Just looking for the gym, thanks man

Written by Gene Morris

Wednesday, 01 July 2009 08:00

For the most part, it is pretty cool being recognized around town. There are times, however, when going unnoticed would be fine with me, too.
Last week, I made my first trip to BodyMaxx Fitness to work out.

I was feeling more than a little self-conscious anyway. Did I mention this was only the third time since coming to Paola that I was out and about in shorts? Yeah, the other two times were with friends at Lake Miola, and I was in the water the whole time.

Needless to say, my legs are in need of a tan. The words “white out” come to mind.

So, there I was June 23, walking on the treadmill at BodyMaxx Fitness with co-worker Lori Massey.

I was trying to blend in. You know, mind my own business.

Well, not exactly.

I walked to where the weights were and visited with Paola High School graduates Adam Henn, Antonio Smith and Nick Barbour.

While uncomfortable about my white legs, I was trying to act natural.

Barbour got a serious look on his face and started walking towards me.

“Uh, Gene, do you know you are in the gym?” Barbour asked.

I did not say a word, but I gave him a nice grin and slowly walked back to where the treadmill was.

Lori was explaining to me how the machine works, which was probably a good call on her part.

I am sure I listened intently to her instruction.

My tennis shoes were on the sides of the machine, so when it started to move, I could begin walking in stride.

This part was a smooth transition. Before you know it, I had one-tenth of a mile in, two-tenths and so on as we walked to get a couple of miles in on the first day.
There were a few times when I wanted to change my pace and thought I would just hit the button.

In case you were wondering, this is not a great plan. As a matter of fact, it is not even a good one.

You guessed it — I hit the button, the machine stopped and I didn’t, nearly falling on my keister.

I thought Lori was going to fall off her treadmill from laughing so hard.

We were out taking pictures earlier in the day. Lori was the reason I had the shorts on and not a pair of jeans or sweats. She who was adamant about me wearing shorts around town earlier in the day while taking pictures of churches, government buildings, lakes, pools, parks, golf courses and a gigantic list of items we are shooting for our Resource Guide coming out in August as well as for Miami County Economic Development to use in brochures and literature about the county.
Before we moved to try out the elliptical, Brian Shay, co-owner of BodyMaxx fitness with his wife, Jill, came by to say hello in his own way.

“Gene. How is it going? Are you lost?” Shay asked.

Again, no reply. I just smiled. Yes, Lori was laughing.

Now, one might think Nick and Brian were being mean, but I know both of these guys from way back when, writing about the mighty Panthers and even covering both in the college ranks.

So, a little ribbing was to be expected.

Lori and I were back on Thursday after taking even more pictures.

There were a couple of updates, however.

First of all, the legs were upgraded from “white out” to “lobster” which apparently means they were red and white, with red being the dominant color of the sun burn.

Secondly, there were no more questions about being in the gym or lost. So, the initiation, at least for now, was over.

After promising my doctor, Trent Knewtson of Associates in Family Care, I was going to get out and exercise more, I had finally made a real commitment to it.
In addition to the treadmill and the elliptical work, I started walking around town again. I’ll never give up doing that. I just try to cut back on the miles when the mercury nears triple digits.

With all of the numbers I have checked out on my visits to see Knewtson every three months, there is no cheating the exercise. The man knows.

One number always gives me away. And, its not on the scale either. Nope. It is the good cholesterol. The more I exercise, the higher the number will get.

They say it should be at least a 40. Last year I was close at 39, but one of my nurses told me that close was not good enough.

This year, through exercise and diet, I have moved the number up to 41.

Here’s to hoping it is even higher when I go back to the doctor’s office.

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