For the longest time, I’ve been searching for The One. I think most of us are. Other people have found it. Some have no desire to even start searching. And there are those, like me, who go after finding The One with a vengeance. They will not stop. Nothing else matters but The One. They envy others who have found it and try methods that they have used. They moan and gripe and cry, wondering why they haven’t found this love. They want to know what they’re doing wrong.
Until one day, magic happens. And they find The One. It may have been a fluke accident or it may be something that’s been brewing for a long time. But finally, finally, they found it.
This has been going on for a month or two, but I can now safely say that I have found The One. A love that makes my heart beat with excitement and where I leave every encounter more full of love, happiness, and joy.
Oh, and perhaps also a shirt soaked with sweat.
I found love. And I found it on a spin bike.
Oh, spinning, how I love thee. If you’ve been around this blog enough, you know how desperately I chased after a dream of becoming a runner. And not just any runner, but someone whose entire life revolves around it. I subscribed to running e-mail lists, got fitted for proper running shoes, and even started training for two half-marathons before I realized I needed to be honest with myself: running sucked. I hated it. I would go out for training runs, hating every pound of the pavement and the feeling of defeat that clogged my brain when I ended up walking more than I ran.
When I signed up for a gym membership in June, there was only one thing on my mind: I wanted a place to spin. I had only taken two spin classes previously and they were hard as hell, but I felt powerful, strong, and amazing afterward. I loved the intensity, loved how it made me hurt. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to take more spin classes to see if this is something I love.
I found out that this is more than love. I am actually excited to go work out, where previously I felt dread. I am finding the same emotions my mom has for running in spin classes. I love the way I sweat like a pig, the way I stretch myself to do more than I thought I could at a higher intensity, and the way my body hurts afterward. I love the feeling of accomplishment. And I love how it is completely go-at-your-own-pace and I’m not worried at all about the people who are spinning faster or harder than me. With running, I was constantly comparing myself. People say it’s very individualized but I never felt that way. I was always questioning why I wasn’t running faster or longer or harder. Why it felt so hard for me, why I didn’t love it, why I didn’t have a passion for it the way others did.
Truth is, running wasn’t the right thing for me. I wanted it to be, tried desperately to make it so, but it was time to seek out something I loved more.
In spinning, I have found The One. The exercise love that thrills and excites me. Every class is tough and mentally bruising. And there are some classes that I absolutely dread, but go anyway because I know I will feel better afterward. It doesn’t take every ounce of willpower for me to get to the gym and find a bike. It just takes knowing how much I love it to keep me going back.
Have you found The (Exercise) One?
YAY I'm so happy for you! I know how much you struggled with running. I knew you would eventually find your exercise groove. I badly need to get into my routine; between winter weather, new job and my overseas trip things haven't been too organised on that front.
Lol- I took this very seriously at first- I was like that seems kind of quick to decide the rest of your life? OR it could be about spinning haha.
Anyway, I don't have a 1 when it comes to exercise since I enjoy mixing it up. But I do LOVE spinning and would still be doing it except it was the only thing I used my gym membership for and it was hurting my knee so I stopped. Yay for you for finding the one 🙂
Yay! I'm so happy you've found the exercise that's right for you. It's been an uphill struggle but the important thing is you've stuck to exercise and you haven't given up that there's SOMETHING out there for you.
I don't know if I've found mine yet- the exercise classes I've started taking are definitely opening my eyes to different kinds of ways to keep fit, but I don't know if any of them are quite for me, to do all the time. I'm glad I took the membership though to see what they're all about (well, I mean besides pole dancing.. I won't be doing that) but hopefully I can do like you did and just stick with it until something stands out for me. Fingers crossed!
I'm glad you discovered that running isn't for you and, in turn, found something that you like a lot better! Running is definitely not for everyone (sometimes it's hard to remember that in the blog world). I've only done one spinning class in my life and it was hard. I'm not sure if it's for me, though I do want to give it another try some day. For now, running is "my One".
Have fun spinning-it makes my butt hurt!
Running is not for everyone and I am glad that you found something that keeps you motivated. There are times when I love going to the gym and using all the different equipment but I get very bored with it and it never truly feels like a true workout. That's why I love running. I can go outside for 20 minutes, break a sweat and feel absolutely amazing. 🙂
Omg I used to LOVE spinning. What a killer workout hey? I used to go 3-4 times per week my second year of college but I've NEVER found an instructor as good as that one I used to go see since! I don't have a gym membership anymore but if I did I would definitely go to spin! It's funny though because I really don't enjoy road biking nearly as much as spin classes but you'd think I would because they are so similar.
Anyways, so glad you found "the one" for you. Running is definitely "the one" for me BUT that being said I also really enjoy mixing it up with yoga, strength training, swimming and (somewhat grudgingly) biking!
Steph you seriously had me wonderful or a second there! I'm glad you found exercise that you love!
I feel similarly about spinning and swimming, and I suspect I'll feel the same about Zumba when I can find a class time that works for me 🙂
I use to take spinning classes, but then I got my friend who use to be in the military to train me. I like doing a lot of different excercises cause I get bored easily. But I'm glad u like spinning!! Anything is better than doing nothing 🙂
Sometimes, it can be SO hard to get back into a groove. Luckily, now that I have a gym membership, I'm not anxious to have it waste away! It gets my butt to the gym so that's the good news. 🙂 Here's hoping you find your groove again!
Haha! True love has no time limit. 🙂
I only spin twice a week, since I know I need to mix it up as well but it's definitely my favorite thing to do!
I am so happy you found The One, but I don't understand your love at all. Spinning is about my least favorite form of exercise ever! But I'm glad you two are happy together. 😉
It's definitely a battle to find something you enjoy! I tried going the no-gym route for a while but I have so much more motivation in the gym. I hope you do find some type of exercise you enjoy! Just try everything out and you'll find something. I know it. 🙂
Yea! Good for you! This is how exercise should be! It makes such a difference to find something that you are passionate about~!
Is your profile pic in the top right new? If so, you are really looking slim!!
It's very hard to remember that running isn't the sole exercise opportunity in the blog world! It seems that's all everyone does. 😉 I think we just have to find something we actually enjoy doing. I never thought there would be an exercise that I actually got EXCITED to do! So weird and cool! 🙂
Ha! It does, doesn't it? I think my butt is getting used to it. I probably have calluses on my butt. 😉 But it does make those times when we stand up so much more nicer.
And that's how we differ. I'm probably the opposite, I never feel like I get a great workout when I run. Probably because I'm SLOWWWW and I hate it. Ha!
My exercise was always swimming. Unfortunately, it's not an easily accessible exercise, lol. Tell me to run and I'll scoff. Tell me to swim miles and I'll swim twice as many. 🙂