Inspiration Comes in Many Forms

Gyms can be intimidating places for those who are new to this type of setting. I recall a relative of mine, 100 lbs overweight at the time, who refused to join a gym out of fear. She felt as though she would be judged and laughed at for attempting to work out at her size. Chances are, if she had joined, she might have been pleasantly surprised at the support she found from the staff. Perhaps she would have realized that people weren't judging her at all. In fact, maybe she might have inspired a few of her fellow gym-goers. The reason I mention this is because I am constantly inspired by other members of my gym, and not just those who have developed the most toned, lean bodies. Inspiration can come in all sizes and shapes.

Shortly after the new year began I headed to the gym on a particularly gloomy morning. The sun wasn't shining, the ground was covered with that slushy mess that forms when the weather warms up just a bit after a large amount of snow has accumulated. I would have preferred to sit on my couch with an enormous mug of steaming coffee and watch all dozen or so hours of The Today Show. However, with the holidays just passed I knew I had to get back into the routine that was so easily tweaked in the wrong direction during the month of December. As I headed to the second floor of the gym where the cardio equipment resides, I passed a young man who appeared to be about 18 years old. He was quite heavy already at his tender age, probably 150 or more pounds over his ideal weight. He was taking the stairs one at a time and it was a challenge for him. I could see that he was embarrassed that he was struggling to do what most everyone else in the building wouldn't give a second thought. But he was there just the same.

I headed to my favorite piece of cardio equipment and got started with the day's workout. As I often do about 15 minutes in, I started absentmindedly peering over the rail to the free weight area below. I noticed a woman about my age working with one of the personal trainers on staff. I imagined that she had made a new year's resolution to lose those extra pounds, perhaps something she'd done in years past, and this was the year she was going to succeed. Her body language clearly showed that she felt out of her element. She appeared to approach each exercise tentatively. But she was there just the same.

As I headed back to the locker room after my workout I thought about that young man on the stairs and the woman working with the trainer. Both of them had stepped out of their comfort zone to seek a better, healthier life. Both of these individuals inspired me that day.

As I made my way to the exit I received one final overwhelming chunk of inspiration. An elderly couple was entering the gym, each appeared to be about 80 years old. The gentleman, frail, with stooped shoulders, assisted his wife who was moving at a snail's pace with the help of a walker. He waited patiently for her to make her entrance as I was exiting the building. Surely they would rather have stayed home on such a dreary morning, warm in the comfort of their own home, but instead they saw the need for and value in getting some activity that day. They were there just the same and they inspired me.