I’ve embraced a more moderate approach to exercise, a lesson that took me quite a while to learn. In a world where excellence is often celebrated, being merely adequate doesn’t usually attract much praise. Every couple of weeks when I waltz into the gym, the manager—an incredibly friendly fellow—smirks and says, “Good to see you again, Claire.” I get the joke. In the realm of fitness, I’m like a raccoon: a little soft around the edges, occasionally rummaging through the gym but rarely making a grand appearance. This once sparked feelings of guilt, but now, I’m perfectly at ease with my routine. In fact, I believe that my newfound ease with exercise signifies that I’ve finally grasped the essence of fitness.
Allow me to elaborate.
As a child, I was relatively active, but during my college years, I traded physical pursuits for a serious commitment to smoking. I was completely enamored with it. Acknowledging the health risks didn’t deter me; in the ’80s, smoking was commonplace and became a defining aspect of my identity. If you knew me at all, you knew I was a smoker. Consequently, I was far from athletic. Running a mile felt as daunting as climbing a mountain or swimming across an ocean. It just wasn’t going to happen, and any attempt would likely have ended in disaster.
Once I kicked the habit, I was eager to utilize my newly liberated lungs, so I signed up for a five-mile race. Looking back, that initial race was a chaotic affair. I started off too quickly, halting before I even reached the first mile, panting for breath. I spent the race alternating between sprinting and gasping, which was sheer torture. Yet, crossing the finish line filled me with a sense of elation—I had actually completed it!
I signed up for more races, gradually learning to pace myself, and the experience became a bit less agonizing. I started to pick up speed. However, one major issue remained: I still didn’t enjoy running. In fact, I disliked it. To reward myself for completing a race, I would take a “break,” which essentially meant doing very little until I felt sluggish enough to sign up for another race. This cycle was not sustainable.
After having kids, I believed that setting a more ambitious goal would help me shed the baby weight and find motivation, so I registered for a sprint triathlon. I joined a women’s training group, purchased a bike, and took classes to learn about transitions. I practiced running intervals and completed brick workouts.
On race day, all my training paid off. I performed surprisingly well despite a panic attack during the swim, and I felt fit, strong, and muscular! Who wouldn’t want that feeling? I immediately signed up for another triathlon, but there was a catch: the next race was a year away. Without an immediate goal, I slipped back into my old habits of indulging in snacks like M&M’s and potato chips. My workout gear collected dust throughout the winter, and once spring rolled around, I found myself back at square one. This pattern repeated with each triathlon, and with less time to train, I grew increasingly resigned to my post-race lethargy.
As time passed, my workouts and races became less enjoyable. Any exercise I could fit into my busy life filled with kids and work felt overshadowed by my inability to maintain a consistent fitness routine. Each race I completed seemed to highlight my shortcomings rather than my achievements. The last few races I finished were propelled by sheer willpower, and crossing the finish line simply left me relieved that it was finally over.
A couple of years ago, I made the decision to stop registering for races, cancel my gym membership, and accept that I had gained ten pounds. I surrendered, thinking that I just wasn’t cut out to be an athlete.
And you know what? I’m not.
I’ve come to realize that I don’t need to compete in races or collect medals to be considered fit. At this stage in my life, I understand that my goal is to maintain good health, which I can achieve by taking the stairs and incorporating more walking into my daily life. Moreover, I can engage in activities I genuinely enjoy: attending my weekly yoga class, going for walks with friends, jogging in the park when the weather permits, and spending an hour at the gym when it fits my schedule. This approach might not earn me accolades or sculpted abs, but that’s unnecessary. My priority is to keep my body functioning well for many more years, and it seems that embracing moderation and reducing stress is the perfect strategy for achieving that.
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Summary:
I’ve learned to embrace a moderate approach to exercise, moving away from the pressures of competition and focusing on what feels right for my body. Rather than striving for accolades or perfection, I prioritize activities that promote my well-being and health, proving that finding balance is key to a sustainable fitness journey.