Does anyone really love exercise? I mean, I know Jillian seems to love it, but really? When I wake up next to my husband each day, I think I want to spend time with him and enjoy his company; I want to share my life with him; I love waking up next to him each day (well, most days anyway) and can't wait to see what the day brings with him in our journey; I can't wait to talk to my husband at the end of my day and share our days with each other. I love my husband.
I do not feel that way about exercise. I do not wake up in the morning thinking, I just want to exercise and spend time doing that. I do not want to wake up early to do it. I do not want to do it first thing in the morning. I do not want to do it after a long day. Does anyone? And, if so, are those people mentally stable? Just asking...
So why on earth do I exercise? Because I know it is good for me; I know it is part of healthy living. And, I know when I exercise, I feel better. I think part of what makes me hate exercise is that it seems that everyone knows what the best thing to do is, but I don't always love what that thing is (think Zumba, Crossfit, Spinning). I have learned, from many years of learning and trying to do what others think is right, that I have to exercise in a way that I enjoy - even if the "experts" don't thing that is the "right" and "best" thing to do.
The truth of the matter is, that when I exercise I feel powerful...it makes me feel like I accomplished something. Part of this stems from the feeling that I didn't want to do this in the first place - maybe because I was worried I couldn't do it. But when I do it, I feel like I can accomplish anything! But, when I finish those three sets of walking lunges (20 each set), I am amazed that I could finish it! When I look down and realize I have actually run 1.5 miles as a whole - without walking - I am astonished of what I actually can accomplish. The problem is, how do I overcome the feeling that I don't want to do it in the first place?
For me, I just try to remember how great it feels to accomplish it! And, I try to think that I will look better in a month or two (maybe). But, that only goes so far. So, I try to commit myself to working out with other people - because I am not going to be that girl who doesn't show up to do the workout (and those of you who do this know who you are). And starting this year, I have decided to sign up to run some 5Ks, because I am also not going to be that girl who signs up and doesn't do it!
But every day is a challenge. I love to sleep, and I love the comfort of my bed. I love to get up in the morning and drink coffee leisurely while I watch the Today Show and Live! with Kelly and Michael. It helps to have TVs on the cardio machines - that's just real, honest truth. I am more likely to stay there longer if I am watching something I want to see the end of. Hey - whatever it takes, right?
As I sat here today watching amazing college basketball (a sport I absolutely love), I think to myself, why couldn't I have been an athlete? Athletes have it so easy - they have spent their whole lives working out and eating well. They don't know what it is to struggle. But, then I think about the discipline they have had - everyday has been a choice for them, just like it is for me...I just have not chosen the same path as they have for many, many years.
I do not fool myself into thinking that I will be like the athletes I see in NCAA Men's Basketball at this point in my life; first of all, I am still not committed to making those choices on a daily basis. But that doesn't mean I can't be an athlete of some kind! I will commit to exercising 4-5 days per week (4 this week) and running at least one 5K (Color Run, here I come!) - but hopefully more. I will never love exercise...it's just not something I will ever feel about in that way. I just recognize it is necessary, and I try to remember how good it does make me feel.
Who knows...maybe a year from now the great feeling I get from exercising will outweigh the sacrifices I have to make to do it (sleeping, watching TV, drinking wine, etc.) enough to make me think I love it. This is what I believe about people who say they love it...the endorphins they get from exercising override their ability to function reasonably. Again, I'm just saying...
