I was at spin class today and there was a fast part and I found myself going faster than usual, really pushing myself and dripping with sweat (sorry if that's a yucky visual!) Anyway, I was grinning like an idiot while I was doing this and for some reason felt so happy, and I found myself wondering why I was doing this and why I felt this way and then it hit me...
It's because I can.
I know that sounds simplistic and a little weird, but having been heavy, out of shape and exercise-averse for so long, it's taken me a while to get here. The exercise is not just a means to an end, not just something to suffer through to burn calories or get more fit. OK, it is that, and sometimes it's a huge effort to go and do when it's not comfortable.
The real reason I keep going and doing though, is simply because I can. And after so many years of not being able to, I feel a lot of joy and gratitude for this. Even though I'm not good at it, even at 220 lbs, even though every other woman in the room had a waist the size of my thigh...
