About a year ago, I was talking to a male friend. We were just chit chatting, waiting for other people to finish or show up, I don’t remember exactly. Anyway, we started talking about working out. He has been known to be somewhat of a gym rat if the mood arises. As I’ve said before, I know that I need to work out to look the way I want but I don’t love it. And because of that lack of love, my gym kicks go in waves. At that time, I was on a new one, only a few weeks old. After talking for a little while about what we do and don’t do, blah blah blah, he threw me a curve ball. As calmy as ever, he looked me up and down and said, “You’re working out. You must be having sex.”
Now, sex is natural and beautiful and all that loveliness but it’s still something I consider to be private, for me and everyone else. I had no idea how to react. At that time, I wasn’t even talking to, hoping to flirt, or anything else with anyone, let alone concerned about anyone seeing any part of my body not already visible in work clothes. The comment just blew my mind. Is this why men or everyone thinks everyone else works out? Is there anything wrong if that is the reason? What are your real reasons for working out?
I’ve already admitted that my main reason is vanity, not naked vanity, just the normal kind. I want to be a size 8 (occasionally a 6 or 10 depending on the cut). I think this size looks good on me. I’m still relatively young and have the available time and resources to exercise. I really have no excuses not to. I’ve never been the type to really complain about my current size/body but sometimes those glances in front of the full length mirror cause an unpleasant double-take. What’s a girl to do? Complain or sweat? I complain enough about other things. I’ve decided to spare the people around me from another unnecessary topic.
Possible Reasons for Quality Time on the Elliptical Machine:
1.) Health: Okay. That’s an easy one. Who doesn’t want to be healthier? The problem is that most of us aren’t willing to sacrifice to be healthy. We’re just waiting for the big pharmacy companies to come up with a pill, or better yet a one time shot.
2.) Vanity: Yes, I’ll claim that one. We all want to look better than we currently do, even the people who already look amazing. But not everyone’s got Giselle’s genetics or LL Cool J’s personal trainer. For most of us, our appearance is extra, not a part of our job description. Famous people are famous for a reason. We’ve got to stop comparing. I’ll never look like Beyonce. I’m just trying to look as good as I can, regardless of those around me.
3.) Muscles: Yes, this is tied to vanity but there are some people who work out for a particular goal, competing and such. No real comment on this one. But all of those sinewy muscles and veins popping out kind of grosses me out.
4.) LGN Diet “Looking Good Naked”: I’ve got to admit the name is a new one for me but needs no further explanation. Although, it seems that people are fueled by this motivation until the couple gets really comfortable and starts to gain together…
5.) Special Occasions and Summer: Closely tied to the LGN Diet, often times people work out to fit and/or look better in certain outfits for certain occasions; weddings, reunions, bathing suits, vacations, etc. This motivation is generally temporary.
6.) Fun: Heaven knows why but some people actually enjoy exercising. I wasn’t blessed with that gene. But if you’ve got it, rock it, I guess. I was blessed/cursed with the “eat good and sleep well” gene. (Note: Eating good does not necessarily mean healthily, just tastily…)
I didn’t really have a purpose for this post. I just really wanted to write about the new term I learned, the “Looking Good Naked” Diet.
Wondering why everyone else at the gym is working out,
Jo’van
The Truth: According to Jo'van 