Since shaking things up for myself by consciously cutting back on alcohol (I'm barely clocking two drinks per week), I've amped up my exercise and am feeling so much happier and healthier for it.
It's a no-brainer, really.
I've probably touched on my new-found habit, but left it at that. I'm not very excellent at sporting endeavours, but I am doing it!
My sister and I joined a group training thingie (that makes it sound less serious, less hardcore). I get up three mornings a week at 5:30am to make it for an hour of power. It's getting darker in the morning and harder to shake off the covers, but the pay off is huge. Endorphins and that sweet post-exercise muscle twinge to remind you that YES YOU GOT UP AND EXERCISED.
As well I've added a gym session here and there when I want to, and when I can fit it in, and interval training with the Doctor (he LOVES it, I'm not amazing at it, but I'm moving people!), and Sunday sessions with the whole family at the park. This weekend it was so good to be on the grass, the four of us, in the sunshine, doing something physical.
I've come to the conclusion that it is important to wear exercise gear that makes you feel good. Well it works for me. I find more motivation to get up (I know, so superficial) because I bought new sneakers that don't make me look like Jerry Seinfeld. I'm not talking about spending loads of money, but psychologically, I think having something a little 'nice' to exercise in is a sound investment.
Now I am starting to see this exercise thing as a life-long commitment, rather than just a fad I am going through. I've been rising at 5:30am for three months - no one would ever think I would do that! I wish I'd come to it sooner, but I see that it's so important to my overall well-being that I am going to continue to invest in it.
Let's face it, I'm a lot less cranky when I exercise, and everyone can benefit from that. I'm excited by this new chapter, and madly working on my Kelly Rowland biceps.
Are you exercising? What do you do?