Tonight, after work, I went to the Y and had yet another amazing workout with Kathy. I reached a new achievement today; I made it 20 minutes on the elliptical! I didn't go super fast or even push the level past one, but I kept going steady for 20 minutes. I was so excited about that accomplishment...and I swear the more I sweat the happier I get. We also did some weights and stretching, which I feel just adds extra power to my workouts.
After my workout at the Y, I gathered my two little cutie pies from the child care room (which they love, which helps immensely with detaching my 3 year old from my leg for an hour each day!) and quickly headed home.
See, at my house right now, I'm leading a Bible Study called Made to Crave. This book is written by an amazing author, Lysa TerKeurst and is written in a very candid and real language. It's all about how we often misplace our craving, which should be directed toward God, towards food. There is not an aspect of weight loss she doesn't cover in this book. It's been life changing for me. Tonight, we had the privilege of reviewing a chapter called, "But Exercise Makes Me Want to Cry."
Now, as I have already mentioned, I love exercise. But, as much as I love it, there are some days that I still feel unmotivated and sluggish. The author encourages us to make an actual pro and con list of the benefits and hardships of exercise. I thought that would be a great thing for me (and you!) to do for those days when we just need that extra push to get off the couch and on the elliptical.
Hardships
1. Sometimes it is hard to squeeze into my schedule (however, I will say that usually it is my priorities that are an issue, and not the time itself.)
2. Sometimes babysitting isn't available. (These times I can remind myself that I do not necessarily have to be at the Y for a great workout...I have a small collection of workout DVD's, handweights, resistance bands, a kettle bell, a weighted ball and an exercise ball at home..not to mention my outdoor bike, kids to play with, and feet to walk me around town!)
3. It hurts. (What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger right?)
So, I guess my hardships don't really stand a chance, now do they?
Here are some benefits for me personally with exercise...
1. Exercise helps me ward of anxiety attacks. (This is a huge one in my life right now.)
2. I sleep better at night.
3. Oddly enough, I feel energized after a workout.
4. I get to chat with Kathy at the Y when I'm working out. I also get to meet lots of people, which is awesome!
5. I become tougher.
6. I become smaller.
7. I become healthier.
8. I feel more confident.
9. I love learning new things and then being able to teach them to other people.
10. Exercise helps me control my blood sugar levels and hopefully will help me raise my good cholesterol number.
11. There is just something about hitting a new goal with exercise that makes me feel completely empowered.
12. Right now, in this particular time in my life, exercise is "me" time.
13. When I exercise, my eating habits are generally better.
14. All those magazine articles are proven true...my mood really does boost!
These are just some that I was able to think of in less than three minutes! I bet I could list 100 benefits and pros of exercise if I continued to think for an hour or so. Obviously, the benefits are beyond greater than my non-justfiable hardships. I don't know if as a blog writer I'm allowed to assign you homework, but I'm going to take a chance and do just that! I really encourage you to make your own list. Just in that little exercise I felt like I never wanted to miss a workout ever again. We can read articles and blogs over and over, but there is something about reading you own words that remind you that YOU think exercise is a good idea and that YOU need to be there too! :)
Hope to see you at the Y! If you see me, feel free to stop and say hi!
Love,
Sarah
Hope to see you at the Y! If you see me, feel free to stop and say hi!
Love,
Sarah
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