This is one of the happiest Birthdays I've ever had! I don't mean to discredit any previous efforts made by friends and family, but you can't compete with endorphins.
My roommate, a spinning instructor at Equinox Gym, got me a free 3-day pass, and with the semester over, I have been spending all my spare time soaking up (literally-the showers with Kiehl's products are amazing!) all of its offerings, yoga, Zumba, cycling, step-aerobics, boot-camp, protein smoothies, eucalyptus towels, and so much more. It is a fitness buff's playground!
Today, with no school and minimal work, I had the opportunity to enjoy two fitness classes. At noon, I went to Vinyasa Flow Yoga. The class was packed, so I had to go to the front of the class. I was a little insecure, especially after the instructor began speaking and I could hardly hear him over the speaker or understand him with his accent. But once we got moving I abandoned my insecurity and was able to really enjoy myself. Vinyasa is a nice style of yoga because it is aerobically demanding, with lots of ab-flattening planks and tricep-toning push-ups, while still providing a relaxing and nourishing experience. Synchronizing each pose with a breath helps to focus your mind, while keeping your body active and engaged.
I left the class buzzing with composed enthusiasm. Every bit of my experience brought me joy, especially the things that would usually provoke frustration, like a cold breeze, when all I had was a light jacket or my boyfriend waiting until the last minute to make dinner reservation. Instead of getting upset at the prospect of a 9pm dinner reservation I thought, perfect! Now I can take my time getting ready, and can invite my girlfriend (with whom plans fell through early this week) for wine and cheese before meeting up with him later. And though the rest of my day consisted of rather mundane tasks, like buying groceries and mailing gifts before the holidays, I felt so exuberant, making conversation with people in line and letting rude and inconsiderate actions role right off my back.
As it turns out, this endorphin spike isn't unique to me alone. Feeling stressed, angry, depressed, or just complacent? I could bore you with the neurochemical processes responsible for the relationship between exercise and mood, but let me just make this suggestion instead: Hit the gym, you will be amaze at what it can do for it. I find exercising in groups, such as classes, particularly motivating and enjoyable, especially when you can laugh at yourself.
Most importantly, don't go into a gym with any expectations of losing weight, toning up, or boosting your mood. High expectations are likely to disappoint. Instead, go in with an open mind and a desire to have fun, the rest is just icing on the cake.
Enjoy!
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