ONLY exercise if you want MORE

[momtomany1]

LIFE in your life.

The following is a post about the value of exercise. Regular exercisers will find nothing revelatory in my little tale. Those who aren't ready to commit to regular exercise will discount the value. But I offer it in the hopes that someone who is considering committing, will be given the nudge they need.

Only exercise if you want more LIFE in your life.

Today has been an awesome day so far. I enjoyed a 5 mile walk down fern-lined woody paths, spotting wild rabbits, squirrels and birds. FIVE MILES! (Scientists have found that achieving goals produces dopamine in the brain. Sticking it out and getting in that whole five miles is a total rush.) I might have stayed home and not taken that walk, since yesterday I did some run intervals that left my left inner leg at the groin feeling pulled and sore. However, I figured walking would likely work out some of the 'hitch in my git'along' and help, which it did.

I then proceeded to eat breakfast and then spend 3 hours in intense effort in my flower gardens. I weeded, mulched, dug, watered, planted. LAST YEAR my poor garden was woefully neglected, as it was too hard on my much heavier body to bend over, get down on my knees, move mulch, I got out of breath and getting warm left me feeling too exhausted. Many of my perennials soldiered on to reappear this year, and I enjoyed the morning surrounded by my roses, red storm lilies, easter lilies, and the like, and I am anticipating a spectacular display of daylilies that is just getting going. My carnations are actually blooming this year, where last year they did not, and my hosta are coming right along.

Although I feel no soreness at all from this 3 hours of intensive bending and lifting, I did reward myself with a nice soak in the hot tub. This has left me feeling refreshed and ready for a different set of activities this afternoon, likely sewing and laundry.

LAST YEAR a 3 hour bout of weeding/mulching would have left me unable to move. A 5 mile walk would have been unthinkable. Over the fall/winter/spring, I have built into myself capacities that I was nowhere near having a year ago. THAT is the magic of exercise. It isn't just what you are doing today that you reap, but the future capacities that you are building in yourself that are a great deal of the value of regular exercise. You will just have more LIFE in your life, hands down.

Where you are today is not the most important thing, but where you want to be. You need a vision of where you want to arrive. If you want to feel like superwoman, get moving like superwoman! Don't not exercise today because you are too big, or too far from your goal weight, or let yourself be lazy. Form a true mental picture of the strong vital self you want to be, and steadily start working toward being that person. Imagine yourself doing all the things you would like to be able to do!

Today I really DO feel like SuperWoman, like I can take on the world. Oh, after my soak I pulled out a 'shortall' garment in a 10 and it zipped right up. It has a full cut in the hip, lol! It has been months of working toward a goal, but really, we are always working toward some goal... sometimes we are working toward the goal of being unhealthy and bleah, just by not choosing a better goal!

I haven't reached my size or weight goal yet. But the goal of feeling vibrant and alive and productive? that I have met fully, and expect only to continue to meet everyday. May all of you also, be fully alive, and grow every capacity you desire to be able to express, every single day.

[Desihue]

Touché

[happymomto4]

Yeah, that's what I needed to read. I'm getting off my chair right now--it's time for me to do more! And maybe in 6 months I'll be writing about my enjoyable 5 mile walk and all of the wonderful things I can do because I chose to exercise more today. Thanks!

[imagood1]

I applaud you Mom!!! I'm sure you will inspire many porch sitters or couch potatoes!! I agree there are mornings I'd love to stay sitting with a cup of coffee or another glass of water but I know I can't slack off....I make myself ride my bike, or do another day of Jillian's 30 day Shred or go for a walk (or all of the above like today).....I may have a hard time starting but once I get going I feel wonderful.

I remember last year when I got down in the front yard to weed around our post box....much to my horror I had to call my husband on the cell phone (he was in the house) and ask him to come help me because my knees wouldn't allow my body to get upright again. I didn't cry but I was mortified that someone in the neighborhood might have seen that. This year - I can get up from any weeding job without assistance - my little win!!

[Hoovopolis]

This was a great read. I am super encouraged by this! I love the gym and seeing how far I can go each time, but your perspective is much more encouraging than a dingy old gymnasium.

Way to go!