harder, better, faster, stronger.
I stood in the weight room, taking a rest after a rep of some serious iron-pumping – most likely some 10-pounders (phew!) – and looked around. It was just crossing the time barrier from the rush hour to the dinner hour on a weekday evening and the gym was fairly packed with people trying to sweat off their days. They could have been athletes, businessmen, children, stay-at-home moms, writers, caregivers, doctors, babysitters, but who would have know the difference. No matter what they were a few hours ago, they’re stripped down from suits to sweats (perhaps home sweats to gym sweats) and they’re all here for one purpose: to, in some way, improve themselves.
This was the moment I knew that this gym membership would be more than the one night discouragement that all the others have been. This is no doomed-to-fail New Years resolution. It was a cool realization to look around and know that all of these people coming from whatever lifestyle they lead are in a building reserved strictly for physical self-improvement, whether or not that comes with emotional and mental stabilization, as well. We want to be stronger, faster, more flexible, more in-tune with our bodies. We want to be better. I want to be better.
I think I’m finally addicted (in a healthy way, of course). I get pretty pumped when I know it’s a gym day and I’m growing rather fond of those painful “I didn’t know scratching my nose used that muscle”-mornings that validate the hard work I put in the night before.
Of course, as the world loves reminding me, more activity means way more calories. I’ve been working hard to make sure I eat more during the day, especially in protein and carbs. However, I’ve never really been so active that I had to readjust my diet before, so I’m still feeling it out. When do I eat in relation to a workout? What do I need to do in order to continue gaining weight while burning so many calories? What is the best thing to eat after a run (I tend to gravitate towards fish, if it’s dinner time)?
I’m thinking about going back to my nutritionist to talk about a plan that works with my new routine. If anyone else has been through heading back to the gym for a new purpose (as opposed to unhealthy weight-loss) and has any tips on either eating or working out/running in general, I’d love to hear them!
