exercise…

**The following article was written by guest contributor, Beverly Schaefer.**

I don’t think I know of anything that I do with such an enthusiasm and vengeance and yet so quickly and seemingly easily given up.  When I am on a routine of exercise, there is not much I would rather do. I think I would rather exercise than eat and I love to eat.

Unfortunately, the drive and determination can just as easily be lost. Just let anything, anything enter that allotted time frame and prevent me from my daily schedule for more than one day and it is lost. Initially, I tell myself it is okay. I have valid reasons for not getting to the gym and I do. Then the days go into a week and then longer. Before you know it, it feels like a previous life.

Then comes the struggle to bring it back. I know I want it; I miss it. I still try to eat my meals with the same healthy planning but even that also loses some of its importance. My biggest problem comes when I can’t tell myself, “I can do it.” for more than one day. I have to know that I am going to be able to continue. Otherwise, it’s just another day I don’t go to the gym.

I have now entered the guilt phase of returning to exercise. When I am guilty I condemn myself. How can I write about the advantages when I am not doing it (and I love to write)? How can I convince myself I am living healthy when I am not doing all that I know I should? And yet I know the importance of diet and exercise. When I am living it, it is exciting!

My dumbbells are back in the office so I can at least do some exercises while I am working, but that is not going to be enough. I know I am only half-stepping. I am soon going to be back in the gym; I can feel it.  I can only take my own abuse so long.