This spring I invested in a new bike. I was feeling healthier, and I knew a few flat bike paths in St Louis that I could manage. I thought biking would be a nice addition to my lifestyle transformation. People on bikes look healthy. So I was going with the "fake it til you make it" motto and started my transition into one of those healthy looking bikers I see on the trails in the park. Advance forward to this past Sunday morning, and several of the past Sunday mornings. Sunday morning bike rides are becoming a tradition with my husband and I. We ride into the park, do about half the trail, pick one of the many beautiful scenic spots to take a water break. We chat, I do a couple of yoga poses, he finds a sturdy branch to do pull up's on and we take in the sights, sounds and feel of being outside. It's been a really nice way to start Sunday. I have noticed the path in Forest Park isn't nearly as daunting as it was the first few times I did it. It's a nice gauge for me of my own progress to be able to conquer the science center hill without wanting to quit like I use to. It feels good.
One thing I have learned about myself is that I get bored with "exercise" really easily. Going to the gym and doing the same thing over and over day in and day out is daunting to me. Changing my gym routine at this point has been equally as daunting. The learning curve in front of a room full of people is still overwhelming to me, and I use to work in physical therapy! I know a thing or two about exercise! It's on my list of things/fears to conquer. But for now I am lucky enough to have my summer gym....the outdoors. I have a gym rat routine that I try to get in and do if I feel like I am lacking a little on my physical activity. It just wakes me up a little. But for the most part I pick activities I like and I disguise my exercise. I walk A LOT. So I pick activities that involve a lot of walking. I hike. As mentioned in a previous blog, I pick places to eat that are in the neighborhood, and that have healthy choices of course, and we walk. I like to walk after dinner if we eat at home (which we do a lot more these days). I bike. I am always looking for things to do that keep my body moving.
My wonderful friend Jill added the following exercise ideas to my facebook page, facebook.com/NaturallyJulie earlier in the week.
"Summer is a time for taking the workout outside and doing things that make you happy-there is exercise in gardening, playing horseshoes, badminton, volleyball, hide and seek, tag. Take your dog for daily walks and spend playtime chasing a ball.
Do your workout in your pool, or borrow a friend's and do it together." ~Jill
It's really all about finding out what you like to do, and doing it. Physical activity should be as individual as each person. Even more important, physical activity should be enjoyable to be sustainable. I personally don't run. I have actually told people if they see me running please call 911 because someone is obviously after me. But my sister LOVES running! It is her therapy. But she is not about the biking at all. My hubby doesn't like gyms but gets up an works out in our basement almost every single day. I have another friend that is a kayak fan. I have another client/friend that is into Crossfit. (shout out Brian!) You get the picture. Adults need to play more!
Being healthy isn't about "diet " and "exercise". It is about being consistently physically active and fueling your body well. It's a lifestyle. You dont' have to adopt all of the lifestyle at once. Just start small. Do all the cliche things you hear about. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park far away. Our ancestors hunted for the meat they ate. They gathered plants, nuts and berries. We aren't designed to eat some of the "food" we are eating or the quantities we are eating, and to be so sedentary. Our ancestors worked hard for their food. I figure the least I can do is take the spot furthest away from the grocery store door :)
Exercise doesn't have to be this dreaded task. It's about finding what you love and doing it! What do you love?
ENJOY LIFE!
Woohoo!
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