Why I Quit Exercising

Before we moved to OKC, I was exercising 4-5 times a week. I had a running buddy I was running with once a week. I was lifting weights at the Y. I was doing Zumba. I felt good about myself and my weight. I was in shape!

Then we moved…to another state. That is tough! Moving across town is one thing, but to another state…it’s just more stressful. I got out of the habit of exercising regularly. I tried to run a few times a week, but it was difficult to find time to while we were getting settled in and I was trying to find a job. Then a great opportunity presented itself to me. I was able to purchase a one-year membership to a gym, for only $45. And I could bring Jim with me every time I went! I thought this is it; this is the push we need to get back in shape. So we started going a few times a week, and I felt awesome! I could walk up the stairs at work and not get out of breath. 🙂

But then winter came, and winter makes people lazy. (In reality, that’s just a lazy excuse). At this point we had been trying to get pregnant for over a year. And what I really thought in the back of my mind was, what if my exercising is keeping us from conceiving? I’ve read it is possible that strenuous exercise can do that. So I told myself and others that I stopped going to the gym because it was cold. But I think I really stopped going because I was afraid. I wanted to do everything in my power to make sure my body could conceive.

Recently, I’ve noticed I haven’t been feeling so great. I am out of breath after walking up the stairs at work. I don’t have as much energy as I used to. My metabolism is slowing down, which is most likely just a wonderful result of aging. I’ve gained a little weight and now weigh more than I ever have before. Not that I think I’m overweight, I just know I can be healthier and could stand to lose about ten pounds. I’m tired of telling myself I can’t exercise because it might hinder my chances of becoming pregnant. I HAVE to take care of myself and do what makes me happy. And right now, I am not happy with the shape I am in. So I’ve decided to start working out again.

My brother-in-law inspired me to order a free No Days Off calendar from Track Smith. It’s meant to encourage you to run every day, but I am taking it to mean do SOMETHING once a day. Instead of sitting on my butt watching TV, get out and go for a walk. Or do sit-ups and pushups. Or workout to Zumba on the Wii. I haven’t been doing something everyday, but I’m doing more than I was. Today I went walking/jogging outside for the first time in over six months, and it felt amazing!! I’m sore, but it’s the good kind of sore. I am not pushing myself to my limits, because I don’t want to do anything strenuous since I do still worry about it affecting me getting pregnant, but at least I’m working out again.

What I’ve learned from this is….I cannot put my life on hold. I can plan for a baby, which I think we’ve done an excellent job of, but I can’t stop living. I can’t not go on vacation just because I won’t get my fertility meds from the doctor that month. I can’t put off my kitchen remodel that I am dying for because I’m worried it will use up too much of our house savings and we might need that for the baby later. I can’t not plan trips and Taylor Swift concerts seven months in advance because I think, what if I’m pregnant and have to cancel? I can’t not go out to eat because we need to save money for medical bills that may arise. And I can’t not exercise. So I’m going to do things that make me happy. I will not keep putting things off while hoping and waiting for a baby. Because what if I do and then I never get to do those things? I’m not saying I should always get to do what I want, but that I need to live life, make ME happy every once in a while, and not put my life on hold. So that is what I’m going to do, and I’m starting with exercise.