In a couple of weeks, I turn 35. I am not afraid of getting old. I actually like it. I cherish every birthday that I see. I have no interest nor desire to be 25 again. I remember being in my 20's. I just don't want to see that drama again. I had fun then. I'm having fun now. I plan on having fun 10, 20, 30 years from now.

What does scare me is that 10, 20, 30 years from now, I will still be concerned about my physical appearance. I don't care if I gain a few pounds. I've gotten over that. I know that I am still relatively fitter than even some of the more ardent gym attendees around. I also know that I am smart enough to stay healthy and not revert back to the 220-lb. fat man that I was. I just don't want to be one of those people who still works out like a maniac beyond the age of 40. It's one thing to stay in shape, it's another to be so concerned about the size of your biceps/waist/chest beyond the age of 40. I guess, I just feel that after 40, maybe one's concentration should not be on the perfect body.

As a gymrat, I see some of these people. They are at the gym day in, day out, rain or shine, hell or highwater. They are there for 2 to 3 hours a day. They work out harder than most people 20 years younger. They do look fitter than most people 20 years younger. Their skin doesn't look 20 years younger. They know every fat cell present on their bodies (most of them barely have any). Nary a stray calorie passes their lips. They haven't had bread since the first Bush was in office. You can hear them strain as they lift/leap/run/repeat. You can tell they are competing against the younger gym members. And time. Most of them will say that they do it for themselves. Is this really true? When you are 20 years-old, do you think that 20 years later you would still be trying to fit a physical ideal?

I probably won't be one of these men. Truth be told, I like the gym but not enough to spend more than an hour in one. Unless I am getting paid to be there. At the age of 25, I did feel that I needed to look a certain way. I did it mainly for acceptance into a clique. When I got into one, I did it mainly because I thought it would get me the "ideal" mate. I spent hours upon hours, days upon days, weeks upon weeks at the gym. The only thing it got me was plantar faciaitis.

Maybe I am afraid of being a gymrat at the age of 40. Gymrats should be between 21 and 35. After then, "rat" should not be any part of anything that describes you. Later.
  ¶ 11:26 PM