The Kindness of Strangers........

Every now and then it's nice to be reminded that there are nice people out there. And every now and then it's nice when that reminder comes unexpectedly, like it did for me this Labor Day Holiday. Here's the set up: I'm trying to be good, live healthier (no more sex with guys on subways-I kid-I kid) you know eat better, exercise etc. Well for the past two summers for my weekend exercise I walk around a local pond, Horn Pond. It's nice, busy but not too crazy busy, and it's about 2.25 miles around if you go some of the back routes. Now I've gone from a slow walk, to a brisk walk to a slow jog (I think it's a slow jog!) and I'm trying to add distance as well. It hasn't been fun, and honestly, I don't enjoy it I just do it cause I have to. I have a good friend who fell into running and she loves it. Again, SO NOT ME. So there I was, Monday, exercising cause I should, begging for it to end cause it was muggy and felt like soup outside. I thought I'd walk round twice, but it was so freakin' hot, I started to run just to get it over with. Monday, was fairly busy so I'd gone by a few walkers, have gone by some joggers, and had been blown pass by some runners. About 3/4 way through I'm sweating my arse off, my sunglasses are glued to my eyeballs and I'm telling myself "it's almost over, god when is it going to end!" when to my left a female jogger starts to pass by in the opposite direction I'm going. We catch each others eye, I do the smile (grimace more like it at that point), and she smiles back and says, "Keep going!" all cheery but with a great deal of sympathy kinda sorta like "God, can't believe we're out here, might as well finish what we started." Well thank you miss lady jogger/runner. You made my day and put a real smile on my face. It was the small bit of encouragement that I needed, and I also felt a bit of a connection to someone too. Didn't expect it, didn't ask for it, but it was so nice to receive. It did get me through my jog, and though I didn't wake up today with a greater appreciation for running, jogging or for exercise in general (I'm not even going to begin to talk about the kettle ball routine I did this morning!) I guess I was reminded in a way that my task (to paraphrase the great Bill Belichick) "is what it is". There's no easy way out of exercising, and I may never get faster, better, or learn to enjoy it more, but sometimes you just gotta do it. And every now and then, getting a friendly push from someone can help you make it just a wee bit easier.....So while poor Blanche Dubois tried to depend on the kindness of strangers and got screwed, my experience with my stranger truly was kind. So,thank you!

You Ah a Big Fat LiAH...............................

Okay, I have to say it. Whoever said that going to they gym would invigorate you is a big fat LIAH......... I just came back from a 45 personal training session otherwise known as self-inflicted torture with a 20 year old with a 18 inch waist. She's the sweetest thing possible but considering that if I sneezed directly on her she'd probably be blown through the window like Leslie Neilsen was blown through the bridge when the wave hit the Poseidon, I continue to ask myself what the hell am I doing. I know I know, this is what one is suppose to do to live a healthy lifestyle. Yes, yes, I know I should feel better that I can walk longer, faster, without sweating like Don Johnson did in the TV mini series "The Long Hot Summer"...but honestly I just don't. You can wrap it with pretty paper, and tie a nice bow on the whole conversation but when it comes down to it, I hate the fact that I have to workout. I hate that I seem to be genetically blessed with no metabolism whatsoever. My sister and I joke that we'd be kicked off "Survivor" because other players would think that we were hoarding food as they all began losing weight while we somehow miraculously gained weight. We're also convinced that we would be the only ones to gain weight as well climbing Mt. Everest.

So what's the conclusion to my whining? Well, I'm not going to stop going to the gym because I've yet to see an attractive mumu, and that's where I'd be headed if I stopped going. I will continue to rage against my genetic make up that has given me Jason Varitek thighs, giving me the ability (most likely but I never tried) to climb mountains with goats for days. I will continue to quietly curse any and everyone I think is thin through no effort of their own. And I will smile sweetly at all ( but mentally be bashing heads) of those who wax poetic about the beauty and wonder of excercise. I just don't buy it. That said, in the immortal words of my zen Master Bill Belichick "it is what it is", which is why I just signed up for my next 7:45 training session.