Kudos to dad!

After a very quiet, relaxing weekend, without the kids in tow, I made a point to begin this Monday morning on the right foot--at the gym. Not that I over indulged in fast food or junk food this weekend, but mainly because the week before I only managed to see the inside of the gym once. And that's just not acceptable for my 3-day minimum goal.

Before I began my warmup on the treadmill, I remembered my trainer reminding me that I need to stretch before I begin exercising, which I rarely do. I just kinda jump in there, hence a lot of soreness. I've got to remember I'm not the spring chicken that I used to be. So as I stand to the side of the track stretching, this young girl walks past me, commenting on my apparel, "Pink is one of my favorite colors." I respond politely, "Thank you", noticing how young she looked, maybe 12. But my limited time in the morning in ticking away, so I hurry to the treadmill. At the 8 min mark of my warmup, my attention is grabbed by another young person. A little young cutie peeping through a small space between the weights and cardio machines. I'm always looking through that space for whatever bulging muslces I might see to make my workout even more worthwhile. None that morning, but I couldn't help smiling at the handsome young guy, reminding me of an older version of my own son.

Then it dawns on me how early it is, seeming that I'm normally an evening gym patron. But it wasn't even seven o'clock yet. I'm thinking, "What are these kids doing here this early?" During my toning session on the machines, I would learn that the children, brother and sister, albeit, were with their father. And my heart just smiled :) Adoringly, I watched the boy working the tricep machine. From the strain across his face, he was obviously using all his might, lifting more weight than my grown self. Nonetheless, he made it through the set under his father's watchful eye. I didn't notice the girl on any of the machines, but she kept a steady pace walking around the track, probably complimenting other ladies on their workout apparel.

I was so touched that this father was instilling in his children the importance of exercising, so much so that he had them there even before the school bell rang. Now I can't say what the exact circumstance was this morning. Maybe he had his children from his bi-wknd visit with them. Maybe he's a fulltime, custodial dad. Whatever the case, the father obviously prioritizes exercising in his weekly schedule and I was proud to see that he involved his children in that important part of his life.

No matter what the circumstance that brought those children to the gym on this beautiful Monday morning, it will be an experience they'll alway remember. Special time with dad if nothing else. And the fact that they were being exposed to physical fitness at this time in their life, even if they pull away from it, the foundation has been created and they'll more than likely return to it later in their adult lives.

Kudos to dad!