Thursday Readings: Do your workouts feel like a chore?
Exercising makes me happy. [I know I’m not surprising anyone with that statement.]
A workout makes me feel complete and relaxed, and to be honest, without it, I’m not very pleasant company …but I realize to some of you, workouts are a means to an end. A weight loss goal, a check mark off of the daily to do list, and something that just needs to be done.
I challenge you to take a moment during your workout. Think about why you do it, and what makes you happy. I bet it’s more than the fact that “it’s good for me” and “I know I need to do it”. You enjoy it, even if its subconsciously.
Of course a PR will make you dance (even if just in your head), but how about the sheer action of moving around away from a desk or a car, swinging on a pullup bar like a kid, and getting your “me time” to be selfish for an hour and focus on yourself? How about the feeling of standing up with a heavy weight on your back, or the sensation of breathing hard and shaking off the day? These are all moments you should take in and enjoy. Yes, its exercise, but its so much more.
One of my favorite ways to explore a new city on vacation is to run. Yes, running is exercise, but the sheer idea of running around early in the morning in a new location- and exploring it all to your self is invigorating. I recently shared this secret with Razi – who took my advice and explored the streets of Germany on a recent business trip. To his surprise, “running” wasn’t too bad!
“The key, I think, is finding immediate value in the activity rather than relying on some far off goal, like weight loss, to motivate you.” – Mark’s Daily Apple
WOD: HPC / Bar facing burpees / DL / Sprint ; Bar facing burpees / HPC