My eyes were watering. My chest was burning.
My throat was filling up with phlegm as I spluttered and struggled to breathe.
"I HATE everything about this...." is all I could think.
I was jogging for the first time in years, because someone had mentioned how important cardio is and I knew I'd been neglecting it. Only I found no joy in it.
I was running for some vague and arbitrary goal like fitness.
There was no pleasure in my running - only pain.
I wonder if you've ever had a similar experience? Maybe the thought of exercise or getting up and moving feels like "Ugh..."
For a lot of people, exercise can feel like a chore, a grueling task we “have to” complete.We know it's "good for us," but it feels like so much effort and discomfort.
But what if we shifted our perspective? What if we saw movement not as a punishment but as a gift? Not something we "have to" do, but something we “get to” do?
Is that possible? Is it possible to find joy in exercise? To look forward to it?
To find pleasure in it?
I'm convinced it's possible, and all it takes is a switch in perspective.
Here's what I mean.
The Reality of Our Bodies
It’s a sobering thought, but eventually, our bodies will wear out.
There will come a day when running, jumping, and even walking might no longer be possible for you. I mean, really think about it. Visualize it. Put yourself there. Imagine what it will feel like when that day comes.
Thinking about this inevitability helps us appreciate what our bodies can do today.
Our bodies, while resilient and strong, are also finite. They age, they change, and sometimes they break down.
But that day is not today. Today you're alive. Today you're breathing. Right now, if you can move, you’re blessed with a powerful gift.
Movement is a privilege not a punishment.
Exercise isn't about punishing our bodies, or punishing ourselves because we ate poorly. Instead, start to see that movement is a celebration of what your body can do.
Each run, jump, and stretch is a testament to the incredible design of our physical form.
Movement is a joy, a way to connect with our bodies and the world around us.
Think about the simple joy of feeling the wind on your face during a run, the satisfaction of a good stretch, or even the feeling of using your muscles to lift a heavy weight.
Your body is a gift.
Movement itself is a gift and it is integral to the human experience. It’s part of the joy of being an embodied creature, part of what it means to be a good steward of the bodies God gave us.
Maybe you're not sold yet.
Here are a few ways you can start seeing exercise as a gift:
1. Gratitude
Begin each workout with a moment of gratitude. Acknowledge what your body can do today. Thank it for its strength, its resilience, and its ability to move.
2. Mindfulness
Practice mindfulness during your workouts. Pay attention to how your body feels, how your muscles contract and relax, and how your breath flows. This awareness can transform exercise into a meditative, joyful practice.
3. Variety and Fun
Mix up your routine to keep things exciting. Find forms of movement that you would do for their own sake, not just to burn calories or "get fit."
Maybe running on a treadmill is completely uninspiring to you. What about trail running? Or mountain biking? Or rowing? Or tennis? Or swimming? Think outside the box a little, and see if you can smuggle your cardio into an activity you already enjoy!
When you find joy in the movement, it stops being a chore.
4. Community
Engage with a community of like-minded individuals. Whether it’s a running club, a dance class, or a hiking group, sharing the experience with others is often way more fun than solo activities.
Which sounds more fun to you? Running for 45 minutes on a treadmill? Or going for a hike with a friend?
Remember, there will come a day when you might not be able to move as freely as you can now.
Embrace the gift of today, and see each moment of movement as a celebration of life.
Exercise is not just about fitness; it’s about living fully and joyfully in the body you have been given. It's your body after all, and you're stuck with it.
Might as well treat it like a friend.
If you want to make this switch and start falling in love with movement, you should sign up for our next H40 sprint. It's a 40-day guided sprint to better health, and it's done in a community with other like-minded health seekers.
Our next sprint starts on July 15th, but the wait list is open now, so go jump on the waitlist and I'll see you there!
Live Free,
Greg
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