Why I work out
by Sheila Walsh on 02/26/2010 02:02
WHY I WORK OUT
There is nothing on the tapes that play in my head that says "Let's go to the gym!" In my flesh, I have about as much desire to work out as I do to join a clogging club! But I hit a certain age when I realized that the only options remaining to me were twofold:
1-Get marginally better or
2-Get a whole lot worse, fast. The days of a pleasant plateau are gone.
So, I found an all-girl's gym, hired a trainer and began. She asked me what my fitness goals were and seeing the blank look in my eyes (only thing I could think of was not to die trying) offered a few suggestions. "Do you want to look good for a special occasion, for summer, that little bikini?" Once I stopped laughing, I told her that my goal was simple: to serve God for as long as I can with as healthy a body as possible. She said, "I love that, let's start."
It's not been easy and some mornings I come so close to texting her and telling her to go grab coffee as I am deep in prayer. But I get out of bed and go. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say it is proving to be life changing. I sleep better, I think clearer and my clothes fit better. But I noticed the biggest change when I went into Nashville to record vocals for my new CD. I've always had trouble holding my breath on long phrases, but I didn't this t
ime. My
producer, John Hartley, who has been a friend for
over twenty years, noticed the difference straight away. All in all, I feel stronger and more alive.
If, like me you have a diagnosis of clinical depression, it's hard to over estimate the impact that physical exercise will have on your brain chemistry. I attended a lecture a few weeks ago where the doctor said that for a woman, working out for 3 hours a week, produces the same impact on the brain as the typical dose of an anti-depressant medication. For the moment I'm doing both (which just means I'm annoyingly happy). I would never advocate stopping a prescribed medication without doctor's approval.
So, I'm writing this on a flight and once I get to my hotel, I'll hit the gym grateful that I can, longing for a heart that is strong and a spirit that is willing to take care of this one life I have been given.
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