Exercising with Intention

After the long winter, it’s energizing to experience a sunny day and see other signs of spring gradually take hold. One of the things I love most about this season is being able to mix more outdoor activities into my workout routine. Running has been my passion for many years, but with a back injury, I’m learning to love walking for the time being, and I mix in biking and hiking where I can. Whatever form it takes, exercise is extremely important to me year-round, and there’s just nothing like being able to do it in the fresh air. It provides a double-dose of well-being – a boost for both body and mind.

Exercise is a bedrock of my health and well-being, and prioritizing it is a key example of how I try to be intentional about the way I live my life. I work out for about an hour every day, first thing in the morning. It’s not always easy while juggling a demanding schedule, but I’ve found that investing the time helps me feel stronger, more energetic, and ready to tackle any challenge. Even when I’m traveling, I make it a point to find a gym or a place to run outdoors. I’ll admit that sometimes I’ve resorted to running up and down the stairs in my hotel if that’s the only way I can get some physical activity in.

My love for exercise began when I was a freshman in college. At the time, I wasn’t very fit, but I knew that I wanted to have a long, healthy life, and that exercise was a pathway to getting there. I decided to give running a try, and to my surprise, I took to it right away. Maybe it was the “runner’s high,” the rush of endorphins that floods the brain with a sense of well-being, and I embraced running as part of my daily routine, and never looked back.

As someone who likes to challenge myself, I have channeled my passion for running into participating in well over a hundred marathons and triathlons over the years. The races have been great for my competitive drive, but at the core, what’s kept me physically active all these years is the same thing that hooked me in the first place: the many benefits I experience, both physically and mentally, after moving my body – from greater stamina to the joy of being in community with other runners. Because I’ve focused on activities that I truly enjoy, I’ve never seen exercise as a chore or as something I “have to do.”

Like many people, I found physical activity to be essential in helping me stay resilient throughout the past two years. Now, as we move into a new phase of life in the pandemic, with many things we’d like to leave behind, there are some practices we should preserve – like embracing the importance of exercise. I know that there are many who share my commitment and passion for movement, and that it’s a stretch for others. But I encourage everyone to do some type of physical activity. What counts is engaging in some kind of regular activity that’s appropriate for your body and abilities – and most important, that’s enjoyable, whether it be yoga, gardening, strength training, or something else. Personally, I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to start running races again later this year – it’s always good to have goals! – but you certainly don’t have to run a marathon to get the many benefits of movement.???????????????????????????????????????????????????

As we welcome spring with open arms, what kinds of physical activities do you plan to either continue doing or incorporate into your daily routine?