Introduction - The Gym

I started going to the gym when I came to Australia four years ago, and I've definately gotten my money's worth.  None of this turning up for a couple of weeks and then disappearing, never to be seen again for me.  I'm there 5 times a week or more.  In the process, I've gained nearly 10kg.  I find burying myself in something strenuous is a good way to find focus.  I find I like the adrenaline and endorphin rush.  I find it has improved my rugby.

I tend to focus on weights, and also do my share of time on the treadmill.  Recently I have stopped into the body balance class (yoga-ish stuff and core work, though I skip the tai chi warm up and the breathing stuff afterwards) and even did one proper yoga class which I did not enjoy on account of being uncomfortable with the instructor adjusting me repeatedly and the pretention of some of the people there.

The gym is not a place for me to relax.  It's a place to do something strenuous, and yes, stressful.  In this case, it's stressful in the physical sense which doesn't seem to bother me too much.  (It's probably an aspie thing to be able to blot out physical stress.  Emotional/psychological stress is another matter.)  Ask me to do pushups with 20kg on my back and I'm fine.  Ask me to do another set of dead lifts and I won't complain.  Hit me with pretentious yoga talk asking me to let my energy flow from my heart and I'm confused and frustrated.

 

( Only read this if you can bench press your body weight... or you're insanely good looking. )

Oh, and when I got home pasta with ham, ricotta, pumpkin, and sun dried tomato was on offer.  WOOHOO!!!