Chris Writing Anything

My last post was about mountain biking, and it was also about how I began riding. I also focused on what I stubbornly learned and my devotion towards the sport. Now, today, I’ll switch gears, and I’ll set the scene years prior to my first ride. Yes, years before, and even if I hadn’t really considered riding, the onset was already forming. I’ll tell you how that happened.

After twenty years of smoking, I finally kicked that awful habit. The question was, as the tar cleared from my lungs, “what exercises could I tackle?”

I was trying crazy workouts, and I was trying to run. Although those efforts were slimming my physique, man, those regimens really, really seemed like work. So, if you factor in an eight hour workday, and God knows what other daily BS, I hardly wanted to try workouts. Instead of work after work, I needed something fun in my life.

Yet, was exercise supposed to be fun? I mean, I firmly believed in that age old mantra: “No Pain, No Gain!” Look at Rocky. I think he chopped down an entire Siberian forest…and he was still physically inferior to Draco. So, if I was to believe Hollywood’s depiction of physical workouts…dude, man, yeah, I didn’t stand a chance.

However…Rocky, yeah, that’s purely Hollywood. Don’t get me wrong, professional athletes certainly have strenuous workout routines. Yet, I’m not Rocky, JJ Watt or Mike Tyson…I’m some dude who works at Walmart.

So, if I were to be honest, I just needed to be healthy. Why would I want to be healthy? Because, when one is in good condition, one can simply enjoy life. Yes, I want to be fit, but I’m not going to tryout for Inter Miami…(That’s a professional soccer team).

Anyways, back to my topic. I wasn’t an athlete, I suffered from allergies and I still had tar in my lungs. Physical activies were laborious…to say the least. So, I needed to find something that would be enjoyable, and, even if it was hardly a daring ride, my first mountain bike run was different than anything else…ever!!

But, that ride didn’t happen right away. I used to hike in a beautiful local park, and I marveled at the bike trails. I mean, they seemed daring, inspiring…impossible. Heck, if I wanted to build self confidence, which, admittedly, I totally lacked, trail riding would certainly give me a better self image, and it just might give me more self respect.

For years, yes it took years, I pressed myself to gather the courage. Then one day, because I lacked interesting writing material, I thought about trying something new, that ‘something new’ would be mountain biking, and, when I was finished, I’d enthusiastically chronicle the ride. From there, I became more interested in the sport, and I became better at it.

However, before my maiden double track run, I was building routines. They were simple things, yet, because I tackled those things daily, I was setting the stage for a training regimen.

Those things were simple steps. One of those steps, and it may seem very useless to mostly anybody, is making my bed within five minutes after waking up. If you start with simple tasks, and you remain steadfast, meaning you make it a habit, your life becomes less and less of a chaotic cluster.

What I’m saying is this; if you want to get into a workout routine, get yourself organized. The more simple goals you set, and then remain up to standard, the easier it is to accomplish other things. Basically, start with easy tasks, ones that you wish you would perform…and perform them.

Don’t try to become a genius at anything. For instance, if you want to work on dieting and budgeting, maybe, instead of making that trip to Mc Donald’s, find a simple recipe, and cook yourself, and your family, something absolutely delicious. Once you’ve accumulated the basic seasonings, cooking meals will be a cheaper option versus fast food joints.

You see what I mean, instead of saying, “Man, I’d rather have a Big Mac,” change that mode of thinking, and maybe replace that unhealthy choice with some delicious recipe. If you don’t have the time, try to organize your time better. If you don’t have the skills, learn them. Cooking isn’t rocket science, and learning that skill is rewarding.

Basically, the key to healthy living, like anything else, is organization. If you want to become a musician, you have to set practice times. The same holds true for exercise. If you’re organized, that run, that mountain bike ride…that anything will be a constant portion of your life.

So, try to organize, find something you like and make your life better. You won’t be a whole new person; you’ll still be you. However, you’ll most likely feel better about yourself!

Have an Excellent Day!