OKAY ra? That’s the question my personal trainer always asks me when I’m lifting weights at the gym.
The first time he asked that, clueless me replied, Okay ra. And, of course, he added more weight for the next set. But did that teach me to think twice before answering, Okay ra, the next time he asked that same question? No. I still said, Okay ra. By the time I realized I should pause for a minute or two before replying, I was already lifting the leveled-up weight.
After several sessions, I’ve finally learned to pause and think twice before saying, Okay ra. But then, there’s the challenge of lifting more weight. Because he will always go back to the lighter one, anyway, if ever my, ahem, muscles are not ready yet for the heavier weight.
Welcome to Gym 101 where people were still exercising and lifting weights while the gym’s first-anniversary celebration was ongoing. I was like, What the…? Will you please join the party for a while? They did watch the program and participated in the fitness challenges and dropped by the buffet table in between sets. But their focus was still on their workout. This is how dedicated and committed people can be in improving and maintaining their health.
I gotta feeling each of us at the gym has been there, done that with all sorts of exercises and diets already. Or probably it’s just me. Been there, done that.
On Saturday at the anniversary celebration, my mind was already on my 6 pm Zoom appointment with my low-carb doctor, a consultation that I reserved weeks ago. Being absent from that meant queueing again for the next vacant slot which could be weeks from now.
I had to leave the party at 5 pm if I wanted to be home before 6 pm otherwise I’d be having that consultation while inside the gym. But I wanted to wait for the raffle draw. I wanted to win at least that because I simply couldn’t compete in the fitness challenges that my seasoned gym classmates were able to win. Hehe.
And I did win! Before announcing my name, they described my attire first: naka-black shirt. I yelled na: Ako na! Next clue: naka-white sneakers. Me: Ako na gyud na! And finally my name. Me yelling and celebrating like I won the lotto: Yay!!!
It was so heartwarming to see gym classmates compete in different categories. This is the gym that welcomes everyone, so, participants were of all ages, and it was up to them to accept the coaches’ invitation for them to compete. It was a friendly competition, of course. And we were given a glimpse of how bodybuilding championships are conducted.
Perhaps you’re now curious on what my low-carb doctor told me. Basically, her advice was for me to level-up to a stricter but simpler diet.
The morning after our consultation, there I was, having a brunch of boiled beef with salt and no lemongrass, no ginger, no other whatever. Plus grilled pompano and two boiled eggs. The most pleasant surprise: the beef was yummy. All along I thought the lauya or bulalo here at home was delish because of the lemongrass and ginger. No. It’s the meat, not the plants. Realization 101 again.
Okay ra? Yes, okay ra.
