Staying active looks different to different people. For some, it’s that daily long walk with their dog. For others, it means regularly going to CrossFit, boxing, running, biking, weight lifting, and the list goes on and on. I think that as we go through different phases and stages of our lives, our fitness regimen sometimes changes. There’s nothing wrong with that friends, as long as we keep on moving.
I find that I go through phases of being into different types of exercise. While last year I was at the gym almost everyday, lately I’ve hardly been there at all – even before I moved last weekend and actually had a gym that I could go to (must join a new one soon!). Instead, I’ve been more into outdoor workouts – mainly hiking, tennis and biking. Those workouts have just felt more fun to me these days, and I’m fine with that as long as I’m sweating and getting some form of exercise in.
Today my hubby and I had a tennis session together. When we got to the court down the street, a man and his son were playing. Once they finished, the man asked if they could watch us play so his son could get a better idea of the game.
View from the top of Kwaay Paay Summit in San Diego
I was slightly horrified at the idea of people watching me play tennis, since I mostly don’t even attempt to have the correct form (or even know what that entails for that matter!). My hubby and I don’t even keep score when we play! After a few minutes they left, and we joked about how quickly they disappeared once they saw our (lack of) skills. I think that the man wanted his son to learn the proper form and rules, and we’re not very good examples! So why do we play tennis together if we’re not very serious about it? Because it’s fun, it’s a workout, and we get to be outside and be together!
The point of me telling you this is to stress the importance of finding something active to do that you enjoy, whether you’re great at it or not. As long as you’re having fun and working up a sweat, who really cares? Most of the time, you get better the more you do it anyways. When I first started hiking, I thought my heart was going to explode during some strenuous hikes. But the more hiking I did, the easier a lot of it seemed. If you dread your workouts, chances are you won’t stick with it. On the flip side, if you actually look forward to exercising, you’re more likely to make it a habit that you’ll keep – so find something (or in my case, a lot of things!) that you love to do, and go out and DO IT OFTEN!
I came across the below chart about the ways that regular exercise can enhance your life, and I think it’s a great way to showcase how working out isn’t just a thing we do to burn calories. Check it out:
May you have a happy, active weekend!
You are so right about this! Back in the fall, after YEARS of running, I completely lost my passion for it. I could not make myself run one step. So, I just started walking a lot instead. I walked outside and did various incline treadmill workouts. This is what I enjoyed at the time. Even though I’ve since found my passion for running again, I learned I didn’t “have” to be runner. And, today, a completely different perspective. I’ve been so sick the past 2 weeks and last week they discovered I have pneumonia. I haven’t worked out in 3 weeks and cannot wait to do SOMETHING! Anything! This has taught me not to take my health for granted.
Sorry for such a long comment 😉
Oh no, get better soon!! I had pneumonia once so I know how draining it can be for a prolonged period of time. Just try to give yourself the rest you need, and you’ll be back at it in no time!
Sometimes we become creatures of habit and do things just because we’ve been doing them. I think it’s important to stop and recognize if you’re still enjoying whatever it is, and if not, change it up to something you find fun at the moment. Sounds like you do that, as I try to do as well!