Feeling the Need for a Healthier Me

I am not an active person.

In fact…I actively avoid being active when that activity is specifically exercise. I am not exaggerating here. 

The gym is my hell.

However, I do enjoy being outside.

In order to get myself to exercise, I have to make it enjoyable, exciting and adventurous. I love going for a walk to explore, hoola-hooping, one-woman dance parties, etc. When I was younger, I even had a Skip-It! 

Do they still make those things? I loved the crap out of that thing until the day it finally died.

This summer, I have been terribly inactive. The heat, the asthma, the sweat – I use them all as great excuses. With their help, I can effortlessly turn away any thought of leaving the comfort of the couch.

But I really should be doing more to take care of myself.

So recently, I started missing my old bike. It broke during my sophomore year of high school, but I was already driving by then so there was no immediate need to replace it. Lately, I miss the thrill I got out of it. It was wonderful and exciting to ride. I loved the rush of wind through my hair as I imagined myself, not in the Tour de France, but as a daring bike messenger in risky New York City.

So one morning a couple of weeks ago, I borrowed my brother’s bicycle for a quick ride. Granted, it was a tad bit small, but it rode just the same. I took it for a lap around the park.

AND MY GOSH DOES THAT HURT. My knees were screaming before I was halfway around the track. Clearly, I am super out of practice…and athletic shape in general. (Actually I don't think I've ever existed in any sort of athletic shape.)

But I got the rush I was looking for - and a bit of much needed inspiration!

While I haven't been on a ride since, I am thinking about my health and wellness as well as compiling a list of easy ways to take care of myself and develop a healthier lifestyle. I'm even thinking of investing in a bike to get around campus this semester!

Now, I’m not the kind of person who can make drastic changes easily or “go cold turkey” off of anything. So I guess the first step for me personally, is just being mindful. I can start by being actively aware of what food I’m putting in my body and how I employ it, as well as recognizing how both affect my well-being.

Plan for updates on this subject to come…