My New Friend Ed

This past year I changed my workouts from evening to morning.  I became a morning person through this tough transition and absolutely love it!  The drive in the dark to the gym is peaceful.  I love this 10 minutes as I focus my mind on the day ahead and get my mindsest on eating clean and my workout.  Sometimes I use this time to pray, sometimes to listen to the radio, but it is MY TIME to focus on ME.  The early morning gym-goers are very different than the evening ones.   It is very crowded and loud at night with a younger crowd.  The 5AM crowd is a little older and seem to be very focused.  I was a little intimidated when I first started.  I felt out of place among the body builders.  Over this past year I noticed this one elderly gentleman with a head full of white hair.  He is a little bentover, walks a little slow, but is very fit.  I would guess he is in his upper 80's, maybe 90.  His smile is so warm and friendly.  He always says good morning to everyone, including me.  I find myself looking around for him when I get there.  His smile makes my day.  Yesterday as I was struggling through p90X, he came up to me.  He said, "I see you here every morning and don't even know your name, my name is Ed".  I introduced myself and we shook hands.  When I said that I am impressed to see him here daily working out,  He just smiled and said, "For me, I exercise everyday, it is a matter of life and death".  I thought about Ed the rest of the day.  There is just something about him.  His friendliness with everyone - he knows no stranger.  His commitment to his health.  I want to be like him when I grow up.  He makes me feel good.  Sometimes he winks at me or gives me a thumbs up when I am doing some crazy pullup or pushup.  He encourages me without even saying a word. 

Yesterdays workout was a tough one.  I am having a shoulder issue and I just didn't feel strong yesterday.  My eating was ok, although my portions were too much on some things.  Ed made me realize something though.  He is committed, but I bet he isn't perfect - just a hunch.  I am committed, but not perfect either.  I struggle with perfectionism sometimes and it is a waste of energy.  So my goal today is to truly enjoy this journey and not be so focused on my weight.  I AM GETTING CLOSER TO MY GOAL and this is all that matters!

Lessons learned from Ed......I don't know if he is Christian, but he sure does demonstrate what "love your neighbor" is all about.  Although he is focused on his fitness at the gym, he is also focused on being so kind, welcoming, friendly, encouraging and non-judgemental.  I go to the gym and I am extremely focused on self.  Although it is important to have my mind in my workout, it is more important that I am approachable, friendly, kind and encouraging anywhere I go.   It's not like I'm rude or anything, but I keep my ipod up loud and don't interact with anyone at all.  So, I think I will begin acting more like Ed.  I will smile more, say hello more and give a thumbs up once in a while.  I want to be a blessing to others like Ed was to me.