Exercise more.

These two words have been on my to-do list for years. I have dabbled in it from time to time but not enough to feel honest in crossing it off my list. It's not like I'm horribly out of shape, I just want to feel stronger. I want to be able to do push-ups and pilates without dying. I want to be able to lift heavy objects and open any and every stuck jar lid. I want to feel as though I can defend myself.

I wasn't picked last in gym class but it was pretty close. I was picked 3rd to last because I was known to drop the ball. I was clumsy, I was oblivious, and I was clearly not as cut-throat as the other gals. I was a swimmer though, and spent every day of every summer at the community swimming pool. I took years of lessons and nearly became a lifeguard but I simply wasn't committed to doing all the necessary laps. I still love the water. And I had my bike. I was a bike-ridin' tomboy of a kid. Every day after school me and my bike took off and played with the neighborhood kids 'til the street lights turned on. I want a bike now but I'm afraid to ride it on the city streets. I want a bike trail. I did tennis for awhile and still have my racquet. I want to start playing again.

I joined a gym a few years ago and kept my membership for almost a year. It was Lucille Roberts, the least popular and least expensive gym in town. I did the treadmill and the bike. I did arm weights and took a kickboxing class here and there but the gym atmosphere never motivated me. I never really pushed myself hard enough to see the results I wanted. And it was dull.
I really like yoga, though. When I practice it I can feel what it does to my body. It opens me up and helps me breathe properly. I love to feel the stretch. I need to buy a yoga mat badly.

I'm going running tonight at the park with Christine. This will be the second time and surprisingly the first time wasn't as painful as I was expecting. I did get a cramp in my side but I worked through it and was able to jog/run 3 miles!