I Am Lisa, I Will Never Be Pam

I did it. I went back to the gym again this morning. It has been a long time since I was there. What got me off track? Well, I went to Vegas for a business trip in September (!) and never went back. Actually, I did go back once in January and then I lost my Gold's Gym card to get in, didn't want to to pay $10.00 for a new one and hadn't been back until last week. Hey, it doesn't take much for me. Even after being in the military for 10 years and having to maintain a certain level of fitness, or maybe because of it, I have a love/hate relationship with exercise.

What got me going this week? Well, my darling daughter and I were working on a scavenger hunt on our cruise a few weeks ago. One of the questions was, "how many treadmills are in the fitness center" so off we went so she could count them. As we were leaving, she poked me and ran away laughing as she shouted that I should exercise because my bottom was too soft. Ah, from the mouths of babes . . . .

Anyway, I went this morning. I scanned the gym as I ran a bit on the treadmill and noticed the regulars. They are the ones that are there every day, rain or shine. The committed, dedicated and maybe just a little bit obsessive, ones. The ones who are in way better shape than I am. Or are they? I know them and I know that they are there without fail, yet some were looking just a little bit bigger than I remember and not many of them were even close to the shape that Pam (name changed to protect the innocent) is in. Pam is unbelievable and everyone must strive to be like her, why wouldn't they? She is my idol. As I trodded on the treadmill, I wondered why they keep coming. They don't seem to be any closer to being Pam than I was and they work at it 5 days per week - or do they? When they get up at to arrive at the gym at 5:00 a.m. is that what they are thinking . . .gotta work to get one step closer to Pam? I am beginning to think not. Why? Because if that was their goal or their motivation, they were falling way short, as am I, and they would likely throw in the towel, as do I.

So, what is it that motivates people to get up and work out every day? What ever it is, I want some of it too.