Exercise is BLISS!!

I absolutely love working out!! Exercise is one of humanity's greatest discoveries. It is an acquired discipline that soon becomes a favorite pastime. Increasing energy and endorphin levels, exercise is like an all-natural drug with the advantages of gained physical fitness and improvement in strength, endurance, and overall health.

When I was in jr. high and high school, physical education was not my forte. In fact, P.E. was definitely one of my least favorite subjects. In my pre-adolescent years and throughout puberty, I was a skinny, scrawny being who was also among the taller ones of my classmates. I even had a nickname my friends in jr. high gave me... "Olive Oil"... you know, "Popeye the Sailor Man's" girlfriend, because I was tall and skinny and frequently wore my hair up in a bun. LOL!! It was a pet name and a term of endearment, but certainly didn't allude to any attributes of physical beauty. While many girls my age were developing full bodies, I was barely sporting a training bra. As a child, I had suffered asthma, and although it completely disappeared when I moved to Florida, because of it, I never had strengthened my heart with any type of sustained cardiovascular activity. On top of all this, I was still an awkward teenager dealing with many insecurities. Introverted and shy, whenever I had to perform physically in front of my peers, I would shrink on the inside feeling very inadequate and incompetent. Oh sure, around friends I was familiar with, it was all gravy; I loved playing tackle and touch football with my block friends, and dance was a inherent musical part of me, a lot more rhythmic and mathematical. But athletics at school, and especially in front of "popular" crowds, was total torture. HA! Looking back it all seems so silly, and if it was me now, I would have probably been a jock!! But as it goes, it wouldn't be until I was 20 that I would start learning to deeply appreciate and enjoy exercising.

After spending two years bingeing on nachos and popcorn at my sister's house, I found myself in Orlando, out of shape and not cute. I was beginning to feel more comfortable in my own skin and was becoming more aware and caring of what I looked like. I gradually started to work out more often, and I even joined a gym for the first time. Then as I left Orlando in pursuit of a career in the entertainment industry, being fit became a requirement beyond just a preference. Even still, it wasn't until living in Los Angeles where the weather is nearly perfect all year, encouraging plenty of outdoor sports and activities, that I really attempted to reach an ultimate level of fitness. I began jogging 3 years ago. I remember I couldn't make it to the end of the block without being pitifully out of breath. I thought, "How in the world do people do this?!" I remember the first time I ran an entire mile, and I felt so victoriously triumphant!! Then, I ran two, then three, then four miles!! WOW! To me, it was a serious accomplishment! Trying to run the "under 12 minute" mile in school sucked!! Now, it was a thrill! I decided to train with my best friend to participate the L.A. marathon in 2008. Although my training was interrupted, I didn't want to back out, so we did it anyway. It was brutal!! We walked/jogged the whole thing. Seniors were passing us LOL! It was hysterical but inspiring beyond measure. Lord willing, I will be able to stay that active and determined as I age! We completed the marathon in about 7 hours and a half. Every inch of me was sore that week; I could barely walk. I realized how crucial proper training is. I plan to run it again when I can train properly, and my goal is to make it under 5 hours. I can only be proud I finished it at all, because it was a massive bitch!! LOL!!

Now, I continue my weekly workout routine which has recently incorporated weight training and slightly diminished in the area of cardio. I have become a fanatic of interval training including sprints and jumprope. Eventually, I'd also like to further explore plyometrics, spinning, kick-boxing and other types of intense training. During the summer, it was too hot to run outside, but now that it is cooler, I can't wait to jog again. Exercise is one of those things that doesn't come naturally; however, once the habit is formed, it becomes an essential lifestyle. It is well worth the effort to feel good about yourself... that you are striving to be the best YOU can be, not better than or comparing yourself to anyone else. Anybody will feel more confident when they know they are making progress, even if it is not drastic or overnight. I know personally, when I slack off and allow longer periods of time to go without exercising, I become lethargic and unmotivated. Exercise infuses energy and stamina as well as increased positivity to me. I feel vigorous and alive! Besides the many health benefits of working out, it's a great way to let off steam and release tension; and who doesn't want to look and feel better, lovelier, tighter and less flabby?! It is also a great way to practice self discipline and self control; it is important to take loving care of your body, as well as all its vital functions. I am so thankful that I have the ability to do it... the legs to carry me and the arms to lift... small things we take for granted, but others that don't, wish they had.

Thank you God for exercise and the ability to do it!! Peace out... I'm off to the gym ;)

Happy workout everybody!!