Take Your Loss to the Gym

There is nothing more difficult than the loss of someone, something or loss of self. Whether its a relationship, a job, a pet, self worth, dignity or the physical death of a person you love. It doesn't matter what the loss is; a loss is a loss and its painful. They all come in different forms of pain and grief. We all experience different emotions when we endure one of these life's many trials, but it's how we decide to push through that makes us stronger and keeps our "chin up" through the coming days.

I recently took a great loss. My Grandma, Gloria Baker, was someone in my life I was very close to. Not one of those average "oh I HAVE to go see my grandma" scenario's where most people; kids, teenagers and even adults, take for granted who they HAVE to go see.  It was a privilege for me to be able to pick up the phone and call her weekly. It was a privilege when I got the chance to see her on Holiday's or whenever I drove up from Vegas to visit my family and friends. See my Grandma wasn't a chore. She was a blessing and an amazing one at that. I could talk to her about absolutely anything I wanted; she never lied or misguided me. She was the Grandma I could always count on to make any situation lighter with her laughter, her humor, her ability to scream louder than a drill sergeant when the 49ers were losing a football game or even making a touchdown. She was the LIFE of the party at every family gathering. For me, it wasn't "I HAVE to" it was "I GET to". Something I believe and know that people take for granted. Are you getting the picture?

When we take a loss, as I said above; its not how we experience the pain, its how we make it through. I'm a health and fitness fanatic. Everyone knows that. So for me, there is nothing more satisfying to my daily routine than getting into the gym. No matter what I'm going through, I ALWAYS want to be there. And I'm not talking about your average hamster wheel spinner, your chronic cardio buff or whatever name you call it. I'm not interested in getting nowhere on a cardio machine. 

For me, its the iron I want. There is something to be said about that cold weight room when you walk in, emotion after emotion rolling through your body like an electrical current, waiting to be ignited. Its the feeling of being put in check when I step to those plates; knowing I will walk out of there a defeated happy mess. Defeated? Yep. I said: defeated. The iron ALWAYS wins. I can take any aggression out on it any time I want. I can push, press, pull, lift, curl and throw myself into the iron and no matter what, I still cannot defeat what just gets heavier and heavier with each exhausting repetition, each set that goes by; I am being defeated. The iron doesn't lie to me, it doesn't give into my problems, it doesn't care about my fears or sorrows. Its just there to release upon it the force of emotions I have inside when I'm ready. It doesn't move without me, but it always wins. 

Since before and after losing my Grandma- and many many others in between, this is my 2nd home. This is where I know I can SHUT UP AND LIFT! If I want to be left alone? Gym. If I wanna be aggressive? Gym. If I wanna beat the crap out of someone? Gym. If I took a loss? Gym. Whatever the reason may be, you can find me in the gym. I am there; giving it my ALL and fighting myself until I can't be fought anymore. I am there to leave every emotion on the ground and walk out defeated. There isn't a comfort food in the world that can leave you feeling defeated and happy at the same time.  If you have yet to experience what I'm talking about, GET YOUR ASS TO THE GYM. If you do it right, you'll walk out defeated; happy.

DO YOU EVEN LIFT???