I’ve learned the importance of exercising in moderation. It took me quite a while to grasp this concept, as being mediocre at something often doesn’t come with any applause. When I stroll into the gym every couple of weeks, the manager, a genuinely kind person, greets me with a touch of sarcasm, “Good to see you again, Evelyn.” I totally get it. In the fitness world, I’m like a raccoon—soft, a bit of a scavenger, and while I’m seldom spotted, my occasional appearance doesn’t raise any eyebrows. This used to fill me with guilt, but not anymore. In fact, I’ve come to realize that my relaxed approach to exercise signifies that I’ve got this whole fitness thing figured out.
My Athletic Journey
Let me share my story. As a child, I was quite athletic, but during college, I traded that in for a serious relationship with cigarettes. Oh, how I loved smoking! Despite knowing it was harmful, it was a staple of my identity in the ’80s; if you knew me even a little, you knew I was a smoker. As a result, athleticism was off the table. Running a mile? That felt as impossible as summiting Everest. If I had tried, I’d have likely ended up in an ambulance.
However, once I kicked the habit, I decided to make the most of my newly smoke-free lungs and work on my cardiovascular endurance. I signed up for a five-mile race and began training. Looking back, that first race was quite the spectacle. I started off way too fast and had to pause before hitting the first mile, gasping for breath. The rest of the race was a cycle of sprinting and gasping. It was grueling while I was running, but crossing that finish line filled me with euphoria. I couldn’t believe I had actually done it.
Encouraged, I signed up for more races and gradually learned to pace myself, making those miles a little less torturous. I picked up my speed, but there was a catch: I still didn’t enjoy running. In fact, I kind of despised it. So, after completing a race, I’d reward myself with a “break,” which meant doing almost nothing until I felt sluggish enough to sign up for another race. This cycle wasn’t exactly the healthiest pattern.
A New Challenge
After having kids, I thought I needed a more ambitious goal to shed the baby weight and get motivated, so I enrolled in a sprint triathlon. I joined a women’s training group, got a bike, and took classes on transitioning. I ran intervals and did brick workouts.
On race day, my training paid off. I performed well, even with a panic attack during the swim, and I was quicker than I anticipated. I felt fit, strong, and muscular! Who wouldn’t want that feeling? I immediately signed up for another triathlon. The only hitch? That race was a year away. Without a race on the horizon, I slipped back into my old habits, indulging in M&M’s and potato chips. My workout gear collected dust through the winter, and by spring, I found myself back at square one. I repeated this cycle with each triathlon, starting from scratch each time, giving myself less time to train, and growing increasingly resigned to my post-race sloth.
Realizations and Acceptance
As time passed, my workouts and races became increasingly unenjoyable. Any exercise I managed to fit into my hectic schedule of parenting, work, and household duties felt overshadowed by my failure to maintain a consistent fitness routine. Each race served as a reminder of my shortcomings rather than celebrating my successes. The last few races were fueled solely by sheer determination, and at the finish line, I was just relieved it was over.
Then, a couple of years ago, I stopped signing up for races altogether. I canceled my gym membership, gained 10 pounds, and resigned myself to the belief that I simply wasn’t cut out to be an athlete.
And you know what? That’s true. I’m not an athlete, and my mistake was thinking that to be “fit,” I needed to compete in races and accumulate an assortment of finisher’s medals. But that’s not necessary. I’m in my mid-40s and have never truly been an athlete, even though I’ve been blessed with a body that can hold its own if I want to push it. However, the essence of exercise isn’t about competition—it’s about staying healthy. I can achieve this by taking the stairs and incorporating more walking into my daily routine. I can also enjoy activities that I genuinely like: attending my weekly yoga class, walking with friends, jogging in the park when the weather is nice, and yes, spending an hour at the gym when I can. While this approach may not earn me any medals or sculpted abs, it meets my primary goal—keeping my body functioning well for many more years to come. Sometimes, less really is more, and reducing the stress around fitness is exactly the workout I need.
Further Reading
In case you’re interested in exploring other aspects of health, check out our article on home insemination kits for an informative take on fertility. Also, if you’re navigating your own fertility journey, you can find valuable insights from the experts here. For those looking into pregnancy resources, this Healthline article is an excellent resource.
Summary
This reflective piece discusses the author’s journey to embrace a moderate approach to fitness after years of struggling with guilt and unrealistic expectations tied to athleticism. It highlights the transition from an intense, competitive mindset to a healthier, more enjoyable way of staying active, emphasizing the importance of personal fulfillment over accolades.
Keyphrase: moderate exercise
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