The Nike Air Monarch IV’s. I suppose the young’uns might consider these “old man shoes” and they probably are. They’re not the best or trendiest shoes I’ve ever owned, but they hold a special place in my heart.
I had a lot of anger after my divorce. I decided to start walking every day. This was the summer that I moved back to Michigan, so i had a lot of time on my hands. Once i got into the habit of walking everyday and realized it wasn’t enough to help me relax anymore I decided to start going to the gym. In order to do that, I would need a decent pair of gym shoes. I didn’t want anything too expensive or anything super tacky. I decided to go with the Nike Air Monarch IV’s – in what would become my favorite color scheme: red, black and white.
This stint I would do , going to the gym, would end up being the most dedicated I have ever been to getting into shape. I ended up losing probably 40 pounds at the time. By the end, I was going to the gym, probably 6 times each week. I would spend easily 90 minutes at the gym each day, sometimes longer. I was going so frequently that I started recognizing people who went to work out around the dame time of day that I did. Rather than wondering if I was using the weight machines correctly; I got to a point where I would shake my head whenever I saw people using them incorrectly. For a moment or two, I considered getting a job at the gym. Perhaps most importantly of all: I was no longer intimidated into staying out of the “free weight” part of the gym. Historically, I always felt like that was the exclusive domain of the muscle-heads.
For me, going to the gym at this pint wasn’t so much about getting into shape. I needed something to do. I needed to do something with the anger I was feeling about not seeing Kid 1 every day. As I got into the habit of going, I started seeing results. I WAS losing weight. I WAS getting stronger. I was in a MUCH better mood and I had more energy.
Even the way I ate was changing. I’ve always eaten like crap; but I found that my body was staring to reject certain junk foods. I’ve always been a heavy soda drinker. But as i kept working out, I drank it less and less. Eventually, I got to the point where I couldn’t even finish a single soda at a restaurant.
Through all of that, my one constant companion while I was “rebuilding my body” were my Nike Air Monarch IV’s. I cannot even begin to calculate how many miles I put on those soles; nor how much weight I lifted in them. I wish I had kept them as a souvenir or sorts. Unfortunately, I had work the bottom out so badly – the had conformed to the contours of my feet so much – that it was painful to stand in them.
Where did the Air Monarch IV’s take me? To a new level of peace, of confidence and physical fitness. They helped me through the most emotionally gut-wrenching period of my life. Even the black white and red color scheme is one that I’ve come to identify with. I cant put a measurement, or a price tag, on that.
Tell me about your favorite shoes. Where have they taken you?
Thanks for stopping by Rebuilding Rob. Be sure to like, comment and subscribe to my blog below. It’s greatly appreciated! Also, feel free to follow me on social media as well! Check out my most recent posts as well as some earlier, related posts:
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- Life is What Happens: A Look Back at My Non-Existent 2025 Vision
- The Moment I Walked Inside a Hallmark Movie
The Article “My Favorite Shoes” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob.
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