I have adopted a moderate approach to exercise, a lesson that took me considerable time to grasp. In a culture that often glorifies extreme fitness achievements, simply being okay at something rarely brings recognition. When I visit the gym every couple of weeks, the manager, an affable individual, greets me with a light-hearted, “Good to see you again!” I understand the sentiment. I’m like a rare creature in the fitness realm—somewhat out of shape, a bit scruffy, and infrequently spotted. While this used to fill me with guilt, I’ve come to accept it. In fact, I now believe that easing off on my exercise routine is a sign that I’ve finally grasped the essence of maintaining fitness.
To elaborate, I was quite athletic in my youth, but college led me down a different path—a passionate commitment to smoking. I relished every puff, fully aware of its harmful effects. Growing up in the ’80s, smoking was a norm among my peers, and it became part of my identity. If you knew me, you knew I was a smoker. As a result, athleticism took a backseat. Running a mile felt as daunting as scaling a mountain, and attempting it would likely have required emergency assistance.
After quitting smoking, I felt inspired to utilize my newfound lung capacity to build some cardiovascular endurance. I signed up for a five-mile race and began training. In retrospect, that first race was a chaotic affair. I started too quickly and had to pause before even reaching the first mile, struggling for breath. The rest of the race was a painful cycle of sprinting and gasping. Yet, upon finishing, I experienced an exhilarating rush. I couldn’t believe I had crossed the finish line.
Encouraged, I registered for more races, gradually learning to pace myself. The miles became slightly less torturous, and I even picked up speed. However, there was a persistent hitch: I didn’t particularly enjoy running; in fact, I loathed it. So, to reward myself for enduring the races, I would take an extended break, doing nearly nothing until I felt sluggish enough to register for another race, repeating this cycle.
After having children, I believed that setting a more ambitious goal would help me shed the baby weight, so I signed up for a sprint triathlon. I joined a training group, got a bike, and learned about transitions. I incorporated interval training and brick workouts into my routine. On triathlon day, my preparation paid off. Despite a panic attack during the swim, I performed better than expected and felt fit and strong. Who wouldn’t want that feeling? I immediately signed up for another triathlon. The only issue was that the next race was a year away. With no immediate goal, I quickly fell back into unhealthy habits, allowing my workout gear to collect dust throughout the winter, ultimately finding myself back at square one come spring. This cycle continued, with each triathlon leaving me feeling increasingly resigned to the post-race slump.
As time passed, my workouts and races became less enjoyable. Any exercise I managed to fit into my busy schedule was overshadowed by my inability to stick to a consistent routine. Each race emphasized not my achievements, but my shortcomings. The last few races I completed relied solely on sheer willpower, and crossing the finish line felt more like a relief than a triumph.
A couple of years ago, I decided to stop signing up for races and canceled my gym membership, accepting a ten-pound weight gain. I resigned myself to the notion that perhaps I simply wasn’t cut out to be an athlete.
And perhaps that’s true. I’m not an athlete. My mistake was believing that to be “fit,” I had to compete in races and accumulate medals and bibs. But fitness doesn’t require that. Now in my mid-40s, I realize I’ve never truly been an athlete, although I have a body capable of mimicking one when necessary. The key point of exercising is not competition; it’s about maintaining health. I can do this through simple activities like taking the stairs, incorporating more walking into my daily life, attending yoga classes, enjoying walks with friends, jogging in pleasant weather, and occasionally hitting the gym when time allows. This mindset may not earn me accolades, but I don’t need them. My priority is to keep my body functioning well for many more decades, and it seems that reducing stress and doing less is exactly the type of exercise I need.
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In summary, embracing moderation in exercise has led to a healthier relationship with fitness. Rather than striving for competition, focusing on enjoyable and manageable activities is key to long-term wellness.