Sister Carrie
No, I’m not actually talking about the classic novel by Theodore Drieser… the title just popped into my head after reading this “My Turn” article Carrie Lugar Slayback wrote for the Los Angeles Times.
There is one place this 66-year-old retired elementary school teacher feels equal to anyone, on a par with the best and the biggest: in the gym, lifting weights. I don’t care if I weigh 111 pounds and bench press 30. I’m as good as the hulk who weighs 250 and lifts dumbbells bigger around than my waistline. He’d better not talk on his cell or read the paper on the machine I want, or I’ll kick him off!
I’ve stayed with lifting for about 10 years. I had to make myself enter those gym doors for the first five years. I’m lazy and resistant, so the fact that I always felt great when I left, took a long time to sink in. Didn’t matter that I got spontaneous healing of that stiff back, achy wrist, tense shoulder or gimpy knee. Too much trouble to change into gym clothes and the workout took so long. No matter that the time went by in a wink. I didn’t want to bother.
Then one day I reached up to comb my hair and noticed my bulging biceps. Muscles I never knew existed popped up on my back and shoulders. OK, I thought, so I’m a teeny weeny little grandma, but when I write on the chalkboard, there’s more bulk on top of the biceps than loose flesh shaking around underneath. And look out boys, it’s all me. No steroids, testosterone or protein drink.
She’s a sister, all right… a soul sister. The weight room is where it’s at. 😉
Carrie’s article speaks to one of the greatest things about hitting the weights: empowerment. It’s not all about developing a hard body or getting shredded. Her sense of pride in her accomplishment really shines through. And she has every reason to be proud: she stuck with it and is seeing the payoff in how she looks and feels.
April 10, 2010
Sister Carrie – http://blog.ultimatefatburner.com/2010/0…
April 11, 2010
Carrie Slayback was my fourth grade teacher! I actually just restarted contact with her just not long ago because she was the most memorable early figure outside of my family that instilled in me at that young age the importance of compassion, a work ethic, and a moral center. She ran and still does run marathons (or maybe half marathons?) She just ran the NY half marathon! I’m so proud of her, and I’m so glad to see her recognized here. It truly is a small world sometimes.
April 11, 2010
No kidding, Vincent – that’s very cool.
I’ll bet she was a good teacher – she’s got grit and determination (obviously).
April 11, 2010
Excellent article. It’s nice when you do notice the results of work at the gym. Although subtle at first, they sneak up on you.
When you first notice you have biceps, or you have abs, or your shoulders are getting wider. It sure is a great motivator to see these changes appear.
It makes the time spent seem well worth it. It would be nice to see other people taking this example to heart.
April 12, 2010
Sure was and sure does. And she’s absolutely the sweetest lady you could ever meet.