There I was in the gym today, doing my workout... 45 minutes of cardio, followed by an upper body workout.
It was later in the day than I usually work out and I found myself a bit tuckered out, with a tummy rumbling because it was supper time, not exercise time.
I climbed up onto the assisted pull up machine for my last set, psyching myself up because I was seriously bonking... low blood sugar levels and the whole bit.
"You are GOING to do this!" said my Inside Voice, as I hoisted myself up.
One. Two. Three. Four.
"Gggg-yaa-aahhhhhh!!!"
There it was. My first (and I do mean first EVER) audible (make that, really loud) gym grunt. Well, to be fair, it was more like a cross between a grunt and a gasp.
I couldn't believe the sound that escaped my mouth. I even heard it over my iPod, which was blasting Eminem so loud I couldn't hear anything else... except my screeching grunt.
I think I was more surprised than anything. It was completely involuntary... I daresay I've never made a sound anything like that before in my entire life.
Well, at least.... not in public! (Details are not going to follow. Use your imagination if you must.)
I looked around to see if anyone was staring. They weren't. Or at least, they were keeping their eyes averted and muttering discreetly amongst themselves.
But they must have heard it. Gawd! It was brutal. Raw. Primal. Like some kind of animal.
I have a British background you know. I was raised to be stoic and at all costs, dignified. One doesn't wallow in one's pain or effort. One keeps a stiff upper lip and does not embarrass oneself.
How did that noise make its way out of my body?
I swear I could see my mother roll her eyes from the grave and hear her say, "REALLY, child! Have you NO sense of decorum? You were not raised to be a heathen!!!"
I have this feeling Mum just wouldn't understand her daughter's almost daily pilrimage to the weight room, especially considering that said daughter does not "glow", but rather sweats; isn't graceful, but rather flails around at times and is totally uncoordinated; she almost certainly smells disgusting after working out and now, apparently... she grunts, too.
Disgraceful!
And with that, I really need to go make myself a cup of Earl Grey.
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10 comments:
It's good to get in touch with your inner heathen from time to time (you seem amazed to realize there is one in there!), in public or private. The buka's not shy about hers at all.
Sarah,
Welcome to the Burly Woman Athlete club. We sweat, we flail, we might even occasionally make strange noises. But we don't care because we ARE Burly Women!
enjoyed reading your blog - take care and have a great weekend..
Well, I will have to admit that I used to be a meathead, but I believe I have graduated out of that status over the years. However, in light of this post you may have some explaining to do.
When I played baseball in high school I used to grunt LOUDLY everytime I was up to bat, when I swung of course. It became kind of a trademark of mine. The louder I grunted the harder I swung. Thankfully I was a decent player and actually connected with the ball a good percentage of the time.
Disgraceful indeed! ; ) : )
But to echo Michelle...welcome to the club! : )
ohmygod - what a good laugh - that was awesome! before I got to the ipod part, I was wondering if people hear things that i don't when i have my ipod on - if i was there and heard you, i think i would've laughed out loud and given you a high five. the earl grey seems so fitting to return to being proper afterward - just a little self-check.
You threw me with the "use your imagination" bit. The whole thing just took another turn. Ha.
That was a fun post.
"I have this feeling Mum just wouldn't understand her daughter's almost daily pilrimage to the weight room, especially considering that said daughter does not "glow", but rather sweats; isn't graceful, but rather flails around at times and is totally uncoordinated; she almost certainly smells disgusting after working out and now, apparently... she grunts, too."
Of course there's what she might SAY to you, and what she might be thinking and feeling. I'm quite sure she would be proud of your dicipline, focus and attention to your well-being.
There's no need for "glow", grace, rosey smells and pretty little "oh"s at the gym. I'm sure your Mum would agree that there is a time and place for everything.
The gym is the place for "heathen", "primal" and "raw".
The rewards of your grunts, moans and groans come when you realize a long, healthy and happy life... not to mention when you dress to the nines for the opera!
As for,
"Well, at least.... not in public! (Details are not going to follow. Use your imagination if you must.)"
Hmmm...
When my kids were taking martial arts, they were expected to make the appropriate noises at the appropriate time. It was considered part of the release of energy. So there ya go. Several millenia of Asian athletes can't be wrong.
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