This might seem like a funny one, but it has really changed my life. I've always been a really active person. In high school I was on the dance company and drill team, so I was dancing a lot. Plus when I had electives to take I would usually choose a p.e. class like weight training or aerobics. I just loved how I felt when I was exercising! I remember when I was a sophomore I would go to the pep squad (spirit club... sorry) practices in the summer at 6 AM, and no I was not even on the pep squad!!! I just wanted to go and workout and learn the cheers, so they let me come along.
After I was out of high school and in college and married exercise fell by the way side. I didn't really know what to do because my main form of exercise before had been dancing, so I wasn't really sure what to do. I had a rough summer the second summer I was married and knew that I needed to get moving for the sake of my sanity. So we joined a fitness center by our house and I MADE myself go everyday. I started to try running and I was so sssslllloooowwwww........
I was so incredibly slow... it was insane. I would run for 2 minutes and I would have to walk for 5 minutes, that was how I started. I remember when I finally worked up to running 4 miles straight I was so excited!!! That was a huge milestone for me.
I approached exercise differently than most people do. I think that most people feel like they have to exercise because they want to lose weight. I started to exercise because I was depressed and didn't want to go on any medication, and I thought that exercise would help me out there. After a few short weeks the benefits of exercise were amazing!!! Here are some things that I noticed right off the bat...
- I've never had great skin, but when I run my skin clears up and has a nice glow to it.
- I slept better than I have ever slept. Something about moving your body makes it want to relax better at night. I have a much easier time sleeping when I'm exercising.
- I noticed a mental difference right away. It woke me up, I felt like life wasn't as gloomy as I thought it was before.
- When... you know... aunt flow makes her visit it's miserable!! (Sorry brother... you don't have to read this one...) I'm always in so much pain that I just want to curl up and die!!! I noticed that I didn't cramp as much when I was regularly exercising.
Those are just a few little things that really made me want to keep this up. I was so amazed by how much better I felt when I was exercising that I decided to study exercise in school. This is why I majored in exercise science. I wanted to help people change their lives through exercise. Not only just for the obvious physical benefits that it had, but the mental and emotional benefits of exercise.
Oh I love studying nutrition and exercise. I'm not quite as into it now as I have been in the past. Somehow motherhood, homemaking interests have taken over my mind. But that's okay, I still remember what I've learned and try to apply it to my life. Something else that I like about exercise is that you can tailor it to your own interests and lifestyle. If you don't like running, then don't run!!! Find something else! There are so many different things you can do... I will never go and play basketball or soccer to get some exercise... NEVER!!! I just don't like doing that. I'm sure that everyone can find something that they really enjoy doing do that it's fun and not torture.
I don't know what I'm going to do with this in the future. I have a degree in it and would still like to help people, but I'm not sure which route I want to take. Right now I have a few friends that come over a couple mornings a week and we lift weights together. We all have little kids and so they run around while we do our push ups and lunges. It's fun, it's a good excuse to hang out with friends and it's good to get a good workout in. I love it when they tell me that they are sore the next day, that means I've done a good job!
Anyway, I really am thankful for exercise. I'm a much happier, healthier person when I exercise regularly and I am so grateful that I have the knowledge of how to take care of my body.
8 comments:
AMEN! I am so thankful for exercise as well and it has completely changed who I am and how I feel. I had never been a regular exercise until about five years ago. I knew what I had to do to feel better so I made a conscious effort and I have been a regular exerciser ever since. It is THE natural anti-depressant.
some of my favorite memories from school are going to Step Aerobics with you on Saturday mornings...so much fun!!!
I remember that aerobics class we had together our junior year. If you don't remember me being in it, yeah, that's probably because I only went like three times and then dropped it because I couldn't do it. I was always ready to pass out. I wish I could get in to exercise like you do where I don't give up right away if I can't do something. I need me some patience!!!
I am not one to exercise. However, you made me want to try. Thanks for this post!
Your story is similar to mine except I never had a love for exercise until after my first baby was born. I think running is harder when you're tall, I'm pretty slow but I love it. Have you ever ran a race? Great Post!
I LOVE running! and I really love your Thankful posts. way to go :)
I felt the same way once I left high school and didn't have sports to keep me busy. I wanted to be active, but didn't know how sine I no longer had basketball or volleyball practice to go to. I decided to start running a few years after high school (something that was always my least favorite part about working out) and ended up liking it. I, too, started out slow (and still am pretty slow), but it's so fun to see the quick changes in endurance after just a couple weeks. I love how my body feels when it's in shape and I even enjoy a bit of soreness (because I know it means I've been working out). :)
I need to do better. I am actually scared to hit 30 because I am not active right now and I am no where near where I would like to be. Thank you for the motivation. I really do need a natural high. Let's workout tomorrow.
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