Last spring I went hiking with a friend. It wasn’t a particularly difficult trail but I struggled. I was out of breath, my legs were tired, I spent much of the time focusing on how I was holding my friend back and how out of shape and sad I was rather than admiring the beautiful views and nature all around me. Overall, it was an unpleasant, humiliating experience.
Fast forward to a year later. I was feeling a little stir crazy from being cooped up inside for a while due to cold weather (cuz I’m a wimp) and messaged the same friend I went hiking with before and asked if he wanted to go again. He said sure and we met at the same park to hit the same trail, I was hoping this time would be much different than that last – it definitely was.
The experience what night and day! This snail was bookin’ it! I felt great the entire time. When I stopped to admire a particular view it was really because the view was worthy of some extra attention – not to cover that I was gasping for air and needed to take a break. The uphill portions were so much easier and I even had a few moment where I wanted to run (so weird, I really think aliens have taken over my mind sometimes) and I had a wonderful time.
There was no humiliation, no beating myself up about my lack of fitness, and there was so much more enjoyment. I participated in the conversation and didn’t have to try and hide my gasping for air.
If you are just starting in your fitness adventures, take a mental note of an activity you now have some difficulty with and make a point to revisit the exact thing 6 months or a year from now and see how much you have improved. It will be an amazing eye opener and, at least for me, proof that all those miles you fought for are making a huge difference.
Have you noticed how some things have become easier than they used to be now that you’re in better physical shape?
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