Whenever I’m in need of a bit of emotional encouragement,
the first thing that pops into my head is food. But, knowing that bingeing
often brings me crashing down after an intense ‘high’ period, I’ve had no
choice but to find something else to focus my mind on. For the last 7 or 8
months, I’ve been regularly using a treadmill or going on lengthy walks, simply
for some exercise. While at times it’s difficult to get into the right
mind-set, I always find that a good long walk or run makes me feel fresher,
more alert, and less inclined to consume my bodyweight in biscuits.
It may sound clichéd, but it is absolutely true what they
say: exercise is key to improving your health. And I’m not just talking about
physical health either. Since exercising more, I’ve had more confidence, and
I’ve been far less shy about my build, despite the fact that, as of yet,
there’s been no huge improvement in terms of physical appearance. I’m far
happier overall, and that’s paramount. I know this, and yet I’m inexplicably
still in the process of ridding myself of this dependence on food craving. I’m
doing alright, but my body is at war, internally. It’s currently fighting two
cravings – one for lean healthiness and one for all the sugared crap in the
known universe. And this admission highlights a significant issue – that of
one’s fitness regime becoming obsessive, which I believe has the potential to
be equally as dangerous as any other form of addiction.
From what I’ve realised, short bursts of regular exercise
are best. But bulk exercise simply doesn’t cut it. By bulk exercise, I mean
frantically working out as much as possible in a particular time frame. You’re
much more likely to give up on your self-improvement if you try to do too much
at once. Fitness improves with time – in order to succeed you have to know your
limits, and if you stand by them, those limits will likely change, sooner than
you might believe. You’ll probably be surprised by your own capabilities after
just a short while, but how do you find the enthusiasm to engage in such
physical activity in the first place?
The truth is, you do have to force yourself at times. A
couple of years ago, I remember being impressed by my housemates for committing
so much time to the gym, one of whom has gone on to improve her physical self
tremendously. But my body’s tolerance of such routines wasn’t quite mature
enough at the time, and I worked out in spurts. I pushed myself, and it was
worth it at the time, but after about a year, I was forced to quit, mostly
because I found the gym was far too costly for the activities I engaged in.
Back then, too, I focussed far too intensely on physical change rather than
fitness, which led to my being underweight for a time. The lesson here is to
not try and accomplish something you cannot really handle. Okay, I looked
alright, but I didn’t feel good. And so I missed the point entirely. Even if
you’re not the most active person, you can still improve yourself through
physical means. Any reluctance is primarily due to laziness. Take it from me –
for a clear head, exercise is essential. Even walking does wonders.
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