal.com]

Well, in my experience, it's nice to have an occasional workout buddy, but the gym ultimately has to be something that, for the most part, you do for yourself by yourself. Wait, maybe we could make a clothing line out of that. FYBY. Work out clothing for the health conscious metrosexual gay man. LOL!

[kbearblog.livejournal.com]

Advertise in a local rag for a gym buddy that likes early hours or just Zen out and force yourself to workout alone. The ole' bod and mind needs its exercise, a healthy Robert is important!

Do it!

[kroyd.livejournal.com]

Just DO IT!!! But do it. What ever it takes. Or try outdoor activities to switch it up. The evening crowd is a more leisurely gym crowd in my experience. There's a lot more chatting in the evening.
I'd write a bunch more but I've got a book to finish. ;)

Re: Do it!

[bootedintexas.livejournal.com]

book to finish. inquiring houstonians want to know more.

Re: Do it!

[kroyd.livejournal.com]

Yes THAT book your brother wrote... :) "HOUSE OF WOLVES" is a really nice read. I recommend it to everyone.

Re: Do it!

[bootedintexas.livejournal.com]

ah. (i have three books as well...)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Is working out in the evening after work, when it possible to be more social and there are more potential/available workout partners than early morn, a possibility? Other than that, I have nothing. I HATE going to the gym:)

Good Luck!

[gayhawk.livejournal.com]

at least you're going!
Pat yourself on the back for that much.

More...

[kroyd.livejournal.com]

Long as we're still on the subject. I would like to confess that I've had a gym membership at the same spa since 1987 and while I went religously for many years, I've NOT BEEN TO THE GYM BUT ABOUT TWICE IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. I used to think I'd never change my routine. I was healthy and buff. Why would anyone change? Well graduate school happened, then studying for my state licensing exam, then having a couple babies, buying a house and remodeling the house happened. I've not been regular about my gym workouts in over 7 years. But.... Hey I was busy. Right? Well I did gain more weight, and ...... Well the upsot is that I've now started doing a lot more outdoor activities. I ride bike obviously, and I LOVE it. I occasionally go jogging, or rollerblading, and I take every opportunity to use the stairs (even 10 floors up and/or down), or walk to lunch while at work. So MY Suggestion to SWITCH IT UP is what I wanted to say. Now that I finished that great book, "House of Wolves", I had time to comment at length....as I usually tend to do. So THERE!!! LOL!!!

[cuboz.livejournal.com]

I have been to gyms off and on over the last 15 years or so. But would always give up after afew months, because I was incredibly impatient and wanted to see results (ie. Become an instant musclebear!) almost immedately...

I think I'll just try and walk more often. Would like bigger arms though. Coz I like to hug.

xxx