I make no apologies.
I’ve always hated exercise.
It’s tedious.
I beg forgiveness from those of you who are ardent sports enthusiasts, but despite many attempts, nothing’s quite stuck.
Running? Not my style.
Yoga? Too still for me.
Swimming? The chlorine negates any benefits the exercise might offer.
Exercise classes? I hate to be a music snob, but I’ve always found the music to sound like elevator music.
For years my husband and I took ball room dancing, and that’s where I found nirvana. The music, the party atmosphere, the required attention to detail and then oh, the movements…I loved it all.
Unfortunately, this particular exercise requires a partner and my husband is not always willing. So I’ve had to find another way to move after a day on Skype and writing at my keyboard.
Two years ago, we built an acre pond that finally allowed me to find exercise bliss.
The weather here in New York has been gorgeous lately and I’ve had swimming thoughts upon which I’ve recently been acting.
My family completed building a dock last week, hence I don’t need to wade into ankle-deep muck.
So I’m swimming daily!
And it isn’t even boring. We have domestic ducks who quack at me from the marshy side of the pond and the frogs croak out the bass as I paddle by their quarters.
If I go early in the morning, I get a great jump on my day.
I think I’ve found my niche!
I agree. Everyone is different, so really there is no need to beg forgiveness. No offense taken, at least on my part. I think it’s worth a congratulations that you found the right thing for you, and one that you don’t have to depend on a partner for your blissful experience. Good for you! I applaud!
But one thing puzzles me. Ducks quacking from the marshy side I can picture. Frogs croaking out the bass, I don’t quite. Forgive my ignorance. (Though frankly, and to be perfectly honest, ignorance seems to be quite prevalent.)
Enjoy your pond swimming in all the gorgeous weather! Personally, I didn’t mind swimming with the fish at Hanauma Bay, but ordinarily swimming with the fish would not be my thing. That’s just me.
For winter, T-Tapp is pretty painless, and only 15 min a few times/week
Glad to hear you’ve found an exercise that you enjoy enough to do daily. That really is the trick to getting in shape and staying in shape.
Sounds beautiful where you are. When I think of New York I never think of natural habitats. Good to know that they’re alive and quacking up there.
it’s a great thing…to find ones niche!
I love to swim! I wish I had a pond too!
Sometimes it’s the simple pleasures that bring the most enjoyment! Your story serves as a reminder that we can all find a way to move our muscles daily that doesn’t necessarily involve an expensive gym membership or fancy equipment. Thanks for motivating me!
Oh my son would be in heaven if he had your pond in his back yard! Not just for the swimming but for the fishing and frog watching too. I’m so glad he loves the outdoors, and I encourage being outside as much as possible. A great way to get some natural vitamin D too!
I am just like you about the regular forms of exercise! For the past couple years my family has been going on vacations where we can try new things– kayaking, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing and now this summer we tried paddle-boarding and I just love it! I prefer being outside in nature. Now we are seriously planning to move in a few years to a place where we can do all of this regularly!
I too love to cool off with a swim, but don’t love the post-swim part…drying off, showering away the chlorine or pond scum, getting my hair wet when it’s not “shampoo night!” My favorite exercise after a hot summer day is getting out on my deck or back yard during the cooler early evening hours with a pilates or yoga video on the laptop, spread out the mat, and forget the day. A little sweat, a lot of gain! Quick shower and clean jammies, o yea! Like you, I don’t need to go to the gym. Love your blog…please keep them coming!
[...] Get some exercise. I realize how trite this statement sounds, but after years of resisting exercise myself because of [...]