Getting Fit Physically and Emotionally: One Idea That Works!

When I moved to Colorado years ago to be with the man that I eventually married, I found a new way of looking at exercise and being fit. I moved from Texas where often times it was too hot to exercise outside. The popular thing to do was to "go to lunch" or "go to dinner." In other words, socializing was centered around eating. People would go to the gym or run outdoors but that was usually separate from social interaction.

Moving to the mountains in Colorado was different where all socializing is centered around exercise. It took some time to get used to. instead of going out to lunch, we hike up a mountain. I wasn't in shape physically in the beginning but what I learned first was that I liked to exercise even more because it revolved around talking and being with friends. A positive emotional experience became associated with exercise. In a sense, I became emotionally fit even before I became physically fit.

I also learned to try new things. The day my car rolled into Colorado, my husband, Art, (boyfriend at the time) handed me roller blades, a mountain bike and hiking shoes. I had never roller bladed and believe me, THAT was a funny thing to watch. I was horrible, but the more I did it, the better I got. It was also incredible exercise. We laughed a lot as we did it and once again it was something we did together and despite the fact that I wasn't good, I loved doing it with Art.

For the past five years we are both doing Bikram Yoga together. We both like heat so it was a perfect match. We often have our "date night" be going to yoga, then stopping off at a restaurant afterward for a bar menu. Once again, the key is that positive feelings surround the exercise. I get emotionally fit and physically fit at the same time.

Here is a suggestion for getting fit to where the emotional and physical coincide:

Try to find physical activities that are associated with positive feelings. If you are social, find a physical sport to do with others you enjoy. A friend of mine walks very early in the morning with some other moms before the kids wake up. In the winter they all go to a spinning (bike) class together. If you like alone time, put your head phones on to a book on tape while you exercise. Create your own joy with the exercise.


For two more ideas, CONTINUE READING "Getting Fit Physically and Emotionally: Three Ideas that Work!" ON INTENT.COM

By Allison Daily on Intent.com
Allison Daily is the co-author of Out of the Canyon: A True Story of Loss and Love (Harmony, May 2009). She and husband Art Daily wrote the book together after suffering individual tragedies and then finding hope in their healing. Allison is co-director of Pathfinder Angels, a non-profit that helps cancer patients and others with health needs. She is also the bereavement counselor at Aspen Valley Hospital. She has written for Living with Loss publication and Beliefnet.com. Her favorite thing in life is being with her husband and two boys. They give her spirit a freedom and passion she thrives on!

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