Gym class changes a student's outlook on life

By Bailey Thompson

Gym Class. These two words must bring back some memories or thoughts.

Most of the time, it's either a love or hate subject. Either you love physical activity or you hate it. Either way, at one point during high school, the average student will have to take it. You are currently required to have at least one 'health and physical activity' credit to graduate.

It was no different for me. Being someone who hasn't really enjoyed gym in the past, I chose to get it over with in Grade 9. This is something many Grade 9's choose to do.

However, first period every day of the first semester wasn't quite what I had imagined. The thought of having the gym as my homeroom made me cringe.

When the first day came, I found the gym with little trouble, and walked down the long hallway fairly openminded.

I was happy that I was getting it over with and wanted to make the best of it, after all, it can't be that hard!

My gym teacher seemed nice. She told us of what she expected, and what we would be doing for that week: fitness testing. Judging from the expression on the faces of my classmates, I wasn't the only one who didn't know what that meant.

Beep test, push-ups, sit-ups and flexibility test were the words she used to describe it. I knew what it meant now: A huge workout, especially since I'd spent the two months of summer relaxing with little physical activity. I got through two days of it, however it would be a lie to say I didn't complain.

The same week of the fitness test, I was told something I didn't want to hear. My neighbour, who I've often babysat for, was diagnosed with cancer, a disease that the Canadian Cancer Society has estimated will be diagnosed in 166,400 Canadians in 2008.

"You thought your life was hard," was the last thing my mother said before leaving the room. I thought those words over a lot.

The following day, I came home from school, again complaining about what I'd had to do in gym class. My mother didn't say anything, instead she gave me a look and the words "You thought your life was hard" replayed in my head. I knew what she meant.

It really got me thinking. My life is simple compared to many. A lot of people don't realize how much they have, until they lose it. Although I didn't lose anything, I realized how much I take for granted and how many things I complain about that people wish they could do.

The next day, I walked into the gym with a feeling of guilt still following me.

"Come on girls, get running," my gym teacher told us.

And I did. I ran more than I had before. I ran for my neighbour and for those who can't, but wish they could. I ran knowing it's a simple task compared to the things some of us have to painfully work through. I ran because I could.

The memory I have of gym class is no longer torture. Instead, I remember a lesson about valuing my current abilities and not taking small things for granted. It was a lesson that a teacher didn't teach me, but that we all still need to understand.

Author's Note: For anyone who felt the same way, or could relate to this article, visit www.ihategymclass.com. It offers support. I also have an article similar to this one published there.