I Love Physical Fitness
I work out because it keeps me sane.
Sure, I like the things it does for my body - I've lost 70 pounds so far - but the main thing that keeps me going is the way it makes me feel.
When I don't work out for awhile, I am lethargic. Apathetic. I get lazy. Life overwhelms me. I don't want to be around people.
Working out gives me energy. It gives me a drive. I've got more bounce in my step, and the time spent is worth it because I'll spend the day much more productively.
I've come a long way. 70 pounds is nothing compared with the changes I've made in my life. I've gone from someone who didn't have a job and barely left the house to someone who works full time and supports herself. I've gone from passive and depressed to confident and assertive. I've found myself again.
It's been no short journey. I didn't just wake up one day like, "I love exercise." It's been on and off. I tried going to my apartment's gym, but never made a regular habit of it because I felt anxious around other people. Then I found exercises I could do at home. I got Wii Fit, which got me to make exercise a consistent habit. I also got really into Dance Dance Revolution, which I could play for hours. I'd be tired and dripping in sweat, take a little break, and jump right in again.
I went online looking for workouts I could do at home. I found some kickboxing videos from Fitness Blender and I loved those. (I still love their workouts and programs.) I found some superhero themed bodyweight workouts on Darebee, which got me excited about strength training. At one point I wanted to be thin, but my focus shifted, and I realized I'd much rather be strong and healthy.
I started going to the gym again, but once again, anxiety about exercising around other people got the best of me and I fell out of the habit. But I eventually got back to it and started working out at home again. I bought resistance bands, and later bought adjustable dumbbells. These days I work out 5-6 days a week. I love weightlifting, HIIT, kickboxing. Sometimes I'll go out running or ride my bike. I've recently discovered I like pilates, which I wasn't expecting to. I want to get a barbell and a bench but I think I will wait until I get a house since I don't really have the space right now. (Planning on starting house-hunting later this year. My lease isn't up here until December. But I am so happy that I am at a point in my life where buying a house is something I actually have the means to do!)
I am in such a better place in my life than I used to be, and I definitely think focusing on my health and fitness played a big part in getting me where I am today. I'm by no means perfect. This winter I had some things going on in my life and I stopped working out as consistently. And I found myself feeling really down and realized I needed to get back on it. I've got another 17 pounds or so to go until I'm a healthy weight for my height, but that just feels like a tiny drop in the bucket compared to how far I've come, and I know I'll get there. At this point I'm not so concerned with the goal as I am just enjoying the lifestyle.
Sure, I like the things it does for my body - I've lost 70 pounds so far - but the main thing that keeps me going is the way it makes me feel.
When I don't work out for awhile, I am lethargic. Apathetic. I get lazy. Life overwhelms me. I don't want to be around people.
Working out gives me energy. It gives me a drive. I've got more bounce in my step, and the time spent is worth it because I'll spend the day much more productively.
I've come a long way. 70 pounds is nothing compared with the changes I've made in my life. I've gone from someone who didn't have a job and barely left the house to someone who works full time and supports herself. I've gone from passive and depressed to confident and assertive. I've found myself again.
It's been no short journey. I didn't just wake up one day like, "I love exercise." It's been on and off. I tried going to my apartment's gym, but never made a regular habit of it because I felt anxious around other people. Then I found exercises I could do at home. I got Wii Fit, which got me to make exercise a consistent habit. I also got really into Dance Dance Revolution, which I could play for hours. I'd be tired and dripping in sweat, take a little break, and jump right in again.
I went online looking for workouts I could do at home. I found some kickboxing videos from Fitness Blender and I loved those. (I still love their workouts and programs.) I found some superhero themed bodyweight workouts on Darebee, which got me excited about strength training. At one point I wanted to be thin, but my focus shifted, and I realized I'd much rather be strong and healthy.
I started going to the gym again, but once again, anxiety about exercising around other people got the best of me and I fell out of the habit. But I eventually got back to it and started working out at home again. I bought resistance bands, and later bought adjustable dumbbells. These days I work out 5-6 days a week. I love weightlifting, HIIT, kickboxing. Sometimes I'll go out running or ride my bike. I've recently discovered I like pilates, which I wasn't expecting to. I want to get a barbell and a bench but I think I will wait until I get a house since I don't really have the space right now. (Planning on starting house-hunting later this year. My lease isn't up here until December. But I am so happy that I am at a point in my life where buying a house is something I actually have the means to do!)
I am in such a better place in my life than I used to be, and I definitely think focusing on my health and fitness played a big part in getting me where I am today. I'm by no means perfect. This winter I had some things going on in my life and I stopped working out as consistently. And I found myself feeling really down and realized I needed to get back on it. I've got another 17 pounds or so to go until I'm a healthy weight for my height, but that just feels like a tiny drop in the bucket compared to how far I've come, and I know I'll get there. At this point I'm not so concerned with the goal as I am just enjoying the lifestyle.
