It’s funny how much you can dread something you love. I must love kickboxing–I’ve been taking classes in it, off and on, for fourteen years. And I recommend it to so many people. Anyone who mentions wanting to get in shape and seems interested gets to hear all about my club.
But all it takes is a couple of weeks off, and I dread going back. Why? It doesn’t make any sense, but there you have it–once I’m out of the zone, I’d rather just go home than go to my club and kill myself for an hour or two.
I know I’ll feel better afterwards. I know the chronic headaches that are starting to creep back into my life will go away. My stomach will feel firmer again. I’ll be happy about not throwing away all the progress I made last year. And I’ll renew acquaintances with my fellow kickboxers, some of whom have turned into really good friends.
Why the dread, then? I don’t get it. Why would I rather curl up with a good book, hang out with The Boy, watch a movie, or enjoy a bubble bath than do something I love that is so healthy for me? It’s a mystery, but it sure makes it easier for me to understand those who struggle to exercise. Finding something you love is key, because even when you do love it, there’s going to be a lot of times when you just don’t feel like doing it.
Have you begun or renewed an exercise program this month? If so, how is it going? What are you struggling with?
Today will be my first day back at the gym since my fight in November. I’m going back for Stamina Monday, and Grant is going to kick my butt. Hopefully in the process, I’ll remember what I love about this sport, and then the next day back won’t be as hard.
I can definitely relate. I don’t love running as much as you love kickboxing, and I certainly find it hard to go back to the gym after I’ve been away a while.
Today was my first day back after a lengthy hiatus, and while it felt good, I’m already trying to think of ways to get out of going later this week. 🙂
But ultimately it’s just a means to an end. I really like the primal idea of exercise as play, but until I can get outside and runjumpclimbplay to my heart’s content, I’ll have to suck it up and go to the gym. I just have to tell myself that the results will be worth it.
I just don’t exercise at all these days, and it sucks. My own fault, of course. It’s so much easier not to, and that’s probably where you’re falling – into the easier boat. ANYTHING worth doing is hard and is often dreadful. It’s the results we crave, I think.
Now I remember why I don’t like going back–things that used to be easy now make me feel like puking. But I know it will keep getting easier if I stick with it. And it was great to see everyone again. Bonus: I had the best workout partner ever, and thankfully, I can still hold pads for him without falling over!
@ Chris – I don’t recall you runjumpplaying last summer, but if you stick with the running, it will give you more energy to do those things once the warm weather comes. 🙂 You do love running once you get back into it again…it’s just a matter of having the discipline to stick with it through the tough times.
@ Michelle – Maybe take baby steps, like going for a short walk outside, to get you moving again. I know from experience how easy it is to get sucked into sitting at the computer all day. As writers, we’re not encouraged to move nearly enough.
Have you found an exercise that you love to do? Let me know how it goes.
Thank you both so much for commenting!
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Thank you very much for your kind comment, Anonymous. Very appreciated, and I hope you return.
I hired a professional designer to modify the blog, so I can’t take the credit for the design, but I’m glad you appreciate it. 🙂