Working Out: More Than Exercise

When Life Opens an Unexpected Door

For the past six months, I’ve been working at a middle school, and I absolutely love the job.

To be honest, I never thought I’d work in the school system, let alone at a middle school.

What happened?

The job practically fell right into my lap.

My friend works at the school as the principal’s assistant, and when a position opened up, I jumped at the chance. Two weeks later, I started working.

It was a godsend that came at just the right time, and I’m really happy with it. I go to work with a smile and can look back on the day with a smile when I go home.

My job is to be there for classes that are rowdy and for students who need extra support, and it’s absolutely fantastic. The teachers can devote more time to teaching, and the gratitude they show is wonderful.

One Word Can Mean Many Things

Every Friday afternoon, I spend four periods teaching physical education to two classes, and a lot of extra support is needed to make the lessons work.

During the first week, the students were asked to say a word that fit the context of exercise.

The responses varied widely.

From “joy” to “loss of energy.”

Isn’t it interesting that we can view the same thing in so many different ways?

One wonderful teacher says her body isn’t built for sports and that she’s never liked them.

Perhaps that is exactly where the conversation needs to begin.

What does movement mean to each of us?

For Me, Exercise Is a Lifestyle

For me, exercise is a lifestyle.

Throughout my life, I’ve always been active in one way or another.

My two pregnancies put a stop to that for many months, and they have left their mark on my body.

But discipline, setbacks, adversity, frustration, strength, willpower, and a fighting spirit have helped me overcome two foot surgeries, hip problems, broken toes, a broken sacrum, and inflammation in various parts of my body.

Who can do that if not me?

No one.

I’m a driving force.

The Body and the Brain Work Together

Exercise is essential for both the body and the mind.

The two go hand in hand, and one cannot thrive without the other.

Many people forget — or, to put it bluntly, almost ignore — the fact that the brain also needs mental stimulation and challenges.

The brain controls everything we do, and fortunately, much of this happens automatically.

Otherwise, very little would get done.

Being active is therefore about more than moving the body. It is also about keeping ourselves mentally engaged, challenged, and curious.

Investing Our Energy Wisely

How can we motivate each other to ensure that we invest and allocate our energy wisely?

How can what we do today benefit us in the long run?

It is about building on something sustainable and stable — something we can rely on.

Much of it lies within us.

It is about realizing what we do for, with, and against our bodies and brains.

Keep Learning, Even When It Frustrates You

I love learning, and I do it every day.

Today, for example, I was trying to create my new website for an editorial space where I’ll be posting articles covering topics from A to Z.

I was pulling at my already very thin, summer-blonde hair and breathing heavily in frustration.

Finally, I got answers to one of my questions.

I’ll need to come back to this in a few days once some pages have been linked together.

But that is also part of being active.

Trying.

Struggling.

Learning.

Coming back to it.

And trying again.

Strength Is Built Through Experience

My body has gone through many trials, and it has drawn a great deal of strength over the years.

Yet here I stand, stronger than I’ve ever been.

Yesterday, my husband and I worked out together for an hour, and it makes me so happy when we do that.

Afterward, we went swimming in the lake a few hundred meters away.

I’m always amazed at how wonderful it is to glide through the water. I feel enveloped by something as soft as cotton.

We did the same thing again today.

And it gives me strength and stamina, energy, and inner joy — so much so that I want to start all over again.

Right now.

At this very moment.

What If We Moved Beyond the Screen?

So how can we get others to feel the same way and realize that life is more than just idleness and laziness — and that a click on a screen shouldn’t be our guiding light?

Since I’ve always been an active person myself, I don’t understand those who dislike physical activity so much that they see it as the worst possible way to spend their time.

They’d rather hold a remote control in their hand and let their bodies practically fall into disrepair.

I know we’re all different, and I understand that it has to be that way.

But at the same time, I’d love to see more people understand the importance — and the wonder — of physical activity.

Try Something You Are Not Used To

It is not only about physical activity.

It is also about learning to dare to try new things.

Doing things other than what we are used to doing.

Sometimes we stubbornly insist that the things we already do are the best things for us.

But there are many wonderful things we can give ourselves for free, even if they initially feel difficult or unappealing.

It pays off in the long run.

And if a baby can learn to walk around the age of one with a lot of hard work behind it, so can adults.

We Can Make Positive Changes

We are all different.

We have different bodies, different histories, different interests, and different starting points.

But that doesn't mean we have to remain where we are.

If we want to, we can make and maintain positive changes.

Sometimes it starts with something very small.

One walk.

One new activity.

One challenge.

One decision to move instead of remain still.

One decision to learn instead of assume we already know.

The body and mind are both waiting to be activated.

Start where you are. Keep going. And give yourself the chance to discover what you are capable of.