Okay so I've never really been one to purposely exercise (meaning go to the gym or go running, etc) very often, maybe 2-3 times a month at best, but usually never. It hasn't been something I have particularly enjoyed doing and I always just say that since I'm an "active person" I don't really need to exercise. Well I'm not saying that isn't true, I still believe that if you are an active person, i.e. you take your kids on walks, go hiking, play with them outside (or inside) and not watch them play, but actually run around and play with them, etc. and don't just sit at a desk all day that then you are probably okay if you don't go to the gym or go running every day. I have no proof to back that up, that is just my personal opinion.
The big thing I do push is nutrition. We try really hard to only eat whole grains, including wheat pasta, brown rice, wheat bread, wheat tortillas, quinoa, bulger, oats, we do eat white rice occasionally, but usually only when I didn't think ahead enough to make brown rice. We try really hard to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, we just recently realized that we probably aren't eating enough of them so we've uped our intake even more to try to get 6+ servings in a day. We don't eat meat very often, maybe 2-3 times per week and instead eat lots of legumes. We hardly ever have processed foods like chips, soda or candy, but that is more because we are too poor to buy them then anything! I'm a sucker for chips....yum....! Anyway, I'm not saying any of this to say how cool I am for eating healthy, just explaining why I never felt a great need to exercise.
However, one of my friends asked me if I wanted to start working out with her. Twice a week we go to the gym and do elipticals or run on the track (I'm not sure how many people know this, but I hate running...I really hate it...but we run half laps and then do push ups or leg lifts or something to break it up and then run another half lap, and it really hasn't been bad!), and then 3-4 times a week we would do kick boxing or an exercise video with some other girls from our ward. I was really hesitant to agree because I knew I would have to stick with it because she would be relying on me to be there at 6am. She had to push a little bit and reluctantly I said I would and I can't believe the difference it has actually made! I'm finding that I'm less tired, even though I'm waking up an hour earlier and I actually feel energized during the day, something Jackson is definitely enjoying. I have also found that on days when I haven't exercised that I'm lazier that day. I'm not sure what it is, but I find myself not wanting to even walk down to the laundry, do the dishes, or even walk/bike to campus, but wanting instead just to watch t.v. or mess around on the internet. Also, I actually feel better about my body, not that it looks any different, but just internally I feel better about it. I guess its because I'm taking better care of it, I'm not sure, but I'm not as self-conscious about it.
I've always heard people talk about how they feel so good when they exercise or how they have more energy, but I guess I never really believed them. How could you possibly have more energy after you just used it all up running 5 miles?! Well, I have been proven wrong! I feels great to know that I just went 3 miles on the eliptical, burned 300 calories and in only 30 minutes (...can you say "hello chips!!!"!?!??!) or that if someone tried to steal my purse I would totally round house kick them in the face with my mad kick boxing skills! If you're thinking about starting to exercise more I would totally recommend it! Get in a group and go with some friends for motivation or start an exercise group in your ward and just get together a couple times a week to do an exercise video or do what we did and find someone from your ward who is a kickboxing or yoga or zumba or whatever instructor. Its a great time to socialize and Jackson loves kickboxing because he gets to play with all the other kids.
Well I'm finished with my rant, but I really do feel better now that I'm exercising and I'm so surprised at the difference it has made....I guess all those people weren't lying after all.
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