Play, Don’t Work Out

Do you remember when you were a kid and you could eat all you wanted and never gain an ounce in weight? And adults would always tell you to enjoy your fast metabolism while you have it as it will catch up to you when you get older. I certainly remember those days, and how I thought they were all lying to me. Well now I understand that they were, partially. They didn’t know the truth behind things. My metabolism has slowed down, not because I got older, but because I’m not nearly as active now as I was then. No longer do I spend my days riding my bike around town, running through the woods with friends, or climbing trees. Instead I have traded in my youthful vigor for a more mature lethargy. I was speaking with a good friend of mine about this one day and we came to the realization that the reason we were not over weight when we were younger is because of the things we did such as riding bikes, playing ball, climbing trees, and so on. Instead now we drink high fat lattes and play video games. So my advice to you, and I will follow it as well is this:

Stop Working Out! Go and Play instead.

If you enjoy what your doing you will be more apt to continue doing it. On a recent vacation I decided I would swim a few laps in the pool as I always enjoyed swimming. I have gotten in such bad shape that I could barely make it across a 20 foot pool once before I ran out of steam. (I haven’t been in a pool in nearly 10 years.) I use to spend nearly every day in a pool swimming laps for hours, because I enjoyed it. Now I’m looking at joining the local YMCA so that I can have access to a pool consistently, because despite the fact that it was exhausting to swim what little I did I still enjoyed it. So stop working out, after all the word “work” is in there and we all know that work is bad. Think back on the things you loved to do as a child and start doing them again. Go to the park and climb on the monkey bars. Get in a pick up game of what ever sport you enjoyed playing, act like your Joe Montana again. Play Cowboys and Indians, or freeze tag, or what ever else with your kids in the yard. Go for a hike in the woods. Take up rock climbing. The point is to get out side and get moving and have fun while your doing it. You’ll be surprised at how much better exercise you will get without realizing how long you’ve been at it. No counting reps, or concentrating on your form, just you having fun.

Now I don’t mean to do this only and not get in a good workout several times a week. But think of this as your daily exercise and your workouts as your excuse to have another slice of cheese cake.