Helping Women Live Longer, Healthier, Happier Lives! |
I would like to talk about a very serious fitness subject -- THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING FUN. I can't tell you how many times I've heard the phrase "Well, I know _______(fill in the blank, running, spinning, yoga) is supposed to be really good for me, but I HATE it!!". Guess what? To my mind you should NEVER do a fitness activity that you HATE. As it is life is filled with enough things that we HAVE to do that aren't fun . If you want to have a long-term relationship with fitness, you need to fall in love with it...you need to make it fun so you look forward to it. I'll give you an example. Okay, I know I will probably be stoned for this, but personally -- I hate spinning. Years ago, when spinning first came out I tried it. There I was sitting on this bike that felt a little bit like straddling a picket fence, there were lots of seriously sweaty people sitting WAY too close to me spraying me with their sweat, the lights were out (which always makes me sleepy), a very smelly candle was burning....and some GREAT music was playing but you couldn't dance because you were clipped into this torture device. Was this the latest fitness trend? It was my idea of hell on earth. In the middle of this, I turned to my girlfriend (it was only her 2nd or 3rd class) and I said, "Are you enjoying this?". To which she replied, "No, I hate it. This bike seat is getting way too intimate with me -- and it didn't even buy me dinner or tell me I was pretty. How 'bout you?". "Oh good," I answered, "I thought it was just me. Let's NEVER do this again..." . And we didn't. And did I mention those-ever-so attractive short, tight bike pants with the big giant pad built into the ass? Very flattering...I felt like a Blue Meanie from The Yellow Submarine. Spin class...hmmm... no thank you, I need to go run my nails down the nearest blackboard or work on my taxes. Seriously though, it's just not my thing, but TONS of women (and men) are addicted, so there has got to be something to it. Go figure. Different strokes for different folks. Yet, I love running, power walking, lifting weights, dancing, yoga, kettlebells, hiking, swimming (ocean mostly, not much of a "pool girl"), skiing (cross country and downhill). But other things, like "kickboxing" classes, Pilates reformer work and body sculpting classes (although I like TEACHING them, go figure) I don't enjoy. So I don't do them. In other words, there are enough options on the fitness menu that you don't have to choke down the exercise equivalent of creamed spinach. The fact is as human beings we are pleasure-seeking, pain-avoiding creatures. It's hardwired into our being, so if you really hate something it is highly unlikely that you will stick with it over the long haul. If I had to rely on spinning as the only choice for staying in shape, I'd have traded in my running shoes for a nice pint of Chunky Monkey by now. So today, I'd like you to think about what YOU really love doing that's physical, what you look forward to doing and try to gravitate towards doing more of those kind of things. There are enough excuses not to exercise. "Because I hate it" doesn't need to be one of them. Disclaimer: The information contained in this
newsletter is not intended as a substitute for medical care. Not all exercises
are appropriate for all individuals. Please consult with your doctor before
beginning any exercise program. |
