Friday, April 5, 2013

Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- E

We are to the letter E. What does it stand for that makes me smile?

EXERCISING

Yes, yes, you may be thinking I'm absolutely mad. What kind of a sane person smiles while exercising. Ok, I'll admit, I don't smile while exercising (except if something funny happens in the Netflix show I'm watching, or in the book I'm reading). I rather dislike exercising, but it is a necessary evil (just like editing a manuscript. Ugh!).

To be honest, I would rather be doing anything else other than cardio and sweating up a storm while my heart is beating faster than a pandas on a blazing hot day. There's a story behind that somewhat odd comparison. Humor me for a second...
 
I did a study abroad to China while I was in college. We went to the largest Panda exploratory in the world where I was able to hold a red panda. By golly, that little guy's heart was thumping so fast in his chest that I thought it might pop right out onto the ground and dash away into the brush. See picture... Yes, that is a panda.

Ok, I'm through with my tangent. Back to the topic at hand. The part of exercising that makes me smile is when I'm done and I'm proud of myself for going. It is satisfying to accomplish 45 minutes of running, stair climbing, or elliptical and lifting some weights. And all those endorphins sure make for a happier Julia.

Exercising is good. It makes me smile. I'm blessed to have a semi-well functioning body that allows me to exert my body to do so. But I pretty much would rather be hiking. Oh, how I love nature.
 
Do you like exercising? Starting with the letter E, what makes you smile?
 
Writing Jewels

PS: Refer to the blurb on the very top of my blogs sidebar to know why I am posting about what makes me smile. Go forward and smile!

22 comments:

  1. I exercise four to five times a week. It's also a great way to reduce stress.
    Very cool you got to hold a red panda.

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  2. You just made me feel fat and guilty at the same time. I'll see if I can get on a better exercise schedule lol.

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    1. Silly, Micheal. You crack me up. Don't feel fat or guilty cuz you aren't either of them.

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  3. I SORT of like exercising lol. I prefer playing an organized sport to hopping on the treadmill. So I play volleyball twice a week, and I do zumba.

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    1. I'm not so much an organized sport kind of person. It seems like there is a bullseye on my head; they like to hit me. Doesn't feel very good. I'll stick to the gym.

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  4. I hate exercising but I love how I feel when I do it. Today's exercise was a bust though. It was one of those days with lots of interruptions that I couldn't ignore and I think I ended up with less than 15 minutes on the treadmill. Go me.

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    1. That's ok. Life happens and we press forward. :)

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  5. I LOVE that red panda--what a cool experience! And I have liked exercising... there are KINDS of it I like, but as I get older, I definitely prefer more moderate, rather than intense. Part of it is I just am not in the same shape I once was, so I could get it back. But I can't work up the will to build up the shape... I mostly walk a lot. I need to do more stretching and strengthening, but have no real desire to ever be a runner again.

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    1. My sis-in-law tried to retire from running, but it didn't work. She addicted. :)

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  6. Eek that panda is so cute!!

    I love exercising. LOVE it. Yes, I am that person :D

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  7. As I've gotten older, sadly, I discontinued my exercise level and it shows.

    There was a professional football player when I was in high school who had a great theory about exercise.

    He said, "every time I feel like exercising, I go lie down until the feeling goes away."

    Great quote, but I suspect that for his occupation, it could not be true.

    I try to smile through most of life...it's coming at you no matter your outlook, so you may as well enjoy it. It passes by all too quickly..

    LC

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    1. That quote is birlliant. Thanks for sharing it and stopping by. :)

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  8. Same as housework, hate doing it, but the sense of achievement comes after. In fact, due to time constraints, I usually end up combining the two!

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    1. Housework is quite the workout. I used to clean for a family and I'd be sweating bullets by the time I was done.

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  9. I do enjoy exercising, but not 'in the gym' variety since it's all machines these days. I like to take my exercise outdoors, but I've become a fair weather freak over this last year, which is a shame since there hasn't been much of it. Must get out anyway!
    Happy A to Z-ing

    Jemima at Jemima's blog

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  10. Hi Julia - Stopping by (A to Z). We writers tend to be sedentary, so making time to exercise can be a challenge, but I find that taking a break every 90 minutes or so and walking around the block can clear my head, or even inspire me!

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  11. Love that pic with you and the panda, too cute!
    I actually love exercising, and making my body burn.
    But you're right, it's the feeling afterward that feels great.
    Plus, I don't feel so guilty eating nutella after a good sweat. (;

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  12. Yeah, I love walking for exercise. Today I was hoping to walk to the downtown bus stop from work, (over a mile and a half,) but the rain started up too soon, and I didn't feel like walking all that way. So I tried to get my exercise by running around tidying my apartment. ;)

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