I absolutely hate to work out. When I was younger I played soccer, but I remember even then I loved the game and very strongly disliked practice. I am not someone that loves to “feel the burn”. The whole time I’m working out I am watching the video‘s time pass, continuously checking my watch and counting down the seconds until I can stop.
I have two sisters that run marathons and I am in AWE of them. Running for fun? I definitely did not inherit that gene. Nor did I share the gene of outdoor adventurer like my sisters. One of my sweet sisters shared a shirt with me one time that said “indoorsy” and that is me to a T! I don’t like to be outside, I don’t like the sun, I don’t like to sweat, I don’t like bugs…I just don’t like all the things! Give me a book and a cup of coffee on the couch and I am beyond thrilled.
Tonight, however, I pushed myself to workout. I put the kids down for bed, put on tennis shoes (that I really only had because they’re cute) and did a Beachbody 21 Day Fix video! 30 minutes…I worked out for 30 minutes (and hated at least 25 minutes of it). Why then did I do it? Why do we normally do the things we strongly dislike…the answer most of the time is love. This sudden decision to power through 30 minutes of misery is no different. I love my kids and my family so much that I will do this for them.
I recently looked at a picture I took with my kids and I am sad to say that the first thing I noticed is how unhappy I was with the way I looked. I have gained weight like so many of us just living life. I’m not usually a tiny thing, but 3 kids, work, stress eating, snacking, and all the things have caught up with me. I knew this and I knew that I had gained weight, so that wasn’t the thing that caused me to pause and consider working out this evening…because gosh I’m lazy when it comes to exercise or any type of exertion 😂! What gave me cause and what really upset me was that when I looked at the picture I didn’t focus on my kids’ happy faces. I didn’t focus on my son’s hand gripping mine so tight. I didn’t even see the pride in my husband’s face standing with his beautiful family! I felt so insecure and so focused on the negatives about myself that I missed the things that are most important.
I refuse to be that person. I refuse to focus on the negatives and to look back at memories and have them tainted by unhappiness. I want to look at them and see our joy of being together. If I need to do the hard things, the things that I dislike to get to that point and give that to my family, then so be it!
Working out and exercising is not about losing weight (although, I did google which workout routine would give me the quickest results). Choosing a more active lifestyle is choosing a healthier you. Our bodies need activity to provide stamina, good circulation, overall balance for our organs. We need sunshine and fresh air (no mater how much I want to stay inside). I want to be a happier, healthier, confident me so that my kids benefit from it. How tragic would it be if I missed out on their smiles and all the good things they see in a picture because I chose to stay in my comfortable insecurity and laziness.
I want to live my best life. I guarantee I will never love to workout, I know I will never wake up ready for the burn. That’s just not me! I know what I will love…looking at a picture and knowing that I have done my best for my kids; working to keep me around longer, to provide for them, to find happiness and confidence for them! We are our best selves when we are driven by love; love for God, love for ourselves, love for our families, love for our friends and neighbors. Be your best self.
XOXO,
Ginger about to snap
