This morning I woke up early and checked the thermometer outside. I usually don’t go out if it’s below 20 degrees because no matter how many layers I put on, it isn’t enough. The thermometer was in a good mood today so I layered up and out I went.
Many people refuse to exercise because it’s hard and it’s boring. I admit, the first few weeks I walked my 310 pound body around the block it was torturous. But I had an end goal in mind. I wanted to change my life, not just my clothes size. I wanted to lose the weight and never, ever gain it back. Sometimes we must do hard things to learn what a beautiful place this world can be.
This morning the first thing I did was step out into the brisk morning air and look up to the sky. I looked for my favorite cluster of stars(The Big Dipper), and for the moon. The sky never bores me. I am entranced by the stars and the changing shape of the clouds. I am mesmerized by the sky as it changes moment by moment while I walk. Often it is pitch black when I leave and the sun is shining amber rays over the horizon as I approach my house. This ever changing canvas makes exercising wonderful.
Not only does the sky change in the morning while I walk, but the landscape around me changes day by day. Because I live in St. Louis we have this thing called seasons. I get to watch my neighbors flowers sprout and bloom. I watch shrubs grow and thrive. I watch trees bud, flower, and flush green before fading to rusty hues in the Fall. I see squirrels scamper and bark. I watch Raccoons bound into sewers and possums freak out because they can’t decide whether to run or, well, play possum. Oh, did I mention I’m exercising while experiencing all of this? I almost forgot.
It’s winter now and I’m one of a handful of people still working out in the outdoors. This morning my friend Laura shouted “Hey Margaret” from across the road and I shouted “Hey” at a man riding his bicycle. My morning “work-outs” often feel more like an escape into an alternate reality where the world is beautiful and stress melts away like hot butter, not an awful chore to be endured and loathed. I have been teasing my boss about his new personal trainer. She is working him so hard he lubbs into work like a puddle of warm cheese. That’s not my idea of fun. And if I want to maintain this healthy lifestyle, I’m sure as heck not going to be miserable doing it. (He’s on his umpteenth trainer in the 7 years I’ve known him) Sure I have off days. Everyone does. But most days I am tickled pinker than the sky to be outside and moving.
You might think losing weight and getting healthy is impossible. It’s not. Start small and work your way up. Tomorrow try 10 minutes and in a month try 20. Whatever you do, don’t languish in your house where the only exercise you get is between the couch and the pantry. This world is filled with wonder. Go out and see it. I dare you!
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