Running the Race...with ourselves :)

November 9, 2010

                I like to work out. There I said it. The apartment complex that we live at has a small gym in the main building. Not all the equipment always works but at least its close by and a place inside. When Mike was in Iraq for 6 ½ months, I spent most of my waking hours in this gym. Working out makes me feel like nothing else matters but the intense burning and agony I feel at the exact moment of pushing my body to the maximum intensity it can sustain. I feel more alive than ever, using my body to its fullest capacity in physical activities. Of course its good for everyone to get in some kind of exercise during the week, no matter if its for losing weight or getting buff, or even for your own mental stability. For me, my goal is to feel better and go for my own mental stability. I notice when I don’t workout, I’m more irritable and think more negatively. Whether it is completely medically correct, I know how it affects me. Working out is something we all can do. Whether we like it or not, there is always something for everyone to do. Yoga is harder than I thought, but the latest craze is Zumba. There’s running, and lifting weights, and bike riding, and walking. Mike likes to do things fun that involve using your body instead of actually “working out”, like skateboarding or climbing or hiking. I like to do some of those things as well but you can also find me in the gym as well. Mike is in the gym because the military forces him to, whether he enjoys it or not. He may not go to the gym a lot but he is definitely in shape because of the extra recreational activities he enjoys. He did run more in Iraq than he does here, but it may have been from a lack of other activities to engage in.  Any bit of movement is good for everyone. I didn’t learn that and cherish it until just a couple of years ago. My family happened to be big on the eating part and not so much of the active part, not that we ate healthy. The greatest thing I learned from my family is also our curse because good food attracts the Bays. So running makes me feel like I have an escape. Its not easy and I sweat too much and I feel like I am going to die every time I run, but it makes me feel better about myself. When my head to my toes is covered in sweat and all of my muscles feel suffocated, I can hold my head high walking out of the gym back to my apartment. And today was extra special because it was snowing when I walked home. Even in a tank top and thin pants, it was very much welcomed.