My Experience with Exercise, Health, and Wellbeing

When I was young, I was an outdoorsy, athletic kid who spent every free moment outside, digging in the dirt, climbing trees, and making messes that are so characteristic of and necessary for a child. I discovered how to dump dirt down the playset slide and separate the fine, dart particles, which stuck to the grooves of the slide, from the larger sediment. I would then collect this fine dust, mix it with water, and create 'ink'. Another classic creation of mine was the famous 'mud pie', of which my mother was not so fond. I was always climbing trees, spying on bird nests, and simply enjoying the freedom that could only be found in the high boughs. 

However, as I entered my teenage years and discovered the online world, my athletic nature faded significantly. Though still an adventurer at heart, I spent most of my time indoors and, as a result, my physical health declined. Naturally, I put on some weight and my strength was not ideal. 

That famous year, 2020, arrived and, with it, my exercise revolution. I began to struggle with the online community that I had been a part of for so long and, every day at nearly the same time, my frustrations boiled up so that I could no longer sit still. I was also not at home that entire summer, and there was a basketball hoop affixed to an old telephone pole in front of the place I was staying. 

Though not against the game, I had never been a fan of basketball, but it was really my only option that allowed me to practice by myself. I found basketballs in the basement of the house and every afternoon around 4pm, like clockwork, I closed my laptop and released my frustrations through basketball. I practiced until I was soaked with sweat. I refused to allow myself to walk after stray balls - I ran. Anger, heartache, frustration, confusion, all of it poured out in the form of relentless basketball practice. I would practice until my body could not take any more. 

That same summer, my mom, who had been a runner since she was on the cross country team in high school, finally convinced me to go running with her. I cannot imagine the patience she must have had as I held her back, each morning, from running as fast or as far as she would have liked. I was miserable at first. I couldn't even run up the small nearby hill without stopping to catch my breath. Yet, I forced myself to persevere. Every morning at 6am, my mom and my sister and I would get up and go running, before breakfast or even coffee. 

Over the course of about two months, my body transformed, and so did my mind. I breathed deeply, both literally and figuratively speaking. I began to become toned. My emotions were now being released in a healthy way, instead of being pent up inside or dumped on fake friends. 

Since that summer, I have kept up my exercise. Though basketball has a special place in heart, running became my go-to sport, primarily because I can run just about anywhere, without any special equipment. I am blessed to live less than a quarter mile from a park with a one-mile loop, and I visit it several times a week. Whenever I am stressed, frustrated, angry, hurting inside, or otherwise upset, I go for a run. 

With constant practice, pushing myself a little harder each time, determination, and God's grace, I have progressed to being able to run three miles without stopping. Essentially running a 5k, I do this thrice a week, and I have reaped huge benefits from it. My physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing have improved in ways that I can only describe as clarity. 

Now, I have had difficulty achieving this. As someone who is constantly traveling, I oftentimes struggle with having a consistent schedule, and I also understand the issue of finding oneself simply too busy to exercise. So, I have some tips for how to develop and maintain an exercise schedule:

1) Set Realistic Goals. Don't expect to be able to make your goals too soon. Rather, have an image or idea in your mind of what you'd like to accomplish, in time. Don't focus on the time. Focus on the journey. 

2) Take Advantage of Every Opportunity. If you can exercise, do it. My biggest problem is procrastination. I get up in the morning and oh...that coffee is just too enticing. Then there's the news, and breakfast. Next thing I know, the morning is passing and it's hotter outside and I've decided to wait until evening to go run. But, oh no! Evening comes and, with it, a thunderstorm! I've fallen into the trap of laziness too many times. If you have an opportunity to exercise, do it. Of course, be wise and don't exercise too hard or too often that you get hurt, but certainly take advantage of logical opportunities to exercise. 

3) Set a Schedule. Or, at least, attempt to. Have at least a guideline. Currently, I'm trying to go for a three mile run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Events will arise, conflicts will come, but at least have the framework of a schedule to work with. If something happens on Wednesday and I can't run, then I go on Thursday and Saturday, skipping Friday to leave a 'rest day' between my exercise days.

4) Love It. You can't expect to keep to an exercise regimen if you hate every moment of it. Of course, there are going to be aspects of it that you hate. I hate getting up early. I hate the sweat running into my eyes. I hate tying my hair up. However, once I get running and feel the breeze in my face and start drifting off into my classic daydreaming, I totally love it. I love getting home and looking in the mirror at my red face and sweat-soaked shirt, feeling powerful and accomplished. So, I encourage you to find a reason to love your exercise, and focus on that. Find the sport you love, one that is most reasonable for you, and make it likable. Listen to music or podcasts while you exercise. Daydream, if you're like me. 

I hope these tips help you find an exercise schedule and keep to it! Good luck, and remember that it is only through God that we are able to accomplish this! 

Isaiah 40:30-31

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

And the young men shall utterly fall,

But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.