Most people would assume that I'm talking about anger when discussing having a red face. But this picture should say it all. This is after a good run that was exhausting. When I first started working out in June 2013, that was the first benefit I noticed to working out...I was calmer. Who can stress when they're that tired?? Lol.
I'm sure we all know that a lot of research has been done on the correlation between exercise and mental and emotional health, but this article indicates that many doctors and psychologists do not include exercise as part of their treatment planning. As a future counselor, I am now learning how exercising 3-6 times per week can help aid in depression management, good sleep habits, emotional stability, and release from anxiety. It is it's own high. A mood-altering endorphin rush that leaves you relaxed the rest of the day. Seriously...if you start, you will want more.
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/12/exercise.aspx
For me, it's about stability in everything. I don't like crying one day, and being ecstatic the next. As my life continues to even out, my choice to focus on working out has been a good one. Challenging...but good. I trust God to give me the inner strength that I need to pursue this goal as well as others that I am working on now and in the future. No matter your reasons for working out and working on living a more healthy lifestyle, kudos. I challenge everyone who reads this to think about their emotional and mental stability and consider stepping on a treadmill to get your heart racing and your mind relaxed. God bless.
Change is hard. There are no two ways about it. It sucks sometimes...but over the past nearly 2 years, I've had a lot of change in my life, part out of necessity, part out of survival, some of choice, and some of circumstance.
Now...I will change again. I will be 30 in April 2014. Not old...but not young anymore either. Over the next 1 or 2 years, there will be many bumps and challenges. But I want more for myself. I want everything.
I want to be able to go hiking and not become sore all over within 2 minutes. I want to see Europe and go all day walking without having issues with my knees and ankles. I want to wear whatever style of clothing that I want. I want to gain more confidence and feel secure in myself and my body.
I will find ways to accomplish this with the help of family and friends. I will find motivation when it gets tough. I will trust God and dig deep because it is important to me. Even now, having toyed around with working out and eating different for the past 6 months, I can go up a flight of stairs without getting winded. I went from a 21 minute mile down to 16. ME! I did that and it feels incredible :-D
God bless to all of my family and friends who watch and cheer me on in this new and difficult journey.
