Gym for me. In Jan 2007, I started going to the gym. I felt that along with losing weight this is the perfect scenario to observe people of different shapes; sizes as well as attitudes that would fill my days with humour or feeling of absurdity. Also it would provide me with food for thought which is very essential for a budding writer like me. Within a month of my joining the gym I found that here are three categories. One who is serious about weight loss and is a regular. Next is the person who huffs and puffs to lose weight wanting results within a week and then disappear. The third person is the kind who comes more to socialise than to lose weight. It’s nice to see teenagers, adults and elders all converge on the same platform having one aim.

         FAQ.The newcomers who have joined the gym recently have questions bubbling within.. Most common questions asked by them are- How much have you reduced? How much time did it take? Are you on some kind of diet? Does the weight machine show the correct readings? The eagerness and enthusiasm of the beginners which I see in the first week slowly starts waning as the days pass by and within few weeks they do the disappearing act especially when they have to pay the next instalment of fees.

       The Funny side. I wonder why the walls of the gym are fitted with mirrors. I keep looking at my own figure or rather other’s figures as they exercise. This is to either to boost or burst my ego. I have to control my urge to step on the weight machine everyday after my workout. After a few months I discover the truth. The weight machine never lies but our gym weight machine does lie. It shows my weight two kilos more so that I don’t ever leave the gym. I see a person who steps on the weight machine after every exercise. I think he measures the gms he lost or..

      The perfect figures. Some girls and guys with perfect figures come to the gym in latest gym outfits, hairstyles and gadgets. I wonder whether the gym is for exercise or ramp walking. Sometimes the gym is a meeting ground for lovers. Did somebody say fitness and romance go together? Anyway it is a great meeting ground for those who want to show their abs/ figure and attract the opposite sex. Also gym is a place to throw up comments, both positive and negative. Sometimes I receive encouraging comments on my figure and that suffices for the thousands of rupees I pay to the gym owner and sometimes comments disappoint me making me feel like quitting.

      The gym jokes. There is this person who runs at a top speed on the treadmill. When told to slowdown he jokes, “I can’t, my wife is after me”. Another lady refuses to step down the treadmill, when there is a queue waiting. She makes an excuse saying, “I got to get married and unless I slim down I can’t catch a guy”. My friend counters, “If I don’t slim down I am in fear of losing the guy I married”.

      Socialising The gym is also a place to discuss all our health issues. You get to know the reasons why somebody has joined the gym. You thank yourself that health wise you are okay. Sometimes you can overhear the family problems, maid issues and local gossip along with a chat on latest movies. Loose your weight and also let go your gloominess.

     The nuisance There are minor irritants at the gym like people leaving their sweat towels or dupattas on the gym equipments as if they are hangers for clothes. The music is loud and the people talking on the cell phones louder. The cell phones have no respite even when their owners are sweating out. Then there are people for who exercise is only a disguise. They come to body watch. At the end of six months my weight reduced, not so much as I expected but my observation, wisdom and knowledge has definitely increased.
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