The Reasons Why I Continue Training
A few weeks ago I wrote about my journey. I want to continue to write about my journey because right now it means so much to me and I want to be able to recollect my thoughts and feelings for later in life.
The topic for today is positive health benefits from training. This includes being more fit, more active, sharper mind, and improved mental health. I don’t want it to seem like I have everything figured out, because I don’t. I still have struggles. I have bad days. There are things going on in life that are hard. But sometimes you need something to carry you through, training has been one of the things helping me get through.
In 6 months, I have felt my body change. I haven’t seen my body change too drastically, it has changed some, but even more I have felt the change. I was a lazy piece of crap for a number of years. I would “get” in shape to hike during the summer, but even then I would only use Saturdays to be active. I struggled with getting around, walking up stairs would wind me. I oftentimes would find a way to not bend over because it was hard for me. In a few months, I changed everything as I started to train. I have a son who is now one year old. It was hard for me to get on the ground and play with him because I was stiff and it hurt. Now, I can crawl around and chase him as he runs from room to room. My body looks about the same, I still have a dad bod with a few less pounds. But I am not stiff anymore, I feel loose and can accomplish those little tasks that used to be difficult with more ease . This increase in functional movement is more important to me as it has helped me be a more involved dad.
My mindset changed when I started to train for my triathlon. I always worked out because I wanted to look better (don’t we all), but now I had a goal that was actually attainable not based on physical appearance and it’s been much more motivating. Before, I would find any excuse to not go to the gym. If I was tired, not going. If I had to rush to go before an event, too much work. Saturdays were for watching football, not going to the gym. I was only pretending to get fit. Training for an event forced me into better habits and now I look forward to my workouts each day. I now find joy and happiness in my training.
In my personal opinion, one of the biggest reasons we struggle with mental health issues is because we run from our feelings. It’s easy to drown our feelings in social media, tv shows, work, and so many more things that distraction us from our thoughts. Running and biking long distances forces you to be in your mind, it is impossible to run 15 miles without acknowledging and processing your feelings. Being able to take the time to work through your feelings and emotions, giving them time to just be, has changed my outlook and mental health. Rather than ignoring my feelings, I can understand them better. Why am I feeling this way, what is the underlying issue? It has been a game changer. It has changed the way I process thoughts and in return how I feel afterwards. Block out the distractions and find time to be with yourself. Leave your headphones at home and go for a long run, it truly is life changing.
I can talk about this for a long time. My overall lifestyle and health have dramatically improved while training for triathlon and now my marathon. I haven’t even mentioned eating healthier and have so much more energy to be with my family and at work. Those are huge benefits from what I have accomplished.
Here is to continuing to work each day to improve. I am finding joy in the journey. Journey before destination. Let’s get it!
