Friday, October 25, 2013

The Exercise Cure

     I used to think that the bleak NY winters were the cause of my "down" feelings during the winter time. I thought I needed more sunshine. I bought full spectrum light bulbs and placed them in every room and I turned on all the lights and surfed the Internet for "Happy Lamps." I used to think winter dreariness caused my blues until I experienced the "down" feelings in FL last winter. Even with sunshine and fresh air I still got down. Let's face it. Life can be challenging. And parenting is tough (not to mention those hormonal fluctuations and family members with health issues). Often I would be weary and full of self doubt. Add to that the fact that I was away from my strong support system (see bubble post) and there you have it - winter blues in the sunshine. As I prayerfully brainstormed solutions to my winter blues I decided my plan of action. First, I need to reach out to my support system and have them pray for me. Second, I need to eat good healthy food. I know from past experience that if I eat too much junk food then I get out of whack emotionally. Third, cough, exercise.
     I tried a kick boxing class but it was a long drive to get to the kick boxing class and then it turned out to be not my cup of tea. The kicking/punching techniques were just too messy for me (not good martial arts). I found it hard to find any other class close by that worked with our schedule so I resorted to walking laps around the campground. The outside loop of the campground was .5 mile. I would walk 4 loops plus the 5 or so trips to the dog park and the laundry run. That exercise did help my mood but I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't quite aerobic enough.
     If you know us y'all know that my husband is a triathlon fanatic. He loves it. He got his dad and his children into the sport. I had no interest. A friend mentioned that doing a tri was on her bucket list and I was like "You have fun with that." Then the FL exercise crisis hit... I actually started entertaining the notion to try a tri. The Irongirl was sold out so Jeff told me to check out the Gillie Girl. When I looked it up I was shocked to find out it was on my birthday. Also 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. Because we had just weathered my mom's cancer storm I thought maybe this was my tri. I called my friend and we both signed up.
     Signing up for the tri was just the push I needed. Jeff found us a beginner tri schedule and I started checking off boxes. I was careful not to miss many workouts (although I occasionally switched workouts around). I did not want to get to the day of my tri and not be ready. Running has never been my thing. In fact, I gag at the thought of running (ok well I actually jog, not run). But I had to make peace with it.  In the end. I still had tough days and down moments but the exercise made all the difference. I see that exercise is a big piece of the fighting the winter blues puzzle.
     Now it's fall and getting chilly. I have not been as faithful with the exercise since summer ended. I know I need to step it up. (Ugh. Gag. Oh Whatever). I'll get there and maybe someday I'll even enjoy a jog.