So how’s 2020 going for you so far? The last time I wrote a blog was the week before Christmas last year. Shit has changed a little since then, right?
Of course, everyone’s health and safety is of the utmost importance. I feel absolutely terrible for every family that lost a loved one, and in many cases could not give them a proper funeral. But I also feel terrible for every person that lost their job. So many people in the service industry; hair salons, restaurants, bartenders, casino workers, hotels and malls just name a few. Heartbreaking. And then the people in the medical industry who witnessed this first hand. How will we ever be able to thank them and show our appreciation after this is over?
When I reread the previous paragraph I realize that my woos are completely insignificant. But they are my woos. Myself and millions across this country/planet had to deal with something we absolutely love and could no longer do. Go to the gym.
I have had a gym membership since 1985. In 1992, I didn’t go to the gym for about 2 months. I was dating a girl who wanted to go out every night. I was young and dumb and went along with this. I was staying out late, drinking, waking up late and then going to my 2nd shift job. Luckily, this relationship didn’t last long. Since then I have been pretty consistent, never missing more than a week only a couple times. Since 2012, I really ramped it up and started going 7 days a week. I rarely miss a day.
My point in explaining this is to say that I have had a loving relationship with the gym for a long time. We broke up on March 17. (okay we are just taking a break)
I haven’t been taking this very well. At first I was okay, thinking this would last a week or two and then everything would reopen. It would force me to take a break, a good chance to heal up some nagging aches and pains. That was my initial thinking. When timelines started to be extended and restrictions were more stringent, I knew it was going to be a long time before I saw the inside of a gym. I got depressed. I did nothing for over two weeks before I finally did some pushups and sit ups which actually made me more depressed. I love using heavy weight and pushing myself. Sit ups and pushups felt less than masturbatory. It isn’t going satisfy me.
Then one day I was scrolling through Instagram and saw a friend posting videos of her home workouts. She was working hard as she always did in the gym. We messaged back and forth a few times. She basically told me to stop being a punk and stop crying about this situation. Wow! A kick in the ass! Motivating.
A day or two later I ordered this:
Took a week or so to arrive, but I put it together that day.
Still a big adjustment but at least I am doing something. Actually, I have been getting decent workouts and it’s almost fun coming up with new exercises using the resistance band with handles and the rack. I’m trying to get back into a regular routine and become accountable to myself and everything I have done to this point.
Part of that routine is getting back on my bike. I try to ride 5-7 miles before every workout and 7-10 miles on days in between. I have a trainer that I will ride on for 30 minutes if the weather sucks.
From the late 1990’s to the late 2000’s I used to put a lot of miles on my bikes. 2000-3000 miles every year, riding right through the winter months. There was an MS ride that covered 180 miles in 2 days that I did for 5 years. I don’t remember making the decision to stop riding, but for the last 10 years I would ride maybe 50 miles a summer. That’s it.
I found a love for riding again. I have been going out about 6 am. It’s brisk but it’s quiet and virtually no cars on the road. It’s almost like meditating. Very peaceful. I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’m already trying to figure out how to work this into my routine once gyms do open up.
Maybe that is the silver lining in this whole coronavirus, COVD-19, quarantine craziness. We are learning to adapt. We are finding new things that we never knew before. We are spending more time with our loved ones. And maybe we are learning to re-appreciate things we’ve had for a long time.
I imagine once things open up again, we will be wearing face mask in public for quite some time. The BEAST MASK will go on sale on May 1st. They will be 3 for $10. They are made out of t-shirt material and the manufacturer says they are disposable. Not sure how long they will last but they are washable.
Please be safe out there. Keep GRINDING and before too long we will be back to normal life.
Peace,
The Beast Life