I resisted exercise for a long time. Nobody around me was exercising. I did not have time. Exercise was boring and difficult. It triggered unpleasant high school memories. I was enduring exercise then. I certainly did not want it as part of my life.
Since then, life happened, without exercise for the most part. The result has been that at 40 I started to feel really uneasy with my body. I was not even fat, but just, well, gelatinous. So I gathered all my willpower, bought some good shoes, and hit the road.
It has been hard. Since I was in a bad shape, I could not really run. My ego refused to face the truth and insisted on pushing myself nevertheless. It was exhausting. I was wondering how long my willpower would survive.
I don’t have the answer to that question. Because in a matter of weeks (not months, weeks), I did not need willpower anymore. I actually don’t go for my health or my appearance, although these are obviously nice side effects. I run for pleasure. The moment itself has become pleasurable. Plus, running is a huge contributor to my emotionnal well being for the rest of the day.
It fights depression. It fights anxiety. It creates balance and self esteem, out of nowhere.
I work in a high pressure environment – my job has’nt always been so stressful, but the financial crisis has made it so. When I run, I actually manage to stay peaceful at work despite the pressure. When I don’t, I finish my workday in the grips of anxiety. Every time.
I see the effects of running on my waistine, but more importantly, I see the effects on my emotional balance and my happiness. Now, I don’t know what exactly is happening in my brain when I run. And scientists don’t either, apparently. But I did a bit of research and we all agree: the effects of exercise to fight depression and anxiety are amazing. They are actually comparable to medication, without unsavory side effects. So who cares how it works, really ?
Take care of yourself: get moving ! (And don’t worry: if I can, you can.)