Get your fitness on!

            As I stand here, basking in the post-workout glow that was achieved from doing a HIIT (high intensity interval training) session, I can’t help but think about something that I saw in the world of social media today. It was a meme poking fun at the way one group of individuals (members of Planet Fitness) elected to workout. Sure, I have poked fun at the unique rules that have been put into place at Planet Fitness gyms and would probably not feel comfortable there… not because of the rules, but because I prefer to workout alone, in my garage gym. The only comfort that I would gain from going to Planet Fitness would be due to the fact that their gyms are air conditioned, unlike my garage, which, given the fact that I reside in the desert of New Mexico, gets quite warm during the summer.

            That brings me back to the meme. Just because someone doesn’t workout or train the way you do, it doesn’t make their efforts at health and fitness moot. Heck, I don’t really care for LISS (low intensity steady state) cardio, but do I poke fun at those who do it? No. I am just happy that they are doing something active. While you may enjoy heavy deadlifts and seeing your veins show, others may simply enjoy getting in a little exercise while socializing. Both physical exercise and socializing are beneficial to one’s overall well-being. Me, personally, I enjoy weight lifting, MMA- and athletic training-inspired programs. I like feeling strong and being able to feel like an athlete. Some of my favorite workouts are from Beachbody (no, I don’t want you to be my coach, thank you though): Les Mills Combat, Les Mills Pump, Insanity, and Insanity: Asylum. I’ve completed two Tough Mudders, and hopefully will complete another sometime in the future.

            I’ve noticed that since I have received a diagnosis of a chronic pain condition (fibromyalgia with small fiber neuropathy), it is even more important for me to remain active. However, if someone were to tell me that the only workouts I could do was LISS, I would most likely not be interested in doing it. Despite my preference, there are some days that my pain and physical symptoms are just too much to allow me to do my favorite workouts, leaving me the only option to do LISS. I am still moving. I am still being active. So, before you judge someone as being inferior to you because they happen to belong to a certain gym or prefer a different activity from what you proclaim to be the best, take a second to acknowledge that they may be doing the best they can due to health issues or perhaps, *gasp* enjoy something that you don’t find enjoyable. Congratulate that old biddie doing some power mall walking...at least she is being active!