Running in Place

One problem with the word “exercise” is that we associate it with “work.” It’s work to run on a treadmill, lift weights, do sit ups, etc. And while there is a long-range reward for persistent exercise, there is little immediate gratification. As a matter of fact, after a work out, you’re usually hot, sweaty, sore and completely worn out. Think about it: after you’ve just run for 45 minutes on the treadmill, you haven’t gained one inch of ground. You’ve been moving, but you’ve gone nowhere. Now, that’s just plain depressing. It makes it difficult to put your heart into it.

I think the key for non-exercise fanatics is to fit your workout seamlessly into your day. Personally, I need a tangible goal when I exercise.

When I walk, I need to have a purpose and a starting point and ending point. I need to be able to see change. For beginners like me, maybe it’s choosing to walk to the grocery store instead of driving. Walking to the library. Walking to a friend’s.

Oftentimes, exercise is as simple as daily living. Walking through a grocery story pushing a heavy cart is exercise. Doing laundry can be exercise, especially if your machines are in the basement. Gardening, mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, all of those are exercise.

Unlike running on a treadmill, do you think you’re exercising at the time? Probably not, but the point is you’re not sedentary and you reach a tangible goal. It’s much easier to put your heart into it.

You’re not merely running in place.