Last week’s post asked you what motivated you to exercise. Please know that when I ask questions, I want to know your answers. I learn from you. I was tickled when Karen, cohost of Buddha and the Bean’s Tuesday morning group, used my question to lead off our weekly discussion.
Members jumped in to share experiences and I learned a couple of things I want to share with you.
Karen shared she is motivated to exercise because if she didn’t walk in the morning, she would miss seeing her neighbors and their pets. She continued, “I don’t want to miss anything!”
Matt was passionate about a new discovery he had made: He now uses exercise as a way to practice one of Buddhism’s central teachings, compassion. Matt described how sometimes in the past he was critical of himself when he didn’t use the proper form or do the correct number of repetitions during his exercise sessions. He would then criticize himself and want to stop exercising all together. Once he decided to have compassion for himself, he began to use positive self-talk because he realized it was his essential humanness he was facing and he needed to be patient with himself.
He also shared that sometimes he uses exercise as a distraction – a way to get himself out of his habitual mind chatter.
Someone, I regret to say that I don’t remember who, said that they have largely let go of the physical reasons for exercise, and now concentrate on what feels good to their body. Two people mentioned that exercise helps them deal with their chronic pain.
I think it is fair to say that we all want to exercise because at some level we know how much better we feel when we do. But how inspiring is it to exercise? Knowing that making my heartbeat faster for a certain number of minutes will make my physical heart healthier is not particularly inspirational for me.
What inspires me? This week I would have to say that the group’s answers inspired me. My new trainer also continues to be an inspiration when she shares her knowledge of strength training with me, and with a giggle, agrees that lifting weights can sometimes be boring. So I ask you again, what inspires you to exercise?
IMAGE: I don’t know what motivated this daisy plant to be so prolific but I am so happy regardless of the reasons. Daisys are so cheerful!
