As I secured my hair in a tight bun and slipped on my stained and worn Nike running shoes, I thought to myself, “Do you really want to do this?”
The more reasonable side of me responded quickly and clearly.
“Yes, you want to do this, whether you know it or not.”
I emerged from my poorly lit dorm and into the sunlight. I felt instantly renewed. Once my feet hit the pavement and began to run, my journey had begun.
Enthusiasm for health and wellness is hardly a rarity at IU.
On any given day, one can witness a medley of students, faculty and area residents stretching, crunching, lifting and pedaling their ways to slender, muscular perfection.
Dining halls and c-stores carry an ever-expanding array of nutritious fare, and many display informational cards and posters with healthy tips and tidbits of inspiration.
Whether they’re working up a sweat in the SRSC or shopping for produce at the Union Street c-Store or going elsewhere for their fitness- and nutrition-based needs, it’s clear that a decent number of IU community members are making the welfare of their bodies a top priority.
This might lead the average couch potato to ask, “Why?”
Why bother with making oneself uncomfortably sweaty and out of breath?
In a nation of endless food options, why would someone willingly pass up rainbow sprinkle donuts in favor of granola and yogurt, or trade in cheesy, deep-dish pizza for grilled chicken and greens?
The motivations of health-conscious individuals are varied. To some, competition is a factor: Athletes want to be as fit as possible for their upcoming road races, triathlons and Little 500 stints.
Potato chips and endless hours of lounging around watching reruns of Jersey Shore or America’s Next Top Model simply won’t get them in tip-top shape.
Many, especially as spring break draws near, are seeking to improve their physical appearances. And then there are others striving for something quite different.
These individuals make the conscious decision to live healthfully for a reason that I believe is the most noble of all: personal happiness.
I’ll admit, I’ve possessed a secret desire to lose 10 pounds or so for a while now. It gets frustrating trying to find that perfect pair of flattering skinny jeans, and as a result I somehow imagine that paring down my pear-shaped body will make life better and easier.
At the very bottom of my heart I know when it comes down to it, whether I’m curvy or svelte won’t make me more or less happy and content at my core. However, what does seem to be leading me to true happiness is learning to love and care for my well-being.
Calorie-counting and strict workout schedules may have helped me shed pounds in the past, but they always felt like chores with endless sources of guilt.
This is why I believe so many people are turned off from living healthy lifestyles: The approach is completely skewed.
Actions are viewed negatively, i.e. “What can I get rid of?” (pounds, calories, insecurity, etc.) rather than “What can I gain?” (an energy boost, newfound confidence, a sense of accomplishment, etc.).
When we view health and wellness in such negative terms, we focus on one aspect of ourselves — the physical — while completely neglecting our emotional, spiritual and mental health.
Striving for Natalie Portman’s or Jennifer Aniston’s body type has never made me satisfied or content with myself.
I will never look like them because I’m not them, and that’s quite all right.
What I am is someone trying to live positively: to eat fruits and veggies instead of donuts because I feel good when I do — and because my body would much prefer nourishing vitamins and minerals to a mid-morning sugar crash.
I hit the pavement to run because it’s a beautiful day, and I know that once I wrap up that last mile, the combination of hard-earned sweat and endorphins will be one of the most satisfying feelings imaginable.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a fitness guru or perfect eater. You won’t see me running a marathon anytime soon, and I love sweets and indulgent treats just as much as the next person. I’m not skinny, and I’m not a saint when it comes to health and wellness.
My journey to the best, most healthy me has its ups and downs, but through developing a positive, happiness-centered ambition, the journey has never been so promising.
So next time you’re sitting around feeling wistful or wishing you were one way or another, consider transforming that negative thought or feeling into a positive action. Hop on your bike. Make a tasty fruit salad for dinner. Check out a free class like Zumba or trekking at the SRSC.
And most importantly, don’t think of your new journey as joining the hoard of IU calorie-burners and fitness enthusiasts. Think of it as joining the masses of
fellow happiness seekers.
E-mail: kabeasle@indiana.edu
