Some of my loyal blog readers have pointed out that I've been slacking on my posts. This is true. I was just shocked to find out I still have loyal blog readers. So, in honor of the new year (though it's already a month and six days old), I've resolved to be more consistent in posting the Stuff of my thoughts...
Speaking of New Year's resolutions...I've set a few for myself. However I fear I was not very committed to some of them throughout January, so I'm re-resolving them for the month of February:
1) Clean my room - I'm not talking about just straightening it up from time to time. I'm talking about a full-blown attack on all the junk I've accumulated over 3 1/2 years of living in Provo. I'm no longer saving every sheet of notes from Physical Science 100. I'm not keeping any more boxes from old cell phones I don't use anymore. I'm getting rid of all those sweaters in the back of my closet that I keep thinking I'm going to wear and then never actually do. Oh, and all those packet readings from American Heritage? Gone.
2) Exercise - Yes, I know that seems overbroad. Perhaps I should specify that I want to improve my cardiovascular fitness. Looking at me now, you probably wouldn't guess that I've run two marathons. I've let my endurance slip to virtually zero. This became dreadfully apparent on Monday when I decided to go out for a little jaunt and found myself walking after only a half mile. I knew my condition was bad; I just didn't know it was THAT bad.
Previously, my excuses for not running were these: a) the cold air hurts my throat, b) I need new running shoes but can't afford them, and c) I don't have time. One by one, those excuses have been eliminated. Because I'm done with school and have not been successful in finding a job yet, I have plenty of time to get out and run. And in conjunction with this, I now have the option of running in the afternoon when it's warmer, therefore I can run without feeling like I'm swallowing a razor blade every time I inhale. And just last Monday, I bit the bullet and bought new shoes.
See? No excuses.
So I've started running again. It's a love-hate relationship for me right now. I can't say that I've been fully re-converted to the sport. But something inside me won't let me stop. Not to mention people outside of me won't let me stop, either. Every time I walk out of my room in the morning and see my sister's running shoes sitting by the front door, I know she's been running and I think to myself, "If running is good enough for my sister, it's certainly good enough for me." Every time I want to give up and just admit that running isn't "my thing," my boyfriend starts talking about the run he did at the gym earlier that day and how good it makes him feel to get that exercise. And I think to myself, "I want to feel that post-exercise satisfaction, too." And now, every time I see my new red-and-white running shoes sitting by the front door, I think to myself, "I'm the only one who can determine whether or not I enjoy this. I might as well make the best of it."
