A regular

I have crossed over.

From bemused observer to garish spectacle.

From the guy who sniped from a slow-moving treadmill - "Hey, look at the old guy wheezing on the elliptical. Look at Bobby shortpants with the high socks, ha, ha, ha. Oh, and shhh, look over there at the guy so muscly he can't move his arms" - to an object of mockery.

Once a cynical outsider sent to observe the wildlife, I am now as much a part of the gym's flora and fauna as bad techno and those faded, signed posters of B- and C-list actors and athletes.

Yesterday, without even hesitating, I emerged from the locker room in a white T-shirt that my energy-efficient dryer has made too small, dark grey socks that I had worn to a funeral earlier in the day and  Bermuda shorts/swim trunks. The light blue shorts actually depict a map of Bermuda and other islands. Get it? Bermuda shorts? (I bought them for $9 at a J.Crew store in the States during the absolute bottom of the ecomomic collapse last year.)

In a floor-to-ceiling mirror, I caught an image of the ensemble and realized how undiscriminating I had been. A couple exercisers tried not to stare.

For a moment I wondered what they were thinking but quickly decided I didn't care. I was comfortable in my Bermuda shorts. I am comfortable at the gym.

I am now a shameless regular.

Comments

[Adam in Toronto]

Awesome! Now, tell us how your body and energy levels or overall health have changed now that you are a "regular". Are you still lockerroom phobic or have you lost your fear of them as well? What other changes have occurred?

[kevin]

Next year you should take it to the next level with a steroids blog.. can't see it being anything but awesome...

[Chris]

Wow, sounds like the only thing missing is "The End".

[andrea]

if you are serious about exercise and really pushing your limits join a Crossfit Gym. Crossfit Toronto is online and, google crossfit and stop wasting your time

[Nadiya]

Congratulations! you have learned to love it! proud of your growth!

[Peter]

Can you tell us what gym you work out at?

[Tammy]

Congratulations! I know the exact moment I became a regular too...much like yours ! Hahaha I'm assuming your legs tanned up? (from a previous post you mentioned having white legs and wearing only jogging pants !) Glad you are enjoying the gym! And might I say I'd rather see you in your get-up than the guy trying to impress some girl by lifting weights he wouldn't be able to lift if he were to do it with proper form! Welcome to the "other side"....It's nice here !