My Very Own Therapy

People who know me are aware that I haven't always been an avid gym-goer. They know that I've always tended to be on the pudgy side. It wasn't up until about five years ago that I decided to take control my health and weight because I was sick of it controlling me, my self-esteem, and my confidence. The result has been a growing love for exercise and eating right, not only for its cosmetic benefits, but mostly for it's therapeutic effects. Although my shape fits into the "average" category now, my health and general well-being far exceeds that, all because I began to appreciate the importance of taking care of my body.

I admit I'm not always the greatest at sticking to the ideal regimen but when I fall off the wagon for a week or two...or three...I jump back on and can immediately tell the difference. There's just something that happens inside when I get dressed, put on my shoes (which I need new ones of now that i think about it) and step outside or into the gym. There's a rush of "ahh, I can go and go and no one can interrupt me or bring me back to the real world till I'm ready." And of course, as Grace from iTrain tells me, I change my body every time I squeeze my buttocks and raise my shoulders...1, 2, 3, 4, you can do it 5, 6, 7, 8, there we go, feel it, feel it work...you're changing your body, 9, 10, 11, 12...

So, unlike in years past, I now say yes to everything and anything that will get my heart rate up, including biking, racquetball, running (which, I'll be honest, isn't my favorite), 5K's, 10K's, iTrain workouts, circuit training. Marathons are out though. I tried one and my knees will never be the same.

This August I'll be riding 33 miles around Utah Lake for this year's ULCER and doing a 10K. I know, 33 miles isn't that far really and a 10k isn't anything to celebrate but it will keep me on track this summer. In fact I better hop off the lazy wagon and start setting my alarm for 6 a.m. sessions with the gym.