It’s 5AM on a Sunday morning and my alarm just woke me. It’s my day off; I don’t work on Sundays and I definitely don’t want to be up this early. The hubby works today; if I am going to get an uninterrupted workout in I have got to get up and get it done before the rest of the family wakes for the day.
Everyone has a good idea of the many health benefits of exercise: controls weight, combats heart disease, prevents high blood pressure, lowers bad cholesterol and can reduce the risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain cancer and arthritis. There are also the non-health related benefits: fitness boosts energy, improves mood, and promotes better sleep. The benefits to exercise are endless. Really though, these are just words on a page until you understand what these benefits mean to you.
I wasn’t always fit. Growing up I was blessed with a fast metabolism and good genes. I had never considered the need to workout or eat healthy, I was naturally thin. I didn’t need to exercise, or so I thought.
After 10 years working in corporate Calgary treating clients to business lunches or after work dinner and drinks, I was a little thicker around the midsection than I had ever been before. So what? It wasn’t noticeable to anyone but me and if I needed to I could do something about it.
At 26, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. My doctor prescribed medication with a huge list of side effects which scared me. I was in my child-bearing years and not ready to spend the rest of my life on meds to keep me healthy. I took this as my wake-up call to make necessary changes.
Instead of starting on the recommended medications I hit the gym, started eating better and got educated on how I could help myself without the need for drugs. After 6 months of training and eating healthy my cholesterol levels were normal and blood pressure was under control.
Fast forward a few years and a couple of children my need for fitness hasn’t changed. A health concern got me on the right path with fitness and my family helps keep me on track and motivates me to maintain my fitness.
Staying fit keeps my body able and gives me the energy that I need to keep up with my busy boys. Between bike rides, soccer games, baseball, hockey, skating, and playing at the park I need all the energy possible. I never realized how many hills there are in Chestermere until I strapped two kids into a trailer behind my bike.
I would be lying if I said looking good didn’t matter. Yes I am vain, I can admit that. I want to look amazing. As I hit my thirties, my once fast metabolism has started to slow. I have to work a bit harder than I used to in order to keep my weight the same. I am okay with that; I am very proud of the fact that after 2 kids I look better than I did in my twenties.
I know what motivates me to get out of bed early on my day off. Consider what is important to you and detail your reasons for fitness. What will get you out of bed early?
