To me, exercise is freedom. It is bliss! It means I am fully alive and investing in my own well-being. It means my body works well and is strong. It means I am well. It brings me peace.
Every day I wake up early before my boys and do a morning yoga routine. I then go for a long, meditative morning walk. Mid-day I am beginning to incorporate a 15-minute yoga sequence, and in the evenings I do a 15-minute chair workout working my arms, legs, and abs. I want to continue these routines as long as possible. I truly enjoy them and am nurtured and strengthened while doing them. I also love to dance. And I enjoy yoga classes. In my free time I would happily participate in any outdoor activity imaginable such as gardening, hiking, skiing (water or snow), climbing, diving, rafting, zip-lining, biking, skating. You name it! Exercise is not a means to an end but an enjoyable activity for me.
What is exercise for you? Society says we should exercise to make our bodies look more like Top Model or GQ material. What is that honestly going to do for you? Most of us are not going to be the next Top Model or GQ cover model. Our confidence and self-assurance must come from a different source. Our motivation must be intrinsically not externally derived. I can almost assure you that if changing your body is your motivation, your exercise routine at best will not be sustainable (because it will not be enjoyable) and at worst, it will be your prison. Exercise can also be an escape. This will not be sustainable either, and may ultimately become dangerous. Think addiction. We can become addicted to any activity that we engage in as a method of escape. So my encouragement to you today is to find an activity that you truly enjoy that also challenges you in some way physically, one that stretches you, strengthens you and gets your heart rate elevated. And make that your exercise! Your body and soul will thank you, and you will not ever quit because the rewards are too great. Exercise is not a punishment it is a privilege. So go out and find your FREEDOM!
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