I admit that I skip exercising because I automatically remember that I hated gym class. But I need to practice my mental fitness and just do it. My health is too important not to fight to stay fit.
I never thought much about physical activity when I was a child. I liked to play – and once I started school, recess and gym class were fun enough. I preferred other “specials” like art and music, but I don’t remember much about gym class – except for playing with parachutes and having scooter races a couple of weeks out of the school year.
When I started third grade, though, we had a new gym teacher who brought a new approach to gym class. We actually started learning something about physical activity.
At the time, I didn’t realize that I wasn’t gifted in physical ability – but I started to discover it very quickly. Suddenly, gym class wasn’t just a bunch of fun and games. It turned into competition. And instead of just having fun and getting moving, we were tested on our ability – and inability.
Gym class morphed into a physical sort of math class for me: I desperately wanted to perform, but struggled miserably.
Instead of embracing the struggle and working harder, I began to loathe gym class (and math class). I didn’t care if I was one of the last ones picked for kickball, because I absolutely hated the game. And what was the fun of bowling if I couldn’t even figure out how to score it, for pete’s sake?
For the rest of my elementary, middle and high school experience, I dreaded gym class. Physical activity was completely unappealing to me.
Sadly, I’m still prone to keep that same kind of attitude toward physical activity – 30 years after my first negative experience.
Yet the truth of the matter is this: I do really, really enjoy certain kinds of physical activity. I love to dance. (College-level physical education electives were fantastic!!) I like to go on walks. I like aerobic activity. I really, really enjoy strength training. And I love the way I feel after I’m in a good physical activity routine.
The trouble is this: when my adult life is busy, the first thing to go always is physical activity. Not because I don’t want to do it, and not because I don’t think it’s important – because I do. But when I am in busy mode, I skip on exercise because I automatically remember that I hated gym class.
I admit that it is completely idiotic to revert to an elementary school disdain for physical activity. Yet it’s what I naturally do.
This realization has helped me understand that for some people, there may be deeper issues that hinder physical activity or healthy eating.
I also understand that when I’m tempted to skip exercise because I don’t think I like it, I need to practice my mental fitness and just do it. My health is too important not to fight to stay fit.
Did you hate gym class, too … or did you love it? What past experiences hinder you from healthy living?
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Hilary:
Great topic! Your 100% correct – exercise and your health are crucial to your wellbeing. It’s great that you understand your weakness and the situations which might interfere with your physical exercise (busy mode). This way, you can stay motivated and overcome it much easier.
Busy mode is common for me as well, and I am willing to bet, a lot of other people. Thanks again for the inspirational article.
Audrey.
Wow, this struck a chord! I never even realized it until you put it into words! I did not have a good example of healthy living growing up. In school, I remember gym class being fun until about middle school – this is when it became a competition, and the teachers were huge instigators of this behavior. It was also the class that teasing was at its height, and instead of learning to enjoy physical activity, it became a place of shame instead. This is, of course, my own experience; not being very athletic, but always wishing I were, I never felt I would be permitted to join in on sports teams, and there was very little encouragement. I can’t even say that it was one particular teacher, as I went to more schools than there are years in basic education! But now that you have helped me make this connection, maybe I can start reprogramming my internal dialogues! Thank you!