If tomorrow never comes

Next week, next month, next year. We are always putting things off. ‘I’ll do it tomorrow,’ I say. But tomorrow never comes and suddenly, as the week slips out of my hands, I think, I’ll start next Monday.

Monday. It’s a little bit like Groundhog Day isn’t it? Not exactly the most inspiring day of the week. But you have to start somewhere so why not today? Why not Monday?

With Operation Transformation dominating our television screens and an unprecedented focus on health and fitness in the media; it’s hard not to be sucked into the world of treadmills, squats and lycra.

If you’ve never considered yourself a gym bunny before it might be time to reconsider. With the ever-increasing stresses of college assignments (yes, FYP I’m talking about you), work or whatever else might be going on in your head; sometimes the best thing to do is get out of the house, get out of your head, get lost in the music blaring out of your headphones and exercise. Take it out on a treadmill. Literally. Pounding the treadmill, or the roads as it may be, is a sure fire way to release any stress or anger you may be carrying. As well as keeping your heart healthy and pumping oxygen into your system, exercise also helps deplete stress hormones while also releasing mood-enhancing chemicals. It’s a win-win situation!

Just do it!

The all too common excuses such as ‘I’m tired’ or ‘I’m stressed’ should be seen as motivation and not a deterrent.  Too often we get caught in a vicious cycle of all work and no play. We become too tired, too lazy and totally overwhelmed at the thought of actually getting up and moving. In reality, it’s not as bad as you might think. While I’ve been gradually getting back to some sort of level of fitness over the past few weeks, it hasn’t been easy. More often than not I have a mental battle in my head over whether I’ll bother go to the gym today or give it a skip. Sometimes my willpower wins and I go and I feel better, happier, less stressed and more energetic. Sometimes the latter wins and I waste away my evening watching mindless TV programmes, feeling sorry for myself and wishing I got up off my ass and went.

Watching people run a charity 10k, or even a half-marathon, can often leave you wondering how you will ever get to that level of fitness. It can leave you a little envious and a little disheartened. However it’s important to remember that everyone has to start somewhere. Even the likes of Sonia O’Sullivan had to struggle, puffing and panting, before she ever got into the swing of things. The truth is, if you stick with it, running, swimming, football or whatever it may be, does get easier and you will get better. One day you’ll be exercising and you’ll suddenly realise that it’s not as painful or uncomfortable as you once thought it was. Pigs might fly and you might even start to enjoy it! 

Pictures c/o: Pinterest, Twicsy and Indulgy.