Article by Wendy McCance
It’s gorgeous outside. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and there isn’t a cloud in the sky. The temperature is supposed to get to 80 degrees today. Summer is upon us and I am going to want to wear much less clothing. It’s time to tone up and begin exercising.
During the winter I huddle in my home dressed in warm layers doing a variety of sedentary activities. I’ll watch movies, read books, write and do a little cooking. Exercise does not cross my mind. Right around the New Year, I’ll make plans to start getting back into an exercise routine. I’ll drag my feet for a few more weeks and then slowly get moving. This lasts about two weeks if I’m extra motivated. I’ll decide I still have time to work in some exercise before spring hits and I’ll go back to my lazy ways.
Thank goodness I am a little vain. Vanity saves my health to some degree. It’s what reminds me to get moving when I feel like a slob. It makes me more mindful of my eating habits as well. Whenever my skin or hair looks dull and my stomach begins to look bloated I’ll focus on better food choices.
I tackle my health in the laziest of lazy ways. exercise for me is much easier in warmer weather because I love being outside and staying active. I’ll ride my bike every day with no problem. I enjoy walking, tennis, swimming and canoeing. Summer is great because it’s so much easier to find ways to stay active and have fun doing it. I am not a person who enjoys the gym. It’s stressful to worry about what to wear, and how you look using a machine. I shouldn’t care because I am doing this for me and not other people, but I do get self-conscious. The gym machines are sooo boring and who wants to be stuck indoors, anyway?
So here I am revving up for the changing season. Just remember, when you look in the mirror and are hard on yourself, thank the fact that you are a tad bit vain. If you listen to your thoughts and act on them, vanity can save your health.
Wendy McCance
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Oh yes, I am with you, gym is deadly boring! Here in this part of Europe we have 90+ degree days, so I am just looking at how do I get to a pretty lake where I can be daytime.
Andrea, a pretty lake sounds like heaven!
I hate gym’s also. The treadmill is, as you said, SOOO boring. I love to walk and be in my garden. I was walking everyday up until a few weeks ago when I came down with a really bad flu which I am still recovering from. Just as you said, because of my own personal vanity I have been working to get back to my walking. Thanks for the reminder that in the end it really is for ourselves.
I hope you are feeling better. There is nothing like a good walk on a beautiful day to lift your spirits.
It’s amazing to me how we can instinctively do what is best for our health. I had a similar thought and wrote in a Hubpages article, http://vamash.hubpages.com/hub/Unexpected-Benefits. Sometimes it takes a few years to really see what you’ve accomplished. Stay vain and happy!
Hi Valorie,
I really appreciated your comment. I’ll have to check out your link. Thanks!
I readily tell people I’m a vain woman. I think it’s wonderful to admit I want to look and feel my best at any age. Thanks for writing about a positive trait too often seen as selfabsorbtion.
Hi Bobbi,
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. 🙂
Haha, vanity is awesome! I always tell people I’m too vain to smoke.
Love it!