Time for reflection

About two weeks ago, I told my mum I’ve started developing the nasty habit of looking down at people who don’t work out. When I see shopping trolleys filled with coke and pizza, I shake my head and frown. Looking out of the window while walking on the treadmill and catching the eye of a poor passer-by who probably has a very good reason for being overweight, a sense of pity and judgement overcomes me. Having spent the past two weeks in bed for reasons including sinusitis, influenza, urticaria, and a general feeling of being unwell, I’ve started to become ashamed of my swift and condescending evaluation of people I don’t know and know nothing about. Just like I gained more kilos than I’d like to share here while I had bronchitis last year, I have absolutely no right to judge the people who do not frequent the gym for reasons unknown to me now. 

Simply because I have chosen to prioritise exercise as part of my life, and keep it high on my value list, it doesn’t make me any better or stronger or more enlightened than the people who don’t. They may be followers of the belief that when life gives you a spare moment to breathe, it should be enjoyed with relaxation, wine and chocolate. Or eat tons of pasta, like the Italians. Or watch their favourite re-run on TV. Good on them. They may have four children at home, perhaps one sick with something, the other needing help with their homework, or all four waiting to attend a soccer tournament for which cinnamon buns must be baked. They may, like my mother, work 60-hour weeks, have a corpus librum floating around their knee, and be awaiting surgery in order to get to the gym. In the end, no extension of authority for passing judgement is given to me simply because I choose go to the gym six times a week. 

After all, I have an almost completely stress- and carefree life. I may choose to pile projects and exercise onto my plate, but it’s an easy choice. The only person I have to consider when making my choice is just as keen to re-visit his weights and reps as me. Piece of cake, some might even say. So here it is, my public and broadcast promise: I will never pass judgement upon a non-gym-goer again.