Lying Down

What’s the most fun way to exercise?

Seriously I don’t hate exercise, if it’s right I love it. I enjoy walking. I used to run everywhere when I was young, as if I had to race to the future to learn more. But honestly? By the time I’m ready for a gym trip I’m already bored.

The one exercise I stuck to rigidly was Taekwondo. It had the benefit of very much exercising the mind as well as the body. Get the moves right or be ineffectual and probably hurt yourself. Focus is a life saver.

You don’t want to be the black belt that falls over your own feet at the first opportunity. It’s not a good look. It also allows your opponent to win too easily.

I never went in to sparring competitions, I wasn’t good enough, but at least I learned a few useful defences that anyone can use.

It changed me as a person though. I stood taller because I’d done something I’d dreamed of, but as Miss 3” stiletto heels never thought I’d even try, let alone succeed. That taught me something about me.

However, if you suffer from mental health issues, exercise can go one of two ways, either it relaxes the mind or it doesn’t. If it doesn’t it stresses you more.

Gyms bore me witless, some classes are okay, but they didn’t quieten my mind. I guess the message is know thyself and work out thy exercise from there.

The title comes from Pilates, you start off lying down and yet it makes you phenomenally strong. First time in my life that my abs held themselves in.

So for those who hate exercising and getting sweaty, throw in Yoga and/or Pilates, go for a brisk walk a day, and you’ll be pretty much sorted.

Of course there’s always Tai Chi, looks soft, is deadly, but is based very much on mind and emotional soothing and control. It’s the baseline martial art from which all the rest evolved, if I recall correctly.

Exercise, what’s not to love if you find the right exercise for mind, body, and spirit? It’s important that all elements of the self are positively affected by exercise.

Love feeling good in all aspects of the self, and life.

Deb xx