It may come as a surprise for many of you, but I'm not as tough and manly as I appear. I know it's hard to believe, but trust me. This semester, I started working out with a couple of guys much younger than me. We've been lifting weights 3-4 days a week. Since it has been nearly 8 years since the last time I lifted weights regularly, it would be an understatement to say it has been hard. One of these guys pushes himself so hard that he works out most exercises to the point of failure. I won't begin a set if I'm not absolutely sure I can finish all 10 reps. Anyway, they always want to do the hard exercises. I look around for the exercises that are easier for me, they always suggest lat pulls, squats, shoulder press, pull-ups and dips. Each time they do, I find myself saying on the inside, "Do we have to?" But there's too much testosterone floating around to say it out loud. I've learned with these guys to submit to what they're doing, knowing it will make me stronger than what I would do if I got to choose the exercise. I guess there's a lesson in there for me, probably a larger life lesson: Let those around me push me toward greater sacrifice in order to accomplish a greater goal. Or - Don't let me be your personal trainer.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Lessons in Submission from Working Out . . .
It may come as a surprise for many of you, but I'm not as tough and manly as I appear. I know it's hard to believe, but trust me. This semester, I started working out with a couple of guys much younger than me. We've been lifting weights 3-4 days a week. Since it has been nearly 8 years since the last time I lifted weights regularly, it would be an understatement to say it has been hard. One of these guys pushes himself so hard that he works out most exercises to the point of failure. I won't begin a set if I'm not absolutely sure I can finish all 10 reps. Anyway, they always want to do the hard exercises. I look around for the exercises that are easier for me, they always suggest lat pulls, squats, shoulder press, pull-ups and dips. Each time they do, I find myself saying on the inside, "Do we have to?" But there's too much testosterone floating around to say it out loud. I've learned with these guys to submit to what they're doing, knowing it will make me stronger than what I would do if I got to choose the exercise. I guess there's a lesson in there for me, probably a larger life lesson: Let those around me push me toward greater sacrifice in order to accomplish a greater goal. Or - Don't let me be your personal trainer.
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2 comments:
Actually, you sound like just the guy for me. I'm more of the "why not just do 1 set each and then bail out for some coffee...." ilk.
Muscle man up there is pretty gross...that has to be photoshopped, right?
Can you make me look like the guy in the pic Neil? We can go to workout, do the easiest things only and then you can take a pic of me all "lubed" up and enhance it just like the whoever published this pic did. Then we can advertise for your new personal trainer website and you can sell people the "ultimate program to look like this..." and make millions and never actually go to the gym ever again. Ya know??? (yes I watched that video as well).
I'll split the $ with you. Have your people get in touch with my people and we'll work out like..a deal.
Let's do lunch.
Dave
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