I remember running fast and free as a child – often down a hill or across my grandparent’s expansive back yard. Imagine arms open wide, hair trailing, mouth wide open in a giggle. Running used to be something that I just did with abandon. There was no thought.
Now, however, running (exercising in general) is more like a production. I have to first get myself psyched up for the “task” at hand. Then there is the appropriate attire, especially when it comes to the right shoes. I also wear my heart rate monitor and that contraption includes a chest strap and watch. I have problems with my knee, so I have to remember to strap on my patellar knee brace. My husband refers to all of those things as my hardware. It gets worse though. If I'm running alone or at the gym, I also strap on my iPod armband and snake the cord through my top so it doesn’t flail around and tangle on my arm.
I pretty much have the same set up for step or floor aerobics, minus iPod; I even have separate shoes. When it comes to lifting weights, I have even more gear. I have my lifting gloves, weighted gloves for micro loading, and even a weighted vest when I need to go heavier for leg work. I am definitely helping to keep the makers of Velcro in business. One of my forum friends said that it makes her feel like a warrior when she straps on all of her gear for weight lifting. It really does almost feel like you’re getting ready for battle.
No wonder there are days when I don’t want to exercise – no matter if it’s a run or lifting – it takes 15 minutes or more just to get ready. What happened to just getting out there and running like a child or dancing to the music without a care? I think I can understand why so many people opt out of exercising all together.
Now, however, running (exercising in general) is more like a production. I have to first get myself psyched up for the “task” at hand. Then there is the appropriate attire, especially when it comes to the right shoes. I also wear my heart rate monitor and that contraption includes a chest strap and watch. I have problems with my knee, so I have to remember to strap on my patellar knee brace. My husband refers to all of those things as my hardware. It gets worse though. If I'm running alone or at the gym, I also strap on my iPod armband and snake the cord through my top so it doesn’t flail around and tangle on my arm.
I pretty much have the same set up for step or floor aerobics, minus iPod; I even have separate shoes. When it comes to lifting weights, I have even more gear. I have my lifting gloves, weighted gloves for micro loading, and even a weighted vest when I need to go heavier for leg work. I am definitely helping to keep the makers of Velcro in business. One of my forum friends said that it makes her feel like a warrior when she straps on all of her gear for weight lifting. It really does almost feel like you’re getting ready for battle.
No wonder there are days when I don’t want to exercise – no matter if it’s a run or lifting – it takes 15 minutes or more just to get ready. What happened to just getting out there and running like a child or dancing to the music without a care? I think I can understand why so many people opt out of exercising all together.
Of course, the results outweigh the inconveniences in the long run, so I will continue to strap on and gear up and try to imagine myself as a strong, capable warrior!
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