Good Things Come to Those Who Weight

As noted in a previous post, I began going back to the gym near the end of February. At the time, I was joined by a friend who had occasionally worked out with me in the past. We pumped iron together a few times over the ensuing two weeks. Then he got busy with other projects and eventually stopped going to the gym altogether. I haven't seen him at the gym for over a month.

I was the same way in my 20s. Working out was a chore, not a priority. Any interruption to my normal routine could mean an absence from the gym for months.

Now, decades later, I cannot relate to this mindset at all. It began to change when I first moved to Seattle 18 years ago. I pushed myself to make working out a regular part of my life. About a year ago, I began increasing the frequency of gym visits to five days a week (plus cardio at home on weekends). Now I can't imagine missing a day without a very good reason (like uh, cancer, which admittedly kept me out of the gym for four months). Rather than setting aside the workout when things get busy, I rearrange the remainder of my life to make sure I don't miss a workout.

Older and often out-of-shape men online sometimes write me and ask how I am able to keep in shape despite the advancing years. I guess this post is my answer. Over time, I have been bitten by the exercise bug. No, that's not right — I have completely digested and absorbed the bug!

Although it can be time consuming, this approach to exercise works for me. It gets me out of the house and, in this post-chemo period, has helped restore in great measure something I lost in the months of sickness — my self esteem. Whether that's the best basis for self-confidence or not, I don't know. And right now I don't care. I just like being able to look in the mirror after a good workout and feeling like the old me is finally back.