Note: The following was something that I posted to another site and I’m reposting here. Why? Two reasons: I’m letting you know about my life and I’m lazy.
Ah, yes…January 1st has rolled around and you…most likely rolled around as well. I know I did. Us slightly more rotund people tend to do that. But that’s why we’re here, right? We’re here to change that. We’re here to be lean and mean. Well, maybe not ‘mean’. After so many salads, we’ll probably be ‘surly’. That just doesn’t sound as cool though.

With this new year upon us we’ve taken it upon ourselves to reshape our bodies and hopefully our lifestyles. Here’s a good case in point: I’ve started hitting the gym at 4:30am. For the past few weeks, I’ve been doing it twice a week to meet up with my trainer. Is it easy? Hell no. My trainer, Amy, is good at being motivated early in the morning and she helps me get through my whimpering and whining.

For me, waking up at 3:30/3:45 isn’t that hard. I’ve always been an early riser. Luckily, my wife and the dogs no longer seem to notice me. The dogs may want to kill me, though, as I try to stir them awake and get them out to use the bathroom. Then they stay with me, sleeping at my feet or on the couch, as I work for a bit. When I finally head upstairs to change for my workout the dogs seem overjoyed to be able to jump back into the warmth of the soft, comfy bed.

At 4:30am there isn’t a lot going on. Most everyone is still asleep. This includes people at the gym. And there’s the rub – when I hit that gym that early in the morning I don’t have to deal with most of the other members that you see when you go immediately after work. Whereas between 5 and 7pm the place is packed, my time is filled with an emptiness that allows me to work out without any other people to disturb me.

It is interesting to see the others who hit the gym at that ungodly hour, too. It is a club unto itself – the people who enjoy the solitude and convenience of exercising without others around, making sure to fit it into their schedules, using the equipment and knowing it is available.

Other than the times that I use my trainer, I’ll probably start hitting the gym regularly at that time. Rather than twice a week I’ll try and hit it 3-4 times a week. Without the constant repetition, this won’t become a lifestyle change and a habit. For me to reshape myself and make myself healthier, I’ll try anything.

Face it: I’m tired of the way things are. Its time for a change.