Acting Without the Drama

November 5, 2009.  My son and I go to the gym together every morning at 5.  We generally do about 45 minutes of cardio, then I go back later (after dropping off the kids at school) to lift weights.

I started going with my boy so that we could help each other stay in shape, but it’s become a lot more than that for me.  It’s become a time to stay connected to him.  Both of us have some issues around our body image, although it’s slightly different for each of us.

One of the things I’ve noticed as I work out (and I’ve seen the same thing with my son), is that when I’m feeling connected, my body responds really well.  When I’m not, I get tired more quickly, aches and pains creep in, I have an over-all miserable time.

The other thing that happens is that there are times when one of the kids shows up.  When I’m working out, it’s usually one of the body image kids.  They can get pretty upset about what we’re doing.  For me, the main thing they have to say is that getting into shape may just ruin my marriage.  I’m not sure if you knew that having a good body automatically meant marital trouble, but there you have it.

And when they get stirred up, they start trying to pull kill-switches.  All of the sudden, my knees hurt, my lower back starts twinging, I get a stitch in my side (it’s kind of cute… when one body part aching doesn’t get what they want, they switch around).  Basically, they do anything they can to stop the workout.

My son’s kids are the same.  Last night, he had some reading to do, as well as some math.  He started reading but couldn’t stop.  Then it was too late to start on his math homework, so when I woke him up this morning, he couldn’t come with me.

I missed him.  I find that it’s easier to work harder when he’s there.  I enjoy having his presence beside me.  I also like chatting with him on the way there and the way back.

So tomorrow, I’ll look forward to working out with him again.  Or, if the inner kids show up, I’ll enjoy talking with them and helping them to integrate.

Either way, it sounds like a good morning. 

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