I just celebrated my 31st birthday a few days ago...
It feels like every year, I end up getting a bit of motivation / enthusiasm to get back into shape right around birthday time. Something about the sudden realization that I've completed another personal orbit around the sun makes me want to make the most of my time -- which to me, requires that I get some exercise.
That being said, I admit to spending my work-days in front of a computer (with the odd trip outside here and there scattered throughout the week). I'm a firm believer in the fact that the human body is a machine that was designed to move. I go climbing, I play squash, I go running, I ride my bike, I practice yoga, and I love every agonizing moment of it. I don't do it to lose weight. I do it primarily for the mental benefits, and to get strong, which also makes me feel better. I found the video below to be very informative:
I've definitely become a believer in the mental / cognition / mindfullness benefits of exercising. If I get stumped at work? I like to at least get out for a walk, but a run definitely gets me feeling refreshed. The best academic performance I had in university also coincided pretty strongly with my peak running training when I was getting ready for marathons a few times a year.
This kind of stuff drives my motivation pretty strongly. However, it's also easy to recognize that after finishing my studies at university -- my activity level has declined SIGNIFICANTLY... Talking like -- going from running 150km/month, to about 10km/month (if any). It probably could also explain a lot of why I'm generally stressed out on a day-to-day basis (also -- work is stressful). So I've decided to do something!
I'm turning this bitch around, baby!
I was just in Kelowna the other weekend, and for whatever reason, we were going to bed early, and waking up just as early. It felt good, and it was nice having those early mornings to take advantage of a block of time -- before I'm burnt out from my day at work. This morning, I went for a nice jog -- and I intend to start an almost daily practice of morning running. Not to mention -- I'm hoping to get a larger share of the rewards from my @RunBurgundy project, where members split the SBD rewards that @RunBurgundy earns!
It doesn't take much -- so I hope many of you join me in an effort to become more intentional with getting some exercise -- not to lose weight, but to improve your mental well-being. The human body was crafted over millions of years to move, and it craves it.
So whaddaya think?
- Do you buy any of this 'mumbo-jumbo' sciencey garbage?;
- Do you prefer to enjoy life by sitting still?;
- Are you interested in joining the @RunBurgundy group?;
- Did anyone even read this?