Run Faster, Jump Higher.

I tell friends that if I could maintain a normal weight and pretty good health without exercise and a proper diet, I would lie on the couch and eat chips, drink beer and watch TV most of the time. I don’t really mean it, though that option would be nice to have at times. Over the years, physical activity of the sweat-making variety and preparing and eating healthy foods have become essential to my emotional well-being.

When we were kids, though, it was all about being able to run faster, jump higher. The exercise motivation was the action, and the dietary motivation was mom: if she makes it you eat it, if she says no to snacks, then no snacks! Now? It's all about fitting into stylish clothes, being seen as "normal" if not "attractive" and keeping old age and health problems at bay. But maybe it's fun too? And is getting better and better at something you enjoy fun too?

Part of what I’d like to learn through this (what is it really?) writing is about physical activity – motivation, feelings, successes, failures, etc. For now, most of the motivation is looks, followed by that great feeling afterward – like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer? It feels so good when you stop?

Another thing to explore is cooking/meals/dieting. Why is food such a big deal? And is preparing and eating healthy stuff as much fun as oh, say, a full-fat, full-calorie red velvet cake?

Off I go to ponder. And, I hope, to learn.