Gym-gym, I no longer swim
posted by Paul
We joined the local gym late last year in pursuit of a healthier lifestyle. I started off swimming and although it was fun I found that the necessary high percentage of chlorine started to make me feel a little queasy. Kerry attends Pilates classes and these days I'm back to walking the treadmill and playing with the circuit machines. I don't know that I'll ever be one for standing in front of huge mirrors admiring my biceps as I do arm curls :).
The gym, owned by Richard Branson, is in pretty good shape *heh heh*. The equipment is kept in good nick and the facilities are always clean. To the left of this picture is a set of huge glass panes looking in to the swimming pool area. The gym also has a healthy fast-food take-away/restaurant and a free-to-use Internet cafe.
All in all they make the best of a place few want to be.
7 Comments:
I never worked out in a gym. I would be ashamed. I gained some weight after my aortic aneurysm surgery in 1996. It is a horrible operation or surgery and recovery is a long time. Anyway, after I did get better I and had quit smoking, I was able to smell food and to taste it again and I couldn't seem to get enough of anything -- ice water was a real special treat as was just looking up at the blue sky. It is hard to explain but they say when your heart is stopped then you appreciate life more. Inside my main aorta I have a piece of Dacron tube that looks like a clothes dryer hose that vents outside. It is about 5/8th of an inch in diameter and is inside my aorta and runs down to my right leg.
Now, it has long since become part of my body. I no longer smoke.
I can't loose that weight no matter what I do. I just try to work harder at home or ride my bike. But I also have emphysema from smoking and that and heart disease leaves me lacking some enthusiasm sometimes.
I just admire those who feel like working out. I guess you guys do and that is great. I would be ashamed to let people see me. I am not that fat, I feel bad for getting into this shape.
I saw your photo on the portal and thought sure it was a night shift at some factory and was surprised it is a gym. I used to work nights when Patty and I got married and it was either second or third shift. I did like either one.
I don't want to leave an impression that I am all gloom and doom. Far from it. I have my wildlife, my wife of 52 years, and I love photography.
I hope you got to see how I was able to fly. And if you did. Thanks for the visit.
Love the image, it really jumps out in the dark!
I really love the this shot where lights are so magically surrounded by the black night.
>abraham, don't get me wrong - Paul has to drag me to gym. I don't enjoy it (although I usually feel better after a workout) - I don't like putting on my gym clothes, and I don't feel comfortable in the gym environment. I only go because I know it's good for me. I'd far rather be exercising in the fresh air, but for a whole lot of reasons, that's not possible right now (not regularly anyway). I think it's brilliant that you're still riding your bike and working around your home at 72 - you'd put many people to shame!
>craig, welcome to our blog, and welcome to Cape Town! You've made a good choice. :)
Oh, by the way, I'm the girl with her book perched on the control panel of the exercise bike - I'd be bored stiff otherwise. :)
Paul, have you tried Pilates too? I use to do pilates, I had to drag a few guys in the office to join in, else I am the only guy! haha..
I have stopped pilates 2 years ago, and enjoy kickboxing and cardio-fusion classes more. They are more energetic, compared to pilates.
>keropok man, I'm still trying to get Paul to join me at a Pilates class - but it's in the morning, when he's at work (I work from home, so have more flexibility). Next time he's on leave I'll take him with me. I was actually really surprised last Thursday - there were more men than women in my class!
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