 No dessert as good as being fit
Everyone has heard the saying: “Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.”
This mantra is supposed to motivate us to stick with our activity plan and inspire us to pass on the dessert cart. But you know what? Sometimes this just doesn’t do it for me.
Yes, I like the feel of being thin. I enjoy what I see in the mirror and shopping for new clothes. But there are moments of enjoyment I experience that are far greater than the aesthetic joy I get from my weight loss. These moments are those when I feel “fit.” I feel strong and able and healthy. These are the moments when I remember why I work so hard. They are the moments I hold onto when I’m tempted by coconut crème pie, or I’m tired and I don’t feel like going to the gym. I recently experienced one of these moments and I’d like to share it with you in the hope that it will inspire you to find something in your own life that gives you this “fit” feeling.
Over the years I tried and tried to get into a healthy lifestyle habit.
On several of these occasions, I decided that I’d start riding a bike around the neighborhood. Just a simple activity, after all, children do it all the time. And supposedly you never forget how, right? Well, the mind, as they say, was certainly willing, it didn’t forget how, but the body, well that was another story entirely. Several times throughout the years, I’d get that bug and talk my husband, Steven, into going for a ride with me. And off we would go. Or at least, off he would go. I would trail behind, huffing and puffing, desperately trying to keep up. By 15 minutes into the ride I’d begin asking him how far we were going and when would we be turning back to go home. Heading into any wind, no matter how gentle was as hard as trying to pedal up the side of a mountain.
But a lot has changed since those days. This fall, as the weather cooled, we decided to give it another go. In September we bought bicycles. Oh what fun! I still cannot believe how much I am enjoying this activity. It doesn’t even feel like exercise; it’s like going outside to play. We ride for an hour or two and when we get home, I’m ready to go again.
During our first ride, I commented to Steven how fun and easy it was and that it didn’t even feel like work. I asked him if this was how it always was for him and he said yes, it was never hard work, just enjoyable. Our bike rides have become the highlight of our week. It’s quality time together for us, it’s uplifting and energizing being out in the sunshine – there are so many benefits.
So, the next time you are tempted or tired, I hope you will remember my bicycle story. Perhaps instead of focusing on getting thin, you can focus on getting fit, because I can truly testify that “Nothing tastes as good as being fit feels.”
Until next time, stay healthy and be happy. |
