Rest is NOT a Four Letter Word!

The benefits of exercise are well-documented. I recognize its tremendous effect on not only my physical health but also my emotional outlook. Honestly, some form of exercise has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

An (over?) active child, I was always in motion. Whether dancing, swimming, roller skating or biking, it was hard to get me to sit still. In fact, I was training as a gymnast at just six years old. Of course, I now realize (as the mom to a natural tumbler myself) my parents likely signed me up to save their furniture, not to get me ready for the Olympics.

Then, when I had a very stressful job with a long commute, I worked with a personal trainer to restore my emotional health and begin a new relationship with exercise. After about two months of learning correct techniques and building my confidence with the equipment, it became a habit... that I couldn't break.

But when I started my blog (http://writeonjana.com) in June, I made a public commitment to creating a "space between myself and my limits" (a spiritual concept called margin). As a result of this new perspective, I now realize too much of a good thing (even something as good as exercise) can drain personal reserves which are essential for maintaining balance in all other areas of my life.

When I force myself to get up and work out every morning at 5 a.m., I have less to "give" my children (less patience for whining, less sympathy for mistakes, less tolerance for misbehavior). So, in keeping with my practice, I slept in TWO times this week.

In truth, I was worried that:

· I would fall out of the routine,

· I would not be able to lift as much weight at my next session,

· my moods would suffer (my natural tendency towards depression drives a lot of my regular exercise habits).

But, I am happy to report that none of these fears came true. In fact, I am stronger in mind and spirit and have more energy for my family ("sure, we can spend another hour at the playground"), my house ("I have a little time, let me wash the kitchen floor and clean the bathroom") and myself ("I'm going to walk to the grocery store rather than take the car") as a result.

Do you have a love/hate relationship with exercise? Do you find it hard to stick to an exercise routine or do you find it more difficult to stray from the habits you have adopted over the years? How do you "recharge your batteries" when life is stressful or you feel unusually fatigued?