On the Subject of Exercise
I don't usually find myself compelled to talk about exercise, but today it just so happens that I do. I think a lot of times we get inundated with "you should", "you must" and "shame on you for not" exercising. None of these should be a reason for any individual to start exercising in my humble opinion. Let me share why I feel this way.
I do exercise. My reasons for such are purely selfish. I don't do it to look better, I don't do it to impress anyone, I don't do it because my friends do it (they don't for the most part). The reason I do exercise is because I have a goal to reach. My own goal. I want to be able to hike, paddle or ride anywhere, at anytime, and be ready and fit for it! It's that simple. This single desire, this single goal, compels me to act, compels me to prepare, compels me to exercise.Â
What brought on this desire to talk about exercise? Well, today I broke through, no, smashed through a wall in my exercise routine!  The feeling of reaching my usual stopping point is always good, but today I reached it and kept going, and going! I didn't feel my normal amount of fatigue until four miles later. Four miles more! My goal is that much closer! What an empowering feeling!
I don't expect this to hit home with everybody, but if you're reading this, most likely you are into the outdoors. What's your outdoor goal? Can exercise help you reach it? If you think the answer is yes than start being selfish! Take the time to develop your passion(s). Take the time to improve whatever needs improving. Take the time to invest in yourself. The personal rewards are great and the fringe benefits aren't so bad either!
