I don’t exercise to rock a bikini, finish a marathon or set new personal records.
I flat out hated exercise for a good portion of my life. I used to forge notes from my Mom about “painful menstrual cramps” to avoid Phys Ed in High School. I even elected to take Organic Chemistry my senior year because it got me out of gym class three days a week (also, I’m a geek who loves science, but getting out of Phys Ed was a nice perk).
But things have changed since then.
During a visit with my foot surgeon (the fabulous Dr. Ng) a few weeks ago, he suggested biking as a way to get in some great cardio without irritating my foot (I’m trying desperately to avoid surgery #3). So I took up biking – and it’s crazy fun. Biking doesn’t feel like “work” or something I have to do. I sincerely look forward to hopping on my bike and riding the gorgeous trails near my house as the bright Colorado sun shines down (Vitamin D baby).
What I absolutely LOVE about exercise is not how it can make me look, but how it makes me feel.
Happy.
Calm.
Balanced.
Connected.
Focused.
And that’s why I do it. Not to lose weight or bench press my body weight. I exercise because it helps me feel at peace with my mind and body.
I don’t look like a fitness competitor because I don’t train or live like one. I simply don’t have the desire to commit to that level of intense training or rigorous dieting. What I DO look like is a perfectly healthy almost 40 year old female.
When folks ask me what they should do when it comes to exercise, my first question is always – what do you like to do? My second question is usually – what is your goal?
The alternative to not exercising for me is off the charts anxiety and a prescription for Prozac or something like it. And I don’t want to take those drugs, because I like to feel my feelings. I like to be able to laugh until my stomach hurts and cry when I’m sad. And I like not having chronic diarrhea. Too much information? It’s the truth. The side effects can be gnarly.
Unless you have a serious fitness goal, like running a marathon or competing in a figure competition, simply moving your body in a way that feels good to you is perfect. And it’s likely your mood will lift as well – even if you don’t suffer from anxiety or depression.
Exercise doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing endeavor. Doing what you like to do when you feel like doing it is a lovely way to approach fitness – especially if you’re just starting out. It sure beats sitting on the couch all day or diving in so fast and furiously that you wind up sitting on the couch all day – injured.
When it comes to exercise (or pretty much anything in life), I tend to follow my favorite piece of advice – do what works best for you.
Robyn Spurr is a Certified Health Coach, Weight Loss Coach, Personal Trainer and founder of Chickadee Weight Loss. She helps women reach their healthy, natural weight and stay there without all the diet craziness.
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