Have you ever wondered?

Since my anxiety has been so terrible lately, I have stopped taking my group exercise classes that I love so much at my local YMCA.  DON'T FRET, I know that exercise is a key to curing my over-whelming anxiety, so I have been focusing more on running, which is like mediation for me and can connect to my breathing in such a way that it calms me.

As most people know, when one exercises at the gym they often listen to music. Everyone is walking around with their MP3 doing their thing.  This brings me to my question, have you ever wondered what other gym-goers are listening to?  My iPod is quite the eclectic collection; I know, most people say that, but it is the truth.  There is so much going on on my iPod I don't really know where to start.

I know that when I am at the gym I like it hard & fast, my music that is.  The faster the tempo, the more focus I have; with that in mind, I also like dance music/hip hop.  Fast moving music is what I need to get moving.  OBVIOUSLY!!

I did a little bit of research on the topic and here are my results:

Quite a few of my friends listen to same kind of music I do (birds of a feather...), whether it be rock, metal or punk; fast beats seem to be popular and they also like their hip hop.
Another popular thing to listen to is Pandora radio.  I love that idea!  I am going to have to try that route.  

I also found out that no one listens to pod casts, & some don't listen to music at all, they prefer the quiet (not sure what gym they go to, but mine is hardly quiet).  Some people at my gym even plug their head phones into the TV an just listen to that.

Music therapy has become more popular then ever, it is helping people get through work-outs each and everyday, but it also can be soothing after a break up, or death or bring you to a place you haven't been for years.  My iPod may be eclectic, but most of the songs come with a memory or story, so if you see me smiling while I am at the gym, I may be thinking of that time when that happened & this song was on...

Tell me what you love to listen to at the gym or while you work out!!

Get Rhythm.

Today has been one complete week since I had gone to the gym, while that may not sound like a big deal to most, it totally is to me.  When my gym peeps start leaving messages on my Facebook wall wondering where I am, you know too many days have gone by.  To be honest, I got a second job.  I don't work a ton of hours at my second job yet, but I am working and it is EXHAUSTING!!!  Seriously, I was not expecting this.  I usually work out a minimum of 4 or 5 days a week, how could a second job be wearing me out the way it is?!?

I did get to the gym tonight with zero intention on going to a class.  Tonight I needed to run.  Tonight I didn't want to hear a cheery voice in front of the class pushing me to nth degree.  Tonight I needed the rhythm of the run.  My time running is very much like meditation.  I focus on the rhythm; my steps and my breath.  Yes, I do have music playing on my iPod, but most of the time I am thinking about nothing.  If anyone mediates that is the ultimate goal; to clear your mind of everything. (not always an easy task!)
I absolutely needed this tonight, just needed the peacefulness that I knew was within.  I am so glad that I found it.