The Dreaded Gym

For the last several years (I'd say at least the last six), Sam and I have faithfully gone to the gym on a regular basis. He is much better about it than I am because he enjoys routine, whereas I find the repetition quite monotonous, so I tend to go through spells of 6 months to a year of going 4-5 days a week, and then I'll take a break for a few weeks or months, depending on my aggravation level. Bicycles help to somewhat compensate for that lack of time at the gym, but I am noticing my bulges exceeding even my normal ones. It is not good. Perhaps it is partially that I haven't even been riding as much as I normally would. Last week was my first time back to the gym in several months, and while on some level it was good for me to return to something familiar, I was immediately reminded of the boredom I go through while walking or jogging, basically in place, seeing the same sites for 45 minutes to an hour, and dealing with odd smells (everything from women wearing an entire bottle of perfume which gags me, to men who haven't showered in two weeks).

I guess I can be a fussy person because peoples oddities seem to annoy me even more at the gym. Individuals who constantly cough or clear their throats, those who swing their arms wildly while walking at a 2.0 MPH pace on the treadmill, strangers who want to come over and tell me that I'm "doing a good job" or otherwise speak to me about whatever is on their minds, or those who grunt and groan while lifting weights seem to really get under my skin. I'm sure it sounds entirely, well, bitchy of me to say that, but it's the truth. Why it bothers me? I have no idea, but when I am awake at 5 AM to attempt to get in a workout, I just want to be left alone. I'm already not a good morning person, so just being up is a bit of a chore. I wear ear buds and put my iPod in an obvious place so people know I'm occupied, but it doesn't seem to stop it.

What is my point in all of this? I have to figure out a way to make the gym interesting and fun again. While we've been fortunate to have escaped any sticking snow thus far, it is on its way and when that happens, I will be relegated to more indoor workouts. Our nearest gym is 10 miles from home (as is just about everything else) and the reason I get up at 5 in the morning is because it is the only time Sam can go. It seems silly for him to drive over alone, then have me drive over again later in the day, so I try to force the 5 AM workout... but maybe it isn't working for me anymore? I like to work out in the morning because it's a good start to the day and give me energy throughout the days' activities, but I would honestly prefer to go about 2 hours later than the current time. Do I just need a change, or do I need to force myself into the early morning workout and just deal with things as they are? I'm not sure what the answer is for me, but I really need to figure it out because the holiday eating is certainly catching up with me much quicker than I'd anticipated.