Recently I have noticed that most of the blogs I read almost seem unreal. Like the writers/photographers are living an idealistic life filled with joy and perfectness. It seems like their world is peaceful and everywhere in their houses is clean and their photos look like they were taken straight out of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine. They all know how to decorate, sew, teach, craft things from wood, take fantastic photos, and then they all write about it in a way that makes me want to be them. It makes me wonder what a "real" day is in their lives. I also realize that there are times when I don't want everyone to see what is not perfect in my life as well. But, not today. Today, I am keeping it totally real. I do not like to exercise. At least, I don't when I am not in the "groove." There are so many of my friends who are into running, or exercising, or just seeing how fit they can be (at least, that's how it appears to me). I read many, many Facebook statuses and many, many blog posts about them running, exercising, and finding ways to get that last little bit of exercise in an impossible situation or place.
That is not me. At least, not right now.
A few years ago ... Yes, that was me. I was waking up at 5:30 every morning to exercise (utilizing my Firm videos), and I felt great! There was a sense of accomplishment about working hard in the morning (or even in the afternoon or evening), especially doing something that I hated.
That's not true. I didn't really "hate it." I hated getting up, getting set up, getting started, getting through it. It was hard.
So many people I know love to exercise. They tell me that their day is not complete unless they have first worked out. And, I totally get that. Having been a person that exercised frequently, I felt the energy and the positive psychological outlook that that accompanies physical activity.
When I was exercising daily several years ago, I met my sister, mom, cousins, and aunt in Las Vegas for a girls' weekend. I was not willing to stop exercising, because I knew that if I stopped for even one weekday, it would be super hard to do it get back into the habit of exercising daily when I'd get back home. So, I took my dvds with me and used water bottles for my weights. My sister thought I was crazy. I agree. But, months later, for one reason or another, I didn't exercise. And, I haven't been in the habit of exercising daily since that day. It has been so hard to get the motivation to get up and do it. Something always comes up to influence me not to get my stuff out and do it. It's way more fun to play a sport. And, I'm so excited to be playing volleyball weekly now that church volleyball has started. It's not enough though. I know I need to be exercising, even if it is just to be a good example for my children.That's not the real reason why I want to start exercising again, though. I want to be able to wear jeans again. (Currently, I can't find jeans that fit because when I buy jeans that fit my waist, the legs are way too tight; and when I find jeans that fit my thighs, the waist is humongous.)
Jon and I are planning a trip to San Diego this spring for our anniversary. And, I keep telling myself that I will wake up and exercise so I can feel better about how I look in my swimsuit. Every morning I wake up and then roll back over and go back to sleep. Maybe one day I will own up to my expectations and then I won't feel so terrible.
So, you tell me ... what pushes you to exercise? What do you like to do to stay fit?
Comments
The other thing I've done is found jeans that work for me. (I often have the same problem; thighs right=too big waist; waist right=too tight thighs.) I found some at Shopko that are perfect, and I've also found them at Old Navy. They tend to make me feel a little bit better about the not working out thingy. :)
Good luck!
.....None of that was helpful. :) I just feel for you...That's all!