More Than Vanity

About five years ago, after losing 20 pounds, I joined our local gym. To anyone else Team Fitness may just be a gym but to me it has been a big change agent. You see, 5 years ago I started a routine of working out for an hour a day, five days a week. I had no idea how much this schedule would add to my life.

The first thing that I gained from the work outs was health. It didn't take long to realize that the reason I was always complaining about not feeling well was because I wasn't healthy. Our bodies were meant to break a sweat! Not only did I start feeling well but my lower back problems began to slowly get better as I learned so much about body mechanics: core strengthening and stretching! I am walking proof that exercise gives a person a better quality of life.

I must admit that what started out as vanity gave me more than I can explain. Not only did I start to look better, I started to have an amazing amount of energy. I experienced a reduction in stress as I began to take it to the gym and leave it there. Along with the physical benefits also came a whole host of emotional gains as well.
I liked the way exercise made me look and feel so therefore that led to more self confidence. I competed in my first duathlon, something I never dreamed I would do. That race gave me such a feeling of overcoming because I was really nervous to even try something like this.

When I was a girl I wasn't involved in sports. For one reason or another my brother was the one encouraged to be the athlete in the family. To find out at 37 that I was pretty competitive myself, was quite the discovery! I love to ride my bike (thanks to Kat and Cole for getting me started!) out on the trail too.

Another benefit was that I got such joy from being a Christian 'in cognito'. I felt excited to see who God would put in my path that I could encourage or be encouraged by. I loved to see how Jesus would create connections to reveal Himself through the ordinary activity of exercise.

Today was my last day at Team Fitness because of our move to Federal Way. Today will not be the day I give up all that I have gained from the place.

My first item on my list of to do's when we get to our new home: find a gym!

Comments

[paulette]

One more paragraph and I MIGHT have been inspired! Just kidding, I am inspired, now if I could just get my inspiration up off the chair and out to the streets.

[Erin Hell]

I highly recommend LA Fitness there are 2 in Federal Way so depending on what end of town you are in its close! I workout there and have found it very inspiring! Im already loosing the weight I put on withe my second baby.

[Loran]

Michelle
Your post just inspired me to kick my butt and get up at 5:00 AM to work out tomorrow. Thanks