I have not treated my body very well lately. Over the past two years, I have exercised very little, not eaten as healthy as I know I can, and drank way, way too much coffee. Furthermore, I’ve allowed a lot of anxiety and stress to seep into my bones.
Though it was my idea to quit teaching full-time to stay home with the boys and work part-time, it’s been a major adjustment for our family, budget-wise. We have also had illnesses and deaths in our families this year, and a lot of sadness in our small town and the bigger world. I’m tired. And I’m ready for 2014.
One of the easiest ways to make me feel better is exercise. We’ve been lollygagging for years about getting a gym membership, so I finally went the other day and bought one at our local gym. Last night was my second time working out, and it was wonderful.
I once loved to run. I wasn’t the fastest nor could I run the longest, but I had decent endurance, and it made me feel terrific. Last night I decided to keep running as long as needed to find my runner’s high.
I turned on my iPod and let Pink and Avril Lavigne yell in my year to pump me up. There was some major cramping and heavy breathing going on, but I continued. If I cramped significantly, I would walk and stretch at the same time to keep going. As soon as the cramp went away, I picked up the pace again.
I finally found it, the runner’s high. If you’ve ever ran, you know what I mean. I was breathing easy, my stride was consistent, and I just felt all around good. I finally stopped but only because I wanted to gab with my friend as we worked out on the elliptical machines.
Even though the holidays are fun, this time of year can be very stressful. Budgets get strained. We eat too much food. We’re overstimulated. There’s very little sunshine, and we’re miserably cold. I’ve got to do something about the way I feel, so I’m hitting the gym and hoping that helps.
My goal is to run a 5K in the early spring. I’ll keep you posted on how the workouts are going. But if you’re physically able, go and find your runner’s high. Your body and mind will thank you.
Susanna, I’ve never had a runner’s high. I, like you, have made it a point to get healthy and incorporate regular exercise and hopefully MUCH less coffee, and just get to an overall better lifestyle this year! Since this past June, I have been an avid Zumba go-er three times a week. I have also, the past 2 months incorporated two days a week of Barre classes. All of this is a great accomplishment to me, someone who knows not even the FIRST thing about exercising! I figured before I get older, and it’s more difficult, I need to make this a part of my LIFE while I can 🙂 I’ve taken much more interest lately in running, but am afraid I don’t have the best ankles and have no clue where to start! One day, I hope to experience a runner’s high. I love watching movies where maybe it’s a bit chilly out, and the runner is breathing crisp air, and just looks so at peace, almost like they are floating! 🙂 Maybe one day…
You can do it! It’s amazing. I need to get into Zumba more. When I hear how much people enjoy it, it really makes me want to take a class. I love making a workout fun and enjoyable.