8.23.2008

Why do you run?

As I was laying in bed this morning, at the beach, and checking the clock, I started thinking, hmm.. I am at the beach. I LOVE running at the beach, but do I really feel like getting out of bed? It's the weekend, and I can stay in bed and cuddle! I layed there thinking about the nutritionist that I saw earlier this summer. She asked me if I worked out because I felt I had to, or if I truly enjoyed it. I fell in and out of sleep thinking about this, and knew that I would go running but felt somewhat guilty leaving the bed. What usually gets me out of bed is thinking about how I will feel later in the day if I don't run or exercise. It gets hot later on in the day, and usually after sitting out in the sun I am pooped and don't feel like running. But I started thinking, do I make myself run? Would I be happier laying in bed? Do I feel like I have to? Why do I run?

Answers:
I do feel like I have to exercise. Being fit and in shape makes me feel good about myself. It contributes to my confidence. If I don't workout, I don't feel like I am contributing to a healthy body. Working out also makes me feel like I have the right to eat things like pizza, chocolate and ice cream occasionally and not feel bad about it. Am I enjoying every minute of a workout? Swimming with others- yes. Easily. Usually elliptical machines are a drag. Lifting can become boring. Treadmill running, I'm not singing while I'm doing it. I need distractions. But running outside, with other people around, is truly enjoyable. Getting out there - sometimes hard - but is totally worth it once I am out running. Sometimes I dread getting up early in the morning to workout (which will start next week - back to school) but I feel so good the rest of the day, that it drives me out of bed. And knowing that I can RUN to the grocery store or RUN to go pick something up (at least I can do this at the shore right out of the door) makes me feel good!

Why do you run(or exercise)?
Do you feel guilty leaving your spouse or significant other to get up early and feed your body?
Do you love every minute of your workout ?
Do you feel that you have to run/exercise?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

9 comments:

  1. Great post and great questions. Why do I run? In order of priority: Fitness, feels good, I love it (not "addicted", but it's definitely become a part of my life), relieves stress, the challenge.

    As much as I love running, who loves every minute of anything? In my book, that person is either a liar or a freak of nature.

    As you know, I occasionally make running/exercise a family thing. But it is most often alone-time for my wife and I, as we usually run solo while the other hangs with the kids.

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  2. i just love the feeling of running. putting one foot in front of the other, being somewhat in the air. the wind on my face, the air in my lungs and my feet hitting the pavement... i love the endorphins, too. it's also a time that i get to medidate and be free... i guess i run for my physical and mental health! :-)

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  3. I run because I love the feeling of being as fit as possible and of going faster and faster all the time. Not that I'm actually going faster and faster all the time, but even in times of going slow, I know that somehow I'm building base or preventing deterioration that might otherwise occur if I don't run. It's a matter of feeling strong and powerful when I know I'm really fit- craving that feeling. Certinaly I don't have it right now, but I know the 'fit feeling' is coming back at some point, and my quest to stay in shape through my pregnancy reflects my desire to get back to the feeling sooner rather than later after I give birth. :) I definitely don't love it all the time, but I love the 'fit feeling' enough to push myself through (most of) the bad times and eventually I get the high again. When I am super fit, I pretty much love it all the time. ;)

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  4. Why do you run(or exercise)?
    I love it.I love the action itself, I love how it makes me feel...

    Do you feel guilty leaving your spouse or significant other to get up early and feed your body?
    Not normally. Sometimes he guilts me but normally he's too asleep to notice.

    Do you love every minute of your workout ?
    Every minute of every workout? No. But most of it, most of the time for running or bicycling. For weight training, no, only select moments,

    Do you feel that you have to run/exercise?
    I feel like I'd be a mental case if I did not. But mainly it's because I love it. I'd do it even if it wasn't good for weight loss or whatever.

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  5. I think we have to be responsible to our bodies by providing them with the right nutrients and exercise, so yes, I feel I "have" to run just like I "have" to drink enough water, eat my fruits and veggies, etc. However, I do enjoy it too. Not always, but mostly.

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  6. My husband asks me all the time "why do you do this to yourself?" (when I come home from a long run and am wobbling around LMAO!). I say "You either get it or you don't. If you have to ask me, then you just don't "get it"."

    I don't enjoy every minute of my runs or working out, but for the most part I do ;-)

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  7. I feel like I have to run or exercise too. If I don't, I get stressed, irritable and feel horrible. I definately DO NOT feel guilty about leaving anyone behind. Its my time that I need!

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  8. At first I was curious about it when my sis-in-law started it. Then I saw a few people at the gym doing it. But to be honest, you probably won't get this since it sounds like you've never had a weight problem, I did it because it was high intensity and I could work out for a shorter period of time and still get activity points for weight watchers. Being a mommy of three and teacher full time, I have to make the most of my workouts so I started running to get a great workout in the shortest amount of time.
    I did feel guilty if I tried to workout after work. My kids were already in daycare all day and then I want them to go to another one while I exercise? So we got a treadmill for Christmas and I get up at 5 am on work days to run before they get up. That way I don't have the mommy guilt and I get my workout in.

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  9. Why do you run?
    Because I look at the 98% of Americans who are unfit swear that will never be me
    Do you feel guilty leaving your spouse or significant other to get up early and feed your body?
    No, she gets up to run now too
    Do you love every minute of your workout ?
    During the workout, not always. Once I'm done, I love the feeling of completing it 100%
    Do you feel that you have to run/exercise?
    Big fat Yes

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