Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Why I Workout (and more 24 rankings)


I've been home in TO now for 1.5 weeks indulging in food and sleep - not a particularly healthy combo - but hey, I'm on holiday. I've also been playing as much hockey as possible so hopefully that's offsetting the ill effects of said combination. I do miss the day-in day-out consistency of attending the gym at school though so here's how my story goes on why I workout. I workout because:
  • My body belongs to God and should be cared for accordingly. Regular exercise is known to prevent the onset of many disorders (both physical and psychological). I also see working out as an extension of why I don't smoke or drink excessively.. 1 Cor 3 reminds us that God's Spirit lives in us and that our bodies are sacred. I'm working to preserve mine.
  • Injury prevention - weight training helps strengthen bones, joints, and muscle. Rolled ankles and broken bones suck.
  • Sports - I'd like to think some of the time I put in at the gym gives me an edge at the sports I play.. faster, higher, stronger!
  • Missionary life - it can be physically gruelling and I want to prepare the best I can for it (read Jim Elliot).
  • Self discipline - it's not easy getting up before the sun, but self-control is a Fruit of the Spirit.
  • I didn't consciously come up with this next reason and I can't say it's my primary reason for hitting the gym regularly, but after my buddy brought it up one time, I must confess it does indeed motivate me. Let me paraphrase him: "I workout so my future wife can have the pleasure of enjoying this magnificent specimen of refined and chiselled..." OK, you get the point. He's doing it for his future wife, and he's right. How can I expect my future wife to be fit and attractive if I do a sloppy job and present her with a fat, decrepit, outta shape body??
  • Last but not least - I wanna look like the fella above. AARRRGGGHH!!
Seasons 2-4 of 24 have become a blur for me so here are my rankings through season 4:

Top Five
  • Chloe O'Brian
  • David Palmer
  • Jack Bauer
  • Tony Almeida
  • Lynne Kreske
Bottom Five
  • Ryan Chappelle
  • Erin Driscoll
  • Audrey Raines
  • Wayne Palmer
  • Sherry Palmer