Since we’re not a military family, Memorial Day is time we spend with each other. My sister, boyfriend, and parents are up here, along with my girlfriend.
Even though have a loving and supportive family, I need to vigorously exercise to feel comfortable around them. Basically it’s the equivalent of taking a few belts of Schnapps before Thanksgiving dinner. A mellower. Since I don’t drink, exercise is the only option. Valium works too, but I’m one of those sober people, so I can’t do that. Damn my addictive genetics!
Here’s the problem – I’m not a workout guy. Yes, I do bike 20 miles a day in the summer to and from work. And, while that is a workout, in the off months, I literally don’t move. I’ll hit the gym maybe three times in four months. It has never been my inclination to just get up and go exercise. Some people are like that. I’m envious of them. Since I can’t seem to do that, I project the anger I have at myself to them. If you’re one of those people who can’t wait to go swim laps or do lat pulldowns, go find another stupid fitness blog to read. Also, shave off a few fat grams from your diet – you’re only at 12% bodyfat, and we all know you want to get to 10%. Also, please realize you’re hated by 97% of us.
What happens is that after a few days of being with my entire family, I start to get edgy. There’s nothing specific I can pinpoint that gets to me. Everyone is very supportive and loving. No gripes I can write about here.
But I start to get super critical of things my parents do. Like the way my dad mispronounces things or how my mom falls asleep on the car ride home from dinner. I know, major violations. But I get nuts over these things. I think it’s about control and how I can’t control their behavior so I have to criticize it. I do this because I am often disappointed in my behavior which I would like to better control.
Anyway – since I know I get this way, I need to do something I don’t normally do. Force myself to do hard cardio. So, today, I rode my bike 10 miles each way in 95 degree weather to the Shedd Aquarium. They took normal transportation like sane people. I was so tired and sweaty when I got there that it was like being on a seven-beer buzz.
I can’t be the only one who does this. You’re family is nuts. I heard this about you. This guy you went to junior high with gave me an earful. Your sister is a real piece of work. Jeez, how do you deal?
Hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day.
photo credit: Louish Pixel via photo pin cc