“You’re mad!” – something I often hear from those who learn of the latest challenge I’m undertaking/have completed, or even just how often I’m doing something fitness related. I’m quite used to it now so it barely registers at a conscious level. But recently, and especially since entertaining the idea of starting this blogging venture, I’ve been thinking about it a lot more.
I probably wouldn’t go quite as far as Arnie, but I really do enjoy working-out and generally being active, finding it to have positive effects both physically and mentally. For me, exercise isn’t a chore, and if I could spend more of my day being active I definitely would.
It’s easy to take one’s body for granted – the majority of us are born with this thing that works pretty well to fulfil our daily activities, that we didn’t have to earn, and requires minimal maintenance. But after taking the time to think about what exactly I’ve been gifted with, I realised just how fortunate I am to possess such an amazing (though far from perfect in my instance) piece of machinery of incredible potential.
Even when you’re trying your best to be still, you’re still moving – whether that’s micro movements by your muscles to find ‘balance’, or your heart beating and chest expanding when breathing as you sleep. From before conception, the only time you’re truly still is when you’re dead, affirming in my mind the strong association between life and movement – life is motion. I’ve thought a lot about a possible meaning of life in the past, and the best I could conclude was just to live it – getting the most out of what you have.
The only two things I entered the world with were my body and my mind, and was (and still am) lucky enough to have both fully functioning. Therefore, I believe I owe it to myself to treat them well, using them as best as I can – this is why I feel it’s so important to live a healthy lifestyle. I move not just because I enjoy it, but because that’s what my body is for! It upsets and surprises me that I’m the one considered crazy for trying to get the most from it, whereas it’s perfectly socially acceptable, and sometimes encouraged, to mistreat your body in various manners. True, I’ve decided to go beyond what’s necessary to maintain it to a good standard, but I really want to see what it’s capable of. However, I’m no athlete, model, or fitness competitor, so still very much enjoy some indulgences.
I’m in no way saying that everyone should be like me (how boring that would be indeed!). Instead, I can only hope that people take a few minutes to muse over how healthy their lifestyle is, and whether they’re moving enough; with so many different ways to utilise the body, and activities available in life, I truly think there’s something for everyone. Be bold, find your happy – dare to move.