I was running around the hills of Johnsonville recently, which if you come from a relatively flat Hamilton, can be very taxing. As I ran and navigated the streets that I used to live on, I thought about how I’ve run more in Wellington, since I’ve left Wellington, than when I actually lived there.
When I was in Wellington, I was eating crappy food, not exercising, and really putting on weight.
At the time I thought I was busy, but I was not as busy as what I am now.
At the time I was in my 20’s and thought I was bullet proof, despite the fact that I’d been given high cholesterol warnings from the doctor, and people commented on my putting on weight.
I would like to say that I took those as a warning and started to improve my health, but it’s sad to say that my health got significantly unhealthier and it would be over ten years before I made the change.
As I ran the streets that morning I realised that it would have been good to get healthier earlier. I thought about how much exercise and eating right helps me. It gives me better mental energy, less stress, better health, better fitness, and a better life in general.
I regretted the fact that I hadn’t got healthier earlier, that I hadn’t run the streets of Wellington when I was young and actually lived here.
∴
I think there might be some strange link between exercise and energy. Shock horror!
Every time I stop exercising or eating well for a season I quickly get stressed, put on weight and feel tired.
At those times I know there are three steps I must take:
- Resolve | If I don’t decide to do something, nothing will happen. I need to give myself the proverbial kick up the butt and get moving. Without resolve I rarely make it.
- Equip | I make sure I have the tools to build a routine and pattern. Maybe it’s apps like Lift.do, ShapeUp or a gym membership, or a friend to spur me on.
- Start | I generally start small and try to do something every day. Just create the habit and then let the habit move me forward.
If you are in that space… you should do something.
Today!