To outside observers, committed exercisers can sometimes seem single-minded, excessive, even obsessive. Those who don't work out regularly or eat specifically to support and compliment a more active or athletic lifestyle simply don't often understand what makes these folks tick.
The answer is that truly dedicated exercisers have usually integrated the idea of being fit into their very identity.
It's not just that we enjoy feeling and looking better than we would otherwise (although we do.) It's not just that being more physically robust makes us feel as though we're getting more out of life than we would if we didn't stay fit. It's simply become part of who we are. No different than how people associate a sense of identity with their careers, their roles as parents or their positions in their families and circle of friends.
It's simply a part of who we are.
And that's the leap of faith one takes when beginning an exercise program and a more healthful eating approach, at least when they're just starting out. But staying with it pays dividends beyond your imagination.
Swimming laps at 6:00am doesn't just make us healthier and feel younger. Choosing veggies and fruits over processed packaged food and soda doesn't just keep excess fat off of our middle. These decisions help write the story of who we are - every day, a page at a time.
*********
"Every decision you make stems from what you think you are, and represents the value that you put on yourself." - ACIM
No comments:
Post a Comment