Move to Your Groove
There are so many proddings for us to exercise. We all know we should. I could list the benefits you’ve heard a thousand times but it’s easier to say every part of you benefits, including your brain. Research shows that exercise is a natural antidepressant. So just do it. Right? If you’re the type who actually likes to exercise, no problem. “I’m out the door, on a run, off to the gym, climbing a wall, playing [insert sport].” Ugh. Those who groan at the thought of exercise may chafe at your enviable goodness and wish they had been given the exercise gene. To them, may I suggest trying to find your playful ingredient? If you find just one activity that you enjoy (I’m not even going to call it exercise), one thing that you could look forward to, that’s your secret sauce of enticement.
If you live with “I know I should but I just can’t make myself,” maybe start with something gentle. Qigong would be a perfect first step. Tai Chi would be a natural progression when you’re ready. And who knows? You might then move on to yoga or pilates. Or not. If not, then at least you’ll be moving your body with these first steps. This site has some pretty good information about the differences between Tai Chi and Qigong. When you’ve digested that, a search of those terms on YouTube will give you a lot of video options to guide you through the moves. Bonus point: Unlike going for a walk, you don’t have to get dressed for them. You can do them in your jammies (or your skivvies if that’s your thing). Still feeling meh about movement? How about dancing? At home with your playlist, the “like nobody’s watching” kind counts!
If these thoughts are too intimidating, remember that all movement counts. Do heel lifts while brushing your teeth, squats before sitting in a chair, on the spot jogging while waiting for the microwave. You get the idea.
Finally, you could make a pact to only watch your favorite show while you are doing some kind of exercise. Something as simple as watching while lifting weights at your own pace would be an impressive start.
Since we’re on the topic of moving to your groove, here’s a little poem about bicycling that might excite your erythrocytes. Even the pleasure of a picturesque car ride couldn’t match the rapture of a bicyclist on a peaceful road. Not even close.
Ecstasy
She has the most glorious commute to work
on a winding country road. That alone
is bliss. But beyond this, on
one sunlit morning, she passed a cyclist,
bare chested on his steed.
He was gliding, head thrown back,
arms outstretched like a running child,
gathering all
the light of day,
the rush of air,
the ecstasy of gratitude.
He was gossamer catching every
microscopic morsel of the moment:
Breathless, shirtless, wind-kissed ecstasy.
Whew. Spicy.
Runner’s high ain’t just for runners. :-)
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