A Better Way

There were two posts on my Facebook wall yesterday. One said, "Finally, I found a bumper sticker for me!" with this image:

Comments underneath were all positive and included other quotes and memes, like, "If I'm running, you'd better start running too, because there's probably a bear chasing me."

And the other person apologized for the exercise post "because no one wants to see it" but said that she had a great time at the gym and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and she was really proud of how hard she was working and the results she could see there.  

So I probably don't speak for everyone, but let me set the record straight. We don't post our run times, our races, our healthy smoothie recipes, and our workout regimens because we're bragging (ok, yes, we are probably bragging a little bit). And it's not because we're judging you or trying to make you feel bad that you didn't run 9 miles yesterday and 8 today, in the rain, uphill both ways, while being chased by a bear. 

We post because we're excited. Working out is addicting. It's the best feeling in the world, like when you get the new toy/gadget/phone upgrade/car/whatever your thing is and you want to share it with everyone because this technology would change their life!!!! Whether you're a runner or a gym rat or an Insanity follower, you find a new community and a new definition for yourself. You bond with the people who understand what you're talking about, and laugh at the outsiders who can't understand your Cross Fit lingo. You find a place where you belong and where other people have the same goals you do -- and for once, your goals are healthy and make your life better. 

Speaking for the runners, I identify with the slogan that says, "No matter how slow you're going, you're lapping everyone on the couch," because I'm slow, but you know what? I'd rather have the people on the couch GET UP and GET OUT THERE and RUN WITH ME!!! Because I know the secret: If I did it, YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!!! 

And here's the final reason we post (at least, for this blog post): we don't want to get out of bed at 5 am, when it's still dark, either. We don't really have the time to run all those miles. We don't want to do the extra mountain of laundry that comes from all this hard work and dedication. We want to do the same thing you want to do: sit on our lazy, fat asses and watch The Biggest Loser. 

Everywhere we go, we see the same messages you do: EAT, EAT, EAT. Food makes you happy. Exercise is unnecessary. Try a quick weight-loss solution instead. Here, have this bumper sticker that makes it look like you're proud that you didn't find time to take care of yourself today. Because eating right is inconvenient and getting out the door is sometimes the hardest part of the workout. Carving out time in your busy schedule is a challenge, and you might have to give up something else you enjoy doing. 

So we post our workouts on Facebook, because every "like" is someone who's saying, "I agree with what you're doing. You've found a better way." And every comment is someone who acknowledges that it may not be easy, but you made the right choice. And maybe, just maybe, someone else might lace up their shoes and jog to the end of the block. And tomorrow they'll go a little further, and eventually they'll be able to run a mile, and then 3 miles, and then 10, 13.1, 26.2...and they'll earn that bumper sticker.

Putting that the bumper sticker you earned on your car makes you feel far better than that 0.0 that anyone can claim. Don't settle. Reach for the better version of yourself that all we "annoying" excercise posters know is in there. I promise you'll get our "likes."