Gym Class Hero.

Merely moments ago I was routinely hitting the gym for a moderately challenging cardio workout. Thanks for sharing, Emmy. Do you want a trophy?

Well, yes I do want one of those. However, that is not the point of this story, which actually does contain one.

An undertaking that I habitually indulge in while engulfed in my run/elliptical/stair-master/bike routine is to compete with the person on the machine that is directly to my right. That is, every so often I will subtly glance at their machine's info board and compare statuses- total miles ran, calories burned, level, time, etc.

I do not do this purposely, and I do not have an explanation as to why the person to my right is always my opponent as opposed to the one on the left. I do, however, always strive to make it a fair race (though unknowing on their part) by taking into consideration which one of us began their workout first coupled with a comparison of the challenger's weight, gender, and age.

While I repeatedly observe this personal habit and while it irks me to no end, I do nothing to put a stop to the practice because I find that I always work that much harder than I do if riding solo.

I want to "win" because it makes me feel good.

Today, I knew that I had my work cut out for me as my oblivious competition and I arrived at our cardio machines at the exact same time. Oh, a challenge eh? (<- I'm not really Canadian so I don't know why I added that.)

This girl meant business. Equipped with two sweatbands (for her wrist and forehead), a pair of sweatpants, a wife beater, and an attachable mp3 player- I'd be blatantly lying if I said that I wasn't a little intimidated...or a lot intimidated. Clearly this girl was either a marine in training or perhaps even a professional boxer in her spare time. Be it as it may, she embodied perfectly the persona of one who actually works out for fun. You know, enjoys it.
For a brief moment I even thought that perhaps she plays the same game that I play since the two of us were stretching at the same time, approached the machine at the same time, and then flipped on our miniature TVs at the same time.

Oh, it's going down.

It didn't take long for me to realize, however, that I had made a horrible mistake in my assumption and that the inferred race was all in my head and my head alone.

To put it simply, I have never seen a person text so much while elliptical-izing! Actually, I've never seen a person text during a workout, period. Text once and it is understood. Text twice and it is forgiven. Text three times and why are you here?! Clearly trumping me and my workout was not on her list of priorities. Every few minutes as I glanced at her machine's info board I would become very disappointed as the words "Pedal faster" flashed mockingly on the screen. She was so distracted by her phone that she could hardly handle the two at the same time.

She obviously can work out as hard or as easy she desires, and I understand that. It was just a bit inconsiderate of her to get on the machine next to me, get my hopes up, and then completely fail at delivering. By the end of my workout I had burned off twice the amount of calories as she. 

Yes, I felt awesome about myself, but it is the principle of the matter that is important! When you begin a workout on a cardio machine that is located directly to my right, you better be ready to work it!

Eureka!

"I just don't have time to work out- what with work and school and finals...I'll start exercising routinely once school is over..."

"Well, I'm working practically everyday now...when do I have time to go to the gym?"

But Emmy, you don't need a gym- just run outside.
"Run outside?!? Are you mad? It's friggin hot/cold!"

"Well, it's already 2 p.m. now, and I know that I could never work out in the middle of the day because as a girl, I would then have to shower and do my hair and get ready...it would take hours!"

"Once I move back to Nashville I will put money away toward a personal trainer. I know I will work out if I do that. Logically, going to the gym would then feel more like an appointment or going to class...and I never skip class [true story]."

"Oh, but I'm unemployed at the moment. I'll get a trainer as soon as I get a job..."
_________
Oh, for the love of pete! I am the QUEEN of excuses!

Lately, as can be inferred by the above quotes (true thoughts mind you, straight out of my very own noggin), I have been internally struggling with my personal health and fitness routines. I've never been one to voice it aloud to anyone because I find it a tad bit embarrassing. The fact of the matter, however, is that I have been feeling more weak and tired than normal, and I have come to a conclusion that it may be attributed to an imbalanced diet (easily weakened by my former collegiate-style living) and lack of proper, consistent exercise.

Before I go any further with these ramblings, however, I want to make sure that we are all on the same page as posts like this can tend to read with intentions far separated from the truth. To make it perfectly clear for anyone who reads this, I do NOT have any false body images or negative misconceptions about myself. I DO, however, have the biggest sweet tooth out of anybody I know.
Chocolate. is. my. nemesis.

I realize that we all must go through this sort of phase every now and again. Nevertheless, if one could admittedly claim that body consciousness isn't something that graces his or her mind on a fairly frequent basis then he or she is either A.) lying or B.) a robot.

I am proud to say though, that yesterday I took the first step in adjusting to a healthier lifestyle. My dad bought an elliptical machine not too long ago, and I trekked over to his house for a 20 minute run- nothing major, of course, but it was all I needed to feel better about myself. I repeated the action this morning.
In addition, doing so has led me to dieting better and eating more fruits and greens and less processed foods. I find that by performing my cardio exercises earlier in the day, I do not want to "undo" my accomplishment with the mouthwatering temptations of chocolate and sweets.

I really hope that I can keep up this very simple routine, and I feel that publicly publishing it on the internet will certainly help me and my commitment issues with exercise.
And you guys need to help me too- well, with emotional support that is, since our relationship cannot extend much further than that.
Deal?

Oh, and P.S., I'm still looking into the personal trainer thing once I find a job- that actually was a real statement.