Just DO IT!

Just do it.

Thank you Nike, for the answer with which I respond every time someone asks, how do you find the time to work out? I just do it. I find time, I make time, I incorporate physical fitness into every single thing I can, and I credit exercise for my sanity. Exercise has always been an integral part of my life. I have always loved the feelings of endorphins flowing through my body, sweat dripping off my skin, heart pumping through my chest, muscles screaming stop, no keep going! And as I have gotten older, I have realized so many more benefits than simply staying in shape. My relationship with exercise has vastly changed and grown over the last decade. I used to work out because I wanted to be in shape, because I wanted to look good, because vanity played a huge factor in my life. However, this past year, I have spent a great deal of time exercising for purely the mental benefits.

In January 2010, I ran my first half marathon. Prior to training for the half, I had never run further than 5 miles at a clip. My pace was slow, and I truly could never understand why someone would want to run for hours on end. Then, my best friend announced she would be doing a half marathon. I felt lazy and inspired all in one. If my friend who never had an interest in exercising could master this feat, I most certainly could as well! The next day, I signed up to complete the same half marathon, and training began. Each week I increased my mileage more and more, and saw that my endurance, my gait, my enjoyment all changed. I enjoyed my runs that were much longer of a distance than I would normally run, and realized that during these runs, as my feet hit the pavement in a rhythmic beat, my head also began to pound out solutions to issues, concerns, worries, began to make plans that were well thought out as I spent hours running. Upon completing this first half, I was hooked. Running became my zen place, my shoes slipped on and I was off into a world of my own. Next goal: another half, which would be the halfway marker to my BIG GOAL- The Philadelphia Marathon. Pavement pounding, mental workouts became a way of life for me. All of my big thoughts, I did along country roads in Morris County, NJ. I saw seasons change before my eyes, on the paths I began to regard as home. I saw my own self change as the training went on, mentally growing stronger each and every long run I was able to complete. I realized that this runners high people spoke of was truly real, and worked wonders for me. The fact that I found the mental strength and physical endurance to run for 4 straight hours amazed me. The marathon came, the marathon went. And I found myself in a place where I needed a break from running, yet curious as to what challenge my body would be up for next.

Next goal: fitness competitions. I figured if I can give birth and run a marathon, my body can do anything, let’s see how it goes. Currently I am 7 weeks out from my first fitness competition and as one of my greatest supporters likes to say “ ALL IN”. I follow a diet plan, which entails eating ALL DAY LONG. I am not kidding, I do more eating than anything else, yet it also involves working out, pushing my body to the max and watching as my body rises to yet another challenge, without fail. I am enjoying every single second of it and learning much more about my body and mind than I ever could have possibly imagined. I first off, never bought into the “its all about the diet," however, I am being shown that it IS possible to eat all day long, to fuel your body with the proper foods and watch as your body changes before your eyes. I have learned how to use the combination of weight lifting, cardio activities and much slower paced mindful stretches, as my zen time, just as I did hours of lonesome running. My body FEELS amazing. I feel energized, clean and healthy all of the time. I feel alive.

While I have listed all of my reasons of why, reasons to sway anyone to work out, while I have clearly demonstrated that I, personally, need challenges and find them in the workout world, I have not yet explained the question I hear so frequently - WHERE DO YOU FIND THE TIME? I am a single mom, I work long hours and I do not have a ton of time to spare, so it makes PERFECT sense when people ask, where do you find the time. Well, in reality, I FIND it, I MAKE it, I JUST DO IT. Most days, I have the opportunity to utilize my lunch hour to head downstairs to the company gym, where I can use cardio equipment, and then shower. I have begun bringing my own free weights and resistance bands since they are not supplied, to maximize my workout time at lunch. This time to work out is extremely valuable to me and I have come to depend on it (especially after working a night shift and working during the day on very little sleep - that little bit of cardio REALLY energizes me!). If I know I won’t be able to do a great workout at lunch, I try to get up a half hour early and jump on the treadmill or jump rope in my basement, a.k.a. Mommy’s gym. And, for those days when I’m swamped at my desk and never get to leave - I have a new workout partner - my son. We grab our stuff, and hit an outdoor mini workout together -whether it be swimming in the pool (come on, squats and lunges are so easy in the water!!), playing tag in the park (because  he LOVES it ) or playing on a jungle gym (did you know how many different kinds of abs exercises you can do while hanging from the monkey bars?!!?!), we have a great time, and get a workout - it is never too young to get kids active! 

I make the time because it feels good, because the extra added serotonin flowing through my brain afterward is good for me, it keeps me in great shape, and because it makes me a better mom. I make time because it’s important, and because it will help me remain on  this earth for a longer time. At the end of a long day - hand me some running shoes instead of a bottle of wine - because this stress relief is a million times better for me and you.

Today, make some time, find some time – go alone, go with a friend, play with your kids. Exercise.