She Inspired Me, and I'll bet she had no idea.....

I've gone back and forth on whether or not to write about a lady at the gym where I work out, and how she inspired me. I asked a trusted friend, and was encouraged to go ahead and write what has been on my mind about this lady for a few days now.

Either Monday or Tuesday of this past week I had let the day kind of drift away and had yet to make it to the gym for my exercise. My old mindset would have had me just not going. However, I had just written a blog announcing my goal to make 14 days in row of exercise. To keep my streak alive off I went to the gym about three hours late.

My little gym has a nice work out area with several cardio machines including stationary bikes, treadmills and other devices in one area. In close by area are the free weights and strength training machines. In another room the ladies have their own workout area that we guy types do not have access to and are told up front we have to keep out. When I arrived at the gym there was a lady who had chosen to do her cardio work in the co-ed part of the facility.

She was working on a treadmill at a pace that I would have lasted , oh say, 30 seconds or so were I to try. Sorry but I am a guy, so I also noticed that this lady was pretty, in good shape, and had great legs. As I sat down on my bike to get my cardio going my brain said to me, "Steve take another look, something is different." Did I say she had nice legs? What I should have said is she had nice LEG, yes singular. This rather shapely young lady was running at a more than brisk pace with one leg and a prosthetic limb.

Don't get me wrong on her pace. It was not a good pace for an amputee, it was a good pace period. I also do not mean that she was attractive for an amputee, this girl was attractive, no qualifier. She appeared to be of the age where perhaps her leg might have been hurt defending my freedom in the military. I have since found out from the gym owner that her single leg amputation was the result of a childhood accident.

Still, no matter the cause, this beautiful lady was rocking her workout. Then here I was, with both legs, and I was complaining about the seemingly minor workout I was getting going. About half way into my cardio work the lady got off the treadmill and went for a drink. My feeling sorry for me was long gone and I was getting going on my program. Back she came, taking the bike next to mine. We exchanged pleasant "good evenings" as she continued on her work. When I greet someone for the first time I always try to look them in the eye and smile. It was no different for this lady. In the sharp eyes that greeted mine dead on I saw only firm determination and warmth. The were not flirty eyes, she was set on achieving her goal for the evening.

Every few minutes on the bike she had to stop and adjust her peddle or her foot, but she just kept right on going to whatever she had set. Why don't I know her goal? Because after my 30 minute work she was still going. I bid her a good evening, and she returned the salutation as I headed out the door. Do I feel sorry for her? Hardly, no, it was pure admiration for what she has overcome to get herself in good enough shape to burry me. I may never get to her level of fitness but she has inspired me to up my fitness level.

Thank you for letting me share my inspiration.