I’ve learned to embrace exercise in moderation, but it took me a while to get there. Typically, being just okay at something doesn’t earn you a lot of praise. When I pop into the gym every couple of weeks, the manager, who’s an absolute gem, greets me with a smirk and says, “Great to see you again, Jamie.” I totally get it. I’m like a gym raccoon—soft around the edges, a bit of a scavenger, and while I’m not often spotted, my occasional appearances aren’t shocking. In the past, this made me feel guilty, but now? Not so much. In fact, I’ve come to realize that being a bit lax about my workouts is a sign that I’ve finally grasped the essence of fitness.
My Athletic Journey
Let me share my story. As a kid, I was pretty athletic, but during my college years, I made a deep commitment to being a smoker. Oh, how I loved it! I knew the health risks, but in the ’80s, most of my friends smoked, and it became a part of my identity. If you knew me even a little, you knew I was a smoker, and that meant I wasn’t running any miles—climbing Everest would have been easier for me!
But once I kicked the habit, I decided to take advantage of my newly clear lungs and see if I could improve my cardiovascular fitness. I signed up for a five-mile race and started training. Looking back, that first race was a disaster. I took off too quickly and had to stop before reaching the first mile, gasping for breath. I spent the rest of the race alternating between sprinting and gasping, which was torture. But crossing that finish line? Pure euphoria! I couldn’t believe I had done it.
I signed up for more races and learned to pace myself, making the miles slightly less grueling. I even picked up speed. However, there was one major issue: I still didn’t enjoy running. In fact, I kind of loathed it. So, as a reward for finishing each race, I’d give myself a “break,” which usually meant doing next to nothing until I felt sluggish enough to sign up for another race. This wasn’t a great cycle.
A New Challenge
After having kids, I thought I needed a bigger challenge to shed the baby weight, so I entered a sprint triathlon. I joined a women’s training group, bought a bike, and learned about transitioning. I even did interval training and brick workouts! On the day of the triathlon, all that effort paid off. I did surprisingly well, despite panicking during the swim, and I felt fit and strong. Who wouldn’t want that feeling? So, I signed up for another triathlon right away. But there was a catch—the next race was a year later. Without a race approaching, I slipped back into my old habits, indulging in M&M’s and potato chips, while my workout gear collected dust. Once again, I found myself back at square one come spring.
As time passed, workouts became less enjoyable. Each race highlighted not my successes but my consistent failures. The last few races I completed were fueled by sheer willpower, and when I crossed the finish line, I was just relieved it was over.
Finding Balance
Then, a couple of years ago, I stopped signing up for races altogether. I canceled my gym membership, gained 10 pounds, and resigned myself to the belief that I just wasn’t cut out to be an athlete. And you know what? That turned out to be true. I’m not an athlete. What I got wrong was thinking I had to compete and collect medals to be considered “fit.” But I don’t need that. I’m in my mid-40s and while I have a body that can keep up if I want it to, that’s not the point. My goal is to stay healthy, and that can be achieved simply by walking more, taking the stairs, and engaging in activities I truly enjoy—like yoga, leisurely walks with friends, and the occasional trip to the gym when I can.
This shift in perspective might not earn me any trophies or perfect abs, but I don’t need those. I just want to keep my body functioning well for many more years to come. It seems that doing less but with less stress is exactly the kind of workout I need.
For more insights on home insemination and fertility, check out this post from our blog, or visit Medical News Today for excellent resources on pregnancy-related topics. Remember, if you’re looking to boost fertility, Make a Mom has some great supplements to consider!
Conclusion
In summary, my journey led me to realize that fitness doesn’t have to be about competition or extremes. Embracing moderation and doing what I enjoy allows me to maintain my health without the pressure of performance.