The Joy of Exercise
One of the things that is the most misunderstood about health is our physical fitness. As children, most of us freely played and were in excellent condition. For some reason, many of us have lost even the desire to exercise. It is seen as burdensome, yet another thing to pack into our overloaded day. But it doesn't have to be that way! Let us take a look at some ways to bring back the joy of exercise to our lives.
Take a look back
Think about when you were a child. What were your favorite games? Were you in sports? What about your physical education classes did you like the most? These are good starting points. For example, when I was a child, our dance classes in P.E. were fun, something I was good at. Taking a ballroom dance class now would make sense.
Dream a little dream
Is there something you have always wanted to be able to do? Skydiving, swimming, racquetball? Wheelchair races? See if there is a beginner's class near you, or even something related that could move you closer to your goal. Make a plan how you will reach your goal, and write it down. Start slow, and work your way along. My sister wanted to run a marathon. When she got the idea, she was almost 100 pounds overweight. Well, a little over a year later, she ran her marathon! But it took a dream and the plan to get there.
Banish those demons
You know who I mean--those little voices that tell you, "you can't do that! -- you are too (fat, thin, weak, clumsy, etc.), and everyone will be STARING at you". Well, they are wrong! You have a perfect right to be or go anywhere you like, no matter how you look or feel you look to others. You are there to have fun! I will say this again:
You are REQUIRED to have FUN!
This is not about grinding out some predetermined number of minutes to get some set heart rate and be miserable about it! Please don't start some program you hate so you can say you are exercising--find something you LIKE! Remember the kids in the playground? No one is MAKING them play! (Perhaps you need to spend some time with children and follow their example...!)
The joy of exercise
Physical fitness is about being able to do what you need to do when you need to do it. Don't let anyone, even yourself, steal the joy of exercise from you! Dream and plan your new ideas. Go run around with your kids or grandkids. You will find new energy, new ideas, and feel (not to mention look!) so much better. Isn't that what health is all about?
Have a fun day!
Copyright 2001, 2002 Patricia Loofbourrow, MD, FAAFP. You may reprint this article as long as this paragraph is attached. Dr. Loofbourrow is a board-certified family physician. Visit her website http://www.askdoctrish.com Medicine You Can Understand!