So during my three month or so hiatus I decided the best hobby for me to pick up was running. Yes, you all read that correctly. I, your masterful blog author, run on a regular basis. I put on my sneakers and shorts and chunky sports bra and take off as gracefully as a fat Canadian goose from its fluffy perch on some small pond. What an image, right? Picturesque. I'm a very slow runner and I loose breath fairly quickly. My mile is laughably slow, a total of 12:37 seconds the last I checked. And that my friends is faster than when I first started.
And boy, does that 12:37 make me the happiest, proudest woman ever. I even started to detail my running exploits on twitter. Yes, I have a twitter. Feel free to follow me and catch the latest updates to my running adventures. and my normal everyday geek. There is much geek. Here you are:
Twitter
Yup, anyway, back to the original thought process here. I started running as a method of stress relief. I have had so much craziness in my life, that getting out after work and just going for a run has been done amazing things for my mental and physical health. I didn't start running to loose weight, which is the immediate response I receive from people. As soon as I mention that I started running, the usual follow up is "But why? You look great! You aren't fat at all! You don't need to exercise", "Wow, that's great to see you're finally looking to manage your weight" or something along those lines.
Well, to begin, I don't need your validation about my body. I like my body the way it is. And just because I go out for a run doesn't automatically mean I'm trying to control weight or have a firmer body or whatever it is about slim bodies that our current society deems desirable. Even if I was running for weight loss, that does not give you the right to comment on my weight, body, style, or whatever. It does not matter. Don't comment on my body. I do enough commenting for you, me, and the whole block. Keep your thoughts to yourself. I appreciate your praise, but it's not okay to ever say something about someone else's physical form. It can get messy, especially if you don't really know how that persons feels about it themselves. So the better question to ask is more along the lines of "how fast is your mile?" or "where do you go running?" ta-da, safe topics, and ones the newly inducted runner will probably have a more enjoyable time talking about.
Second, exercise isn't always about controlling the way your body looks. Sometimes its about how it makes you feel. When I run, I feel so much better afterwards. It has this way of clearing my head and as my muscles begin to ache, my energy depletes, so does the anger and sadness and frustration. I feel better internally as well as externally. It makes me feel whole, relaxed, less stressed, and stronger. And sweaty. I do feel very sweaty but that's besides the point.
It comes down to the notion that what I do for myself isn't for the well-being and pleasure for others. I do things because I like them, whether that's to make myself look really pretty or because I need some stress relief. Running gives me that relief. It helps me maintain a healthy physical body as well keeping my mental health in line. It makes me happy and that's all that matters. I may run twice a week or five times a week, it depends. Running is a happy time for me. To some it is a lifestyle, but to me it was a hobby of mine. When I feel that I need it, it's there for me. My smelly running shoes will not walk off on their own. I mean no one can fit into them but me anyway (size 5 does have its perks).
So, I like to run. I don't love to run. But I do love the way it helps me feel, how it helps me feel stronger and feel that I can persevere even if it is only one minute less than last night. I push myself and my limits, and I find more about myself when I run. It's a wonderful feeling to have. It's a simple way to explore my neighborhood and well, I do get some witty Twitter posts from it too. Don't worry, I am not turning into a complete fitness groupie, or even a running one for that matter. It gives me a goal and a better feeling about myself. I say let's keep it, even if does track mud into the apartment.
The lesson today folks: do what makes you feel better. Give yourself some goals. Don't ever do things to make others happy, because in the end, you need to come first. Unless its a turtle. Always stop and help the turtle cross the street.
And boy, does that 12:37 make me the happiest, proudest woman ever. I even started to detail my running exploits on twitter. Yes, I have a twitter. Feel free to follow me and catch the latest updates to my running adventures. and my normal everyday geek. There is much geek. Here you are:
Yup, anyway, back to the original thought process here. I started running as a method of stress relief. I have had so much craziness in my life, that getting out after work and just going for a run has been done amazing things for my mental and physical health. I didn't start running to loose weight, which is the immediate response I receive from people. As soon as I mention that I started running, the usual follow up is "But why? You look great! You aren't fat at all! You don't need to exercise", "Wow, that's great to see you're finally looking to manage your weight" or something along those lines.
Well, to begin, I don't need your validation about my body. I like my body the way it is. And just because I go out for a run doesn't automatically mean I'm trying to control weight or have a firmer body or whatever it is about slim bodies that our current society deems desirable. Even if I was running for weight loss, that does not give you the right to comment on my weight, body, style, or whatever. It does not matter. Don't comment on my body. I do enough commenting for you, me, and the whole block. Keep your thoughts to yourself. I appreciate your praise, but it's not okay to ever say something about someone else's physical form. It can get messy, especially if you don't really know how that persons feels about it themselves. So the better question to ask is more along the lines of "how fast is your mile?" or "where do you go running?" ta-da, safe topics, and ones the newly inducted runner will probably have a more enjoyable time talking about.
Second, exercise isn't always about controlling the way your body looks. Sometimes its about how it makes you feel. When I run, I feel so much better afterwards. It has this way of clearing my head and as my muscles begin to ache, my energy depletes, so does the anger and sadness and frustration. I feel better internally as well as externally. It makes me feel whole, relaxed, less stressed, and stronger. And sweaty. I do feel very sweaty but that's besides the point.
It comes down to the notion that what I do for myself isn't for the well-being and pleasure for others. I do things because I like them, whether that's to make myself look really pretty or because I need some stress relief. Running gives me that relief. It helps me maintain a healthy physical body as well keeping my mental health in line. It makes me happy and that's all that matters. I may run twice a week or five times a week, it depends. Running is a happy time for me. To some it is a lifestyle, but to me it was a hobby of mine. When I feel that I need it, it's there for me. My smelly running shoes will not walk off on their own. I mean no one can fit into them but me anyway (size 5 does have its perks).
So, I like to run. I don't love to run. But I do love the way it helps me feel, how it helps me feel stronger and feel that I can persevere even if it is only one minute less than last night. I push myself and my limits, and I find more about myself when I run. It's a wonderful feeling to have. It's a simple way to explore my neighborhood and well, I do get some witty Twitter posts from it too. Don't worry, I am not turning into a complete fitness groupie, or even a running one for that matter. It gives me a goal and a better feeling about myself. I say let's keep it, even if does track mud into the apartment.
The lesson today folks: do what makes you feel better. Give yourself some goals. Don't ever do things to make others happy, because in the end, you need to come first. Unless its a turtle. Always stop and help the turtle cross the street.
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