Right for me

(For those of you who have ever looked into astrology…my birthday is on the cusp between Leo and Virgo, so I've always said that I had the best of both signs…but that was the Leo talking. Well, this summer my “Leo” started talking suddenly…)

I used to be active in sports and dance in high school and afterward for several years. But, when teaching really took over my life, regular exercise went out the door. I have two young kids and I really want to stay healthy for them and be a good role model. The only exercise I had done in years is yoga. After talking to some friends who run and bike and reading all the temt posts about running, I thought, “I can do that.” Maybe that would be a good change for me. I have always had that type of personality that thinks I can achieve anything if I put my mind to it. I am invincible!

So I started interval running with a friend every other day. Why wasn’t I improving? “Oh, It’s the humidity." “Maybe I just didn’t get enough sleep.“ ”I just need music for motivation.” ”It will get better soon.” After only 7 running days and 2 weeks of feeling horrible, I finally listened to my body and stopped. I was about to collapse. I was so fatigued I got winded for extended periods of time just walking up the stairs. I went to the doctor and we are currently trying to figure out the reason for the fatigue.

Thanks to some “temt”ers out there, I started reading more about walking vs. running. It reminded me that I don’t have to do what everyone else does, I don’t have to run long distances to improve my health or my life. Maybe I've just never been meant for running. I can be invincible in my own way. So, after 2 weeks of no exercise, trying to regroup, I tried walking and yoga.

You know what? I felt just as good about myself for getting out there and had energy the rest of the day. I'm honoring my body and am doing what is right for me.