Why do you workout? For me, this question has always been a no brainer. After a sweat sesh, I feel energized, confident, and positive. I workout because it makes me feel empowered and unstoppable. I workout because it calms my mind and elevates my mood (my husband agrees). I workout because I want to set a good example for others. I workout because______(fill in the blank). One of the most valuable things I have learned on my fitness journey is what exercise can do for me mentally. The myriad physical benefits of exercise are well documented (and all over Instagram), but rarely do I find myself having conversations with others around how a class has made me feel more confident, beautiful, and supported. In 2007, I trained for and conquered my first Marathon in Chicago. While prepping my body for 26.2 miles I had my doubts. There were days I really just didn’t want to push through a long run in the heat. Family and friends told me it was okay to quit, but I pressed onward. To this day, running the Chicago marathon is one of my biggest accomplishments. I can remember my mom jumping up and down at mile eight, twenty-one, and finally, at the finish line. My bib is still framed ten years later.From marathons and bikini competitions to yoga teacher training, exercise has taught me a tremendous amount about myself. Fitness is more than achieving a certain number. Fitness is a catalyst for change and personal growth, and from my own journey I have learned five key things.

Five Things Exercise Has Taught Me

Community

I started playing soccer when I was five-years-old. Back then scrunchies were a thing and the sprint towards the goal line was more of a clump of a small children running in circles. I went on to play soccer for twelve years, and I credit my time on the field for teaching me the value of teamwork. Soccer is a team sport. There may be a few “star players,” but not even David Beckham can cover everyone. As a member of the team I learned the importance of showing up. My teammates were dependent on me for support, encouragement, and giving 100% on the field. The team becomes your family and community. My fitness journey has taught me so many amazing things about the power of community and a team. Having a support system is one of the most important factors in long-term health and fitness success. It’s the accountability, encouragement, motivation, and competition that pushes me and keeps me coming back. While I try to experience as many of the gyms and studios in San Diego as possible at least once, I keep coming back for the people. 

Fitness is a Journey

There is no such thing as a “quick fix” when it comes to your health and wellness. There are thousands of diet and exercise programs out there that promise results, but very few that deliver on long-term success. Substituting fresh and nutritious food with shakes, pushing your body through two-a-days, and avoiding any and all carbohydrates is not only dangerous, but mentally taxing. I’ve done all of these. Any sort of transformation or journey requires time and introspection. Why do we want to change? If it’s not about change, what is the goal? To run a 5k? Stay active throughout pregnancy? There must be a true desire to change and/or tackle a new challenge. For me, I’ve been working to identify the reasons I’ve sought physical change in the past and how that has evolved. What can I do now in my current fitness journey to support myself not only physically, but mentally? Five years ago fitness to me was about fitting into my skinny jeans and looking good in a bikini. Now, my journey has evolved. It’s about nourishment, confidence, and growth.

Patience

I remember my first yoga class in Chicago. I rolled out my mat, plopped down, and looked around the room. So now what do I do? I remember feeling awkward, out of place, and a bit confused by the words the instructor was using (sanskrit). But I came back week after week. Slowly I caught on to the poses, cues, and breath. A few months later I didn’t look so out of place anymore. In fact, I started to feel like a real yogi.Everyone starts somewhere. Whether it’s your first class or your hundredth I cannot express the importance of patience. Yoga, like most types of exercise, is a practice, and even the most experienced practitioners will work for years on certain poses and may never master them.

Listen to Your Body

Do what makes you feel good. In my teens and early 20s I could roll out of bed and spin for two hours, head out for a ten mile run, and maybe even follow it up with a hot yoga class. Well, I’m exhausted thinking about that now :) As we age it becomes even more important to listen to our bodies. If you have the energy and desire to work out again later in the day, go for it. But, if you feel you need the extra time to rest and recover, do it. Recently I’ve started breaking up my training sessions, ensuring I have more low-intensity/rest days mixed in with higher intensity workouts. My body has been craving some extra sleep, long walks with my dog, and a mellow yoga flow. It’s all about listening to your body and doing what’s best for you. When we ignore those feelings we not only open ourselves up to exhaustion and injury, we start to view those same workouts as a chore, rather than something we enjoy. There is no reason you “have to” go to spin. You should want to. You do you.

Celebrate Your Victories

Celebrate yourself for all of your hard work. Did you finish your first 5k? Take your first Pilates class? Meet a new friend at yoga? All too often we critique ourselves instead of celebrating! Rather than “I could have done that faster,” think “wow, I am getting better every time!” Give yourself permission to celebrate! My fitness journey is constantly evolving. Every year I set one new physical goal for myself. Big or small, it’s an opportunity to tackle something new. I rely on the community, I listen to my body, I practice patience, and celebrate the mini victories along the way. Exercise has taught me so many amazing things about myself and my body. What has exercise taught you? I’d love if you could share below!Xoxo,Erica