Worth it.
This morning I did 20 push-ups. Yes, my knees were on the ground, but at the beginning of the summer I could only do 9. And those 20 this morning were after an entire 30 minute arm workout with free weights. While it may be a small feat, I was quite happy.
It's little moments like that this summer that remind me that I can do things I didn't think I could. And that is half the battle in any type of fitness.
Going to physical therapy and looking for new ways to strengthen by body has been so motivating. Mostly, I don't want my feet to hurt for the rest of my life and that is pretty good motivation enough but I've found some interesting truths along the way as well that motivate me.
I am happier when I exercise.
I am more confident when I exercise.
I see God when I exercise.
I realize I am capable of much more than I let myself do or think I can do.
That's been the most fun and surprising one. I am able. I can do it.
I think what has mostly held me back is fear. Fear in different forms. I mostly haven't been a big exerciser after college because tennis was my sport and occasionally I would run and mostly I would just walk all over campus. Well with plantar fasciitis, both tennis and running went out the window. (Except let's be real too- I only would run like every 2 weeks and never passed 2 miles in my life). So there was always this fear of hurting my feet more with exercise. We walk the dogs and hike sometimes and I do yard work, but I never really push myself.
I have known there are other ways to exercise, but I see now that I had fears about it. So may questions about where to start, how to start, how to learn new things.
Take the gym for example- there was mostly a fear of well... looking clueless, not being able to lift like any weight at all compared to people in there, and having no idea how to work a single machine in the room.
At the beginning of the summer I signed up for a "Summer Splash Membership" at our local rec center. Mostly because I wanted to take classes there. Last year, I got into Pilates and love the entire philosophy behind it. So during the school year I had actually made time for pilates each morning getting up 30 minutes early. I have learned how much I love starting off my day with exercise and as school starts up this year I am going to make it a priority to find time for my body. I wanted to take actual Pilates classes. I discovered that classes push me way more than I pushed myself at home. When the instructor says 8 more and the lady laying on the mat next to you is twice your age and still pushing through- you just simply can't give up. Each time I went to the rec center I would look at the big intimidating machines in gym and think "How in the world do people know what to do in there?"
A friend from school who also signed up for the membership saw they had a free orientation for the weight room. So we did it together. And I discovered that I can do it. I don't have to be intimated or feel like an idiot. Yes, I lift WAY less than most people in there... even the seventy year olds, but whatever. I keep telling myself everyone had to start somewhere. And I am not trying to impress anyone. I am trying to get stronger simply for my own good and to be good to my own body.
The other day my friend and I tried a water fitness class. It was us two and about 25 other adults over seventy. It was great. And quite a workout. If you did everything the instructor asked (which most didn't do it to it's max intensity) it was a pretty dang good workout.
I LOVE water. I mean love. Every time I look at that pool or get in the pool I think- "I wish I could learn to swim better. But if I did laps I wouldn't even know where to start. Only kids take swim lessons. How does a 26 year old learn how to swim better?" I got out of the water yesterday and realized I could learn to swim if I wanted. I could ask a friend or heck even pay for a 30 minute lesson to help with technique. What was stopping me really?
I want swim because it has NO impact on the feet. I don't have to worry about what shoes to wear. Oh it looks so free and beautiful when people swim. But I never did swim team or anything. I can float, doggie paddle, and free style enough that I can get where I want to do if it's a short distance... but swim for exercise?... I need help.
Last night, a friend from house church said she could teach me and I am taking her up on it. I am going to swim. I am going to buy googles and a swim suit. (Because I also learned that looking the part is sometimes half the mental battle).
As school approaches I am committed to continuing to exercise. Today as I thought about how God made our bodies to do such wonderful things and to really work and bend and move and grow and get stronger I just thought I AM WORTHY.
My body is worth taking care of.
My soul is worth taking care of.
My mind is worth taking care of.
My spirit is worth taking care of.
BECAUSE
He created me.
He died for me.
His Spirit lives in me.
I don't think we take enough time in our culture to push ourselves and challenge ourselves in healthy ways. There are probably a variety of reasons for it. I have learned that pushing past a lot of fear and believing I am worth it is how I personally am getting there.
Aaron and I have been calling this coming year our "Year of Sabbath." In some ways, I know God is going to draw us really close to him and teach us who we are in Him. It sounds so basic, but it's such a hard concept to live by. I keep being challenged to do things that really stretch me and challenge my pride and who I think I am. It's great (most of the time). I am falling more in love with God each day and I don't want to trade any of these challenges because of that.... even if it meant that having plantar fasciitis for three years would push me into embracing fitness and challenging myself in new physical ways.
Maybe one day I'll do a triathlon. Okay... I won't too get carried away here. I'll stick with the swim suit and goggles for now :)
It's little moments like that this summer that remind me that I can do things I didn't think I could. And that is half the battle in any type of fitness.
Going to physical therapy and looking for new ways to strengthen by body has been so motivating. Mostly, I don't want my feet to hurt for the rest of my life and that is pretty good motivation enough but I've found some interesting truths along the way as well that motivate me.
I am happier when I exercise.
I am more confident when I exercise.
I see God when I exercise.
I realize I am capable of much more than I let myself do or think I can do.
That's been the most fun and surprising one. I am able. I can do it.
I think what has mostly held me back is fear. Fear in different forms. I mostly haven't been a big exerciser after college because tennis was my sport and occasionally I would run and mostly I would just walk all over campus. Well with plantar fasciitis, both tennis and running went out the window. (Except let's be real too- I only would run like every 2 weeks and never passed 2 miles in my life). So there was always this fear of hurting my feet more with exercise. We walk the dogs and hike sometimes and I do yard work, but I never really push myself.
I have known there are other ways to exercise, but I see now that I had fears about it. So may questions about where to start, how to start, how to learn new things.
Take the gym for example- there was mostly a fear of well... looking clueless, not being able to lift like any weight at all compared to people in there, and having no idea how to work a single machine in the room.
At the beginning of the summer I signed up for a "Summer Splash Membership" at our local rec center. Mostly because I wanted to take classes there. Last year, I got into Pilates and love the entire philosophy behind it. So during the school year I had actually made time for pilates each morning getting up 30 minutes early. I have learned how much I love starting off my day with exercise and as school starts up this year I am going to make it a priority to find time for my body. I wanted to take actual Pilates classes. I discovered that classes push me way more than I pushed myself at home. When the instructor says 8 more and the lady laying on the mat next to you is twice your age and still pushing through- you just simply can't give up. Each time I went to the rec center I would look at the big intimidating machines in gym and think "How in the world do people know what to do in there?"
A friend from school who also signed up for the membership saw they had a free orientation for the weight room. So we did it together. And I discovered that I can do it. I don't have to be intimated or feel like an idiot. Yes, I lift WAY less than most people in there... even the seventy year olds, but whatever. I keep telling myself everyone had to start somewhere. And I am not trying to impress anyone. I am trying to get stronger simply for my own good and to be good to my own body.
The other day my friend and I tried a water fitness class. It was us two and about 25 other adults over seventy. It was great. And quite a workout. If you did everything the instructor asked (which most didn't do it to it's max intensity) it was a pretty dang good workout.
I LOVE water. I mean love. Every time I look at that pool or get in the pool I think- "I wish I could learn to swim better. But if I did laps I wouldn't even know where to start. Only kids take swim lessons. How does a 26 year old learn how to swim better?" I got out of the water yesterday and realized I could learn to swim if I wanted. I could ask a friend or heck even pay for a 30 minute lesson to help with technique. What was stopping me really?
I want swim because it has NO impact on the feet. I don't have to worry about what shoes to wear. Oh it looks so free and beautiful when people swim. But I never did swim team or anything. I can float, doggie paddle, and free style enough that I can get where I want to do if it's a short distance... but swim for exercise?... I need help.
Last night, a friend from house church said she could teach me and I am taking her up on it. I am going to swim. I am going to buy googles and a swim suit. (Because I also learned that looking the part is sometimes half the mental battle).
As school approaches I am committed to continuing to exercise. Today as I thought about how God made our bodies to do such wonderful things and to really work and bend and move and grow and get stronger I just thought I AM WORTHY.
My body is worth taking care of.
My soul is worth taking care of.
My mind is worth taking care of.
My spirit is worth taking care of.
BECAUSE
He created me.
He died for me.
His Spirit lives in me.
I don't think we take enough time in our culture to push ourselves and challenge ourselves in healthy ways. There are probably a variety of reasons for it. I have learned that pushing past a lot of fear and believing I am worth it is how I personally am getting there.
Aaron and I have been calling this coming year our "Year of Sabbath." In some ways, I know God is going to draw us really close to him and teach us who we are in Him. It sounds so basic, but it's such a hard concept to live by. I keep being challenged to do things that really stretch me and challenge my pride and who I think I am. It's great (most of the time). I am falling more in love with God each day and I don't want to trade any of these challenges because of that.... even if it meant that having plantar fasciitis for three years would push me into embracing fitness and challenging myself in new physical ways.
Maybe one day I'll do a triathlon. Okay... I won't too get carried away here. I'll stick with the swim suit and goggles for now :)
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