Hate Exercise?
This morning my kids turned the heat up to a delicious level. Our home was warm and toasty, candles were burning, music playing. It was an environment that begged me to curl up on the couch with a book and fade into the comfort. I didn’t, but I wanted to. Instead, I put on my workout clothes, a hoody, a vest, and tucked my phone in my pocket and went into the abysmal cold and ran five miles. It was the last thing I wanted to do. I left the warmth for the biting cold, or as cold as Northern California can get, and I set out on a brisk jog. Why in the world would I do that? This question reverberated in my mind the first mile. Why would anyone leave the cozy to spend their time working out their body in the cold, or in a smelly gym, or in a warm gym, or on a machine. Why do we do this chore of grueling exercise.
Finding your personal why is a necessary component to creating a plan that you’ll stick with. Health coaches and physical trainers are equipped to work you through the process to discover your reasons that will push you out of your comfort and into the madness of contortion.
I thought, I would share my why with you. I exercise almost every day. I watch fitness videos online, fitnessblender.com is my favorite. I use my elliptical machine. I do fifteen minute HIIT routines when I have zero time. Is it just to have a really great body? Yes and no. Feeling good in my clothes and liking how I look is definitely a reason. I love when my husband lights up when he sees me naked and I want to keep that spark alive for as long as possible. Probably when I’m 90 I’ll speed walk the neighborhood to keep my booty up - and for the gossip, definitely for the gossip - and the booty.
I work out first and foremost for my mental health. There are times that life gets in the way and I let my workouts slide for a little while. This was most common when I was a new mom and hadn’t figured out sleep deprivation, a new human, and how to motivate myself to get off the couch. However, when I had my last baby and was sunk in postpartum depression, I knew I had to push myself to find my joy. I tried a lot of the self-care routines and nothing seemed to eek through the wall of sadness. I knew that the best way out of my despair was to move, to move when I wanted to and when I didn’t want to, but to get out and go. I started walking, very slowly. I walked carrying a baby, I walked pushing a stroller, I moved, and I cried. Then, I started to run, slowly, and then faster. Now, it’s second nature, but I still don’t always want to do it. I exercise regularly, because I know that when I let myself slide too long, the wells of sadness can fill up. Exercise is my pathway to joy, emotional stability, and peace.
I exercise because when I don’t want to and I do, I’m building mental strength. I’m training my brain that I can do hard things, I’m capable of what sometimes feels impossible. I’m stronger than I realize. This positive mindset creates feedback that strengthens my neural pathways of confidence and ability. It bolsters my fight against dementia and aligns my thoughts.
I want to be strong. I want to chase my kids and not get tired. I want to march up mountains. I want to stand at the edge of a cliff and know that I am capable of getting down. I want to embrace my ability to stay young and fun with my family. Cause let me tell you, chips and the couch may be enjoyable, but too much of it; I lose stamina and the desire to even try to engage in the acts of living.
Moving our bodies isn’t always easy. Getting into a new habit takes time, effort, and commitment. The results are worth the pay off. Whether you are wanting to change your physical shape, build your endurance, or heal your mind, creating a routine will help you stay consistent. This is a great time to find a fitness professional and let them walk you through the process of creating a plan and building out a goal sheet. You can do this, I believe in you. Because your best you is more than how you look, it’s how you feel.
