“No pain, no gain” is a phrase I often hear, particularly when struggling through a workout. It echoes in my mind every time I lift weights at the gym.
To clarify, I am not a fitness enthusiast or the athletic type. During my youth, I was active, playing street basketball, riding my gearless bicycle, and occasionally swimming at the YMCA pool. However, years of good nutrition and an unhealthy white-collar lifestyle soon led to medical issues.
My joints began to groan under the increasing kilos. Later, I required knee surgery following a badminton injury. When COVID-19 struck, the higher threat of infection due to my comorbidities made me extremely paranoid.
A herniated disc left me wondering if I could walk again. With a combination of answered prayers and good fortune, I recovered. Now, intermittent fasting and regular exercise have produced benefits like improved stamina and overall health, allowing me to fit into clothes that are a couple of sizes smaller. However, as the fat melted away, another issue emerged: loose skin and flaccid muscles.
Embrace the Journey: Hitting the Gym Again
Determined to firm things up, I decided it was time to hit the gym. Although it wasn’t my first rodeo, I hadn’t done any strength training post-pandemic. The gym’s familiar smell of sweat and mildew mingled with disinfectant and alcohol. The sights and sounds were as I remembered: grunts of exertion, clanging weights, and trainers encouraging their clients.
Familiarity aside, it felt like I had stepped into another dimension. Surrounded by young professionals clad in sleek, moisture-wicking apparel, I felt like the odd man out. Most seemed to be millennials; Gen Zs and Alphas were likely busy with their games or school assignments.
A New Perspective on Gym Life
I found myself amid a sea of fitness accessories: Apple Watches, extra phones in waterproof armbands, fitness trackers, wireless mics, heavy water bottles, microfiber towels, neon shoes with secret pockets, and personal yoga mats.
Despite feeling out of place, I began my workout with a proper warmup on the treadmill. Watching my neighbors sprint on a +6 incline while I ambled along made me feel like a tortoise among hares. Yet, I reminded myself of the tortoise’s eventual victory in the fable.
As the minutes ticked by, I activated muscles I didn’t know I had. I soldiered on, even cheating on some sets to complete the reps. My bad back and knees, like Damocles’ swords, held me back from pushing my limits. Slow and steady, as my father advised, was the approach I took.
Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Goals
Working out with free weights was a different challenge. Grabbing the lightest dumbbells, I couldn’t help but notice a young woman effortlessly lifting weights heavier than her. Respect for her strength flashed in my mind as I ignored the voice suggesting I should have stayed home.
Throughout my routine, the stark contrast between my younger and present self was undeniable. My muscles responded to resistance like the sluggish service at NAIA Terminal 3. Endurance had never been my strength, so I adhered to my “slow but sure” mantra.
Cooling down on the elliptical, I mentally prepared for the aches to follow. DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) made my arms feel lifeless. This experience taught me that older bodies follow a different schedule. Despite the aches, I believe my muscles are firming up, even as my loose belly skin remains stubborn.
More than the physical transformation, the sense of achievement and overcoming challenges keeps me going. Surprisingly, I look forward to my next gym session.
