If I skip my jog for a few days, I start feeling restless and irritable. My husband and kids can sense it too. You’ll find me pacing around the kitchen, grumbling, and venting until someone practically shoves my sneakers at me, saying, “Go! We need you back to your cheerful self!”
I began taking long, invigorating walks as a teenager to cope with a challenging phase filled with anxiety and panic attacks. Exercising was practically prescribed by my doctor. Venturing outside helped clear my mind, allowing me to sort through my thoughts and let them drift away. The endorphins did their magic as well, lifting my spirits. While exercise is just one part of my strategy to manage anxiety (which can be relentless no matter how much effort I put in), it remains a crucial component of my overall wellness.
For over two decades, I’ve made exercise a regular part of my life. While it undoubtedly keeps both my mind and body fit, achieving a slim figure has never been my main focus—or at least not anymore. In my pre-kid years, I was more fixated on having an ideal physique, sometimes to an obsessive degree. However, becoming a mother and maturing has shifted my priorities. Women in my family are naturally curvaceous—skinny was never meant to be my path. The few times I neared that ideal were only because I was either undereating or over-exercising—not for enjoyment, but in pursuit of an unattainable body type.
Now, my primary goals are happiness, health, and maintaining my sanity. I work out to manage the stress of being my kids’ primary caregiver and to keep up with them as they dash around. I want to enjoy a long life and be an active grandmother someday (fingers crossed!).
Not long after my second child was born, I started dreaming about running. I had never considered myself a runner; I was always a walker. In my dreams, I was flying, running free, and it felt liberating. Inspired, I purchased a jogging stroller and gave running a try. Initially, I could barely make it a few blocks without feeling like I was going to lose my lunch. I alternated between walking and running, but within a couple of months, I was primarily running. Once my baby grew a little older, I began running without him.
Admittedly, I thought transitioning from walking to running would help me shed those last stubborn pounds of baby weight that had lingered since my first child came along nearly ten years ago. That didn’t really happen (those pounds seem to have claimed residence). However, simply trying something I never thought I could do has been rewarding and incredibly helpful in managing my ongoing battle with anxiety.
Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, I lace up my shoes and hit the pavement, repeating, “I can do this, I can do this” in my mind. It might sound cheesy (especially sharing it here), but running serves as a powerful metaphor for life and overcoming challenges.
I’m thankful that my family recognizes my need for those runs a few times a week. When I return, my kids immediately notice the joy and calm that have crept back into my demeanor. They swarm me with affection, completely unfazed by the fact that I’m drenched in sweat. Plus, a delightful side effect of my jogs is that they practically guarantee I’ll take a shower—no excuses left. And since my kids understand the importance of allowing “Mommy to exercise so she doesn’t lose her cool,” they mostly respect my post-workout shower time.
A peaceful, long shower? That might just be the best reason of all to make time for exercise.
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In summary, my journey through exercise has transformed from a focus on appearance to a vital tool for mental well-being. It’s about finding balance, joy, and sanity amidst the chaos of parenting.