The only way to tube…..airborne.
Anyone that has had any sort of experience in the restaurant industry knows that it is an alternate universe. Things happen in restaurants (especially kitchens) that would never be allowed to go down in the real world. One of the cool parts about my first job was that we served in teams. There was a front waiter (the girl) that hung out on the dining room floor and watched the customers eat, and the back waiter (the guy) that carried the food and the heavy trays full of dirty dishes. The set up and tear down work was also divided in a similar manner. The official term was Chick work and Dick work. Girls folded napkins, set silverware, and decorated buffet tables. Boys carried things, moved furniture, and got sweaty. It was awesome and so not PC. I loved it though. It’s something that I’ve held onto throughout my life. Of course, I worked in other restaurants where this was not at all the case. But at home….it’s a whole different story.
My generation is filled with feminists and strong, independent women. I applaud them, but I am not one of them. Don’t get me wrong, I like being able to vote and have a career. I would, however, at a moment’s notice quit my job and be the best housewife on the planet. I would bake, do dishes, sew, and garden all day long. But I would not and do not pick up heavy things, weed whack, mow the lawn, or shovel. I’m certainly capable of doing these things, but I have no interest in it. I realize that the roles of two individuals in any relationship are incredibly unique. Some guys cook (even bake). Some girls have no issue with hefting around furniture or mowing the lawn. That’s great! I just decided early on that it wasn’t for me.
I, of course, make an exception to my rule of not lifting heavy things while I’m in the gym. In fact, it’s just the opposite- the heavier the better. So where does that leave me? Incredibly unaware of the real life application of the strength that I have acquired. I don’t think twice about schlepping my insanely over packed reusable grocery bags, or loading garden supplies in the back of my station wagon. Could other people do this stuff so easily….maybe not. It’s very reassuring when I see guys that have trouble doing things that I didn’t even think twice about. Like this weekend, I went tubing. You don’t think about the physical nature of tubing until you’re out on the water getting the crap kicked out of you. You’re hanging on to a wet, slippery handle for dear life and very thankful for your ability to keep hanging on. Some people, even some guys would not be able to do it. I saw one poor weakling this weekend that clearly did not have the strength to lift his own body weight much less hang onto the tube for any length of time. Those are the moments that I appreciate the real life applications of powerlifting. It may be as simple as a festive, holiday ass-kicking on a tube, but I’m very glad that I can do it.
I hope you all had a great holiday weekend! Anyone else notice the many great benefits of lifting in odd applications?
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