Finding Exercise You Love

I would have never dreamed I would be writing anything titled Finding Exercise You Love! Working out is not my thing. If I could get through the rest of my life completely avoiding it, I would feel blessed…

However, exercise is a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle. Not only for physical health, but it is the best medicine available for my psychological health. I have been completely open about my many issues with mental illness, including manic depression and addiction. So many therapists have said the words to me, “Go for a walk when you are struggling.” This advice has always driven me crazy. In those horrifying anxious and/or depressed moments, the last thing I want to do is take a walk. But I get it. I understand why they continue to share that annoying piece of advice with me. It is the safest happy pill we can take.

Yesterday I shared the pain of trying to stay on this new food program while on the road in Too Soon to Travel. Today I want to tell you about one of the many wonderful things we did on my long weekend away. Hiking. I forgot how much I truly love to hike. Being in nature is always a great thing and sharing it with my husband and son was the icing on the cake (even if I’m not allowed cake anymore)…

My son was thrilled with the whole experience. Watching him run through the woods about to explode with excitement was priceless. He had a constant fearful anticipation of a bear sighting, but he charged on.

I have always felt so guilty about not teaching him healthy habits. It is not too late. It’s never too late actually. I’m excited to be able to share this with him. We are fortunate to have various areas to hike where we live. I plan to keep introducing aspects of a healthy lifestyle to him a little at a time. For now, my focus is to continue moving with him in nature.

One of his favorite parts of the day was crossing the creek. Of course, we had to go back this way even though there was a safe, dry road that led straight to our parked car.

I felt more alive out in those woods than I have in a very long time. I also felt out of breath and incredibly exhausted, but definitely alive…

Thanks to the government shutdown, we were practically alone in this big, beautiful park. The roads were bare due to the locked gates at all of the entrances. I’m certain we were not supposed to be in there but I couldn’t resist.

My boys:

There are so many forms of exercise to choose from. You may not like being outdoors. Plenty of workouts take place inside too. Try kickboxing, zumba, pilates, or even walking on a treadmill. If I can find something I love that requires a great deal of movement and two days of soreness after, there is hope for anyone!

If you are just joining my journey, please read the details and catch up on missed posts in 31 Days to Food Addiction Recovery.