I mentioned in a blog the other day that people often say things like “I wish I loved exercise like you do” to me.
It’s been a pretty regular thing that I’ve heard for approaching a quarter of a century.
And in all that time I’ve been telling people that I don’t.
“I’m ok with it and I’ve made peace with doing it being worthwhile but I wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t for the benefits. I don’t do it for fun. It’s largely a means to an end” would be my typical response.
But that’s actually based off the definition of “love” that we commonly accept.
There’s another way to look at “love” that actually means I do love exercise.
Infatuation is where we are only see the good signs of something.
Resentment is only seeing the bad.
Love involves acceptance of all sides – the good, the bad and the ugly.
I don’t love my wife, kids and family members because they are “perfect” – I love and accept all sides of them.
When people say that they don’t love exercise, what they’re really saying is that they aren’t infatuated with it.
They don’t get all gooey eyed at the prospect of it.
But that’s not love.
Love is accepting that it’s a pain in the arse sometimes.
That we don’t always feel like doing it.
That it’s inconvenient and time consuming (I’m all for being time efficient but it will always take more than zero time).
It can make us feel uncomfortable and sore.
But it can also make us feel better mentally and physically.
Improve our body shape, composition and functionality.
Help us in every aspect of our life.
Improve health, fitness, energy levels, mood, mental health, longevity, sex drive and many more things.
Love isn’t only seeing those positives.
It’s accepting the negatives.
And being okay with all of that.
Much love,
Jon ‘Island’ Hall
P.S. When you’re ready to actually love exercise and realise infatuation isn’t going to happen, then jump in here –> www.myrise.co.uk/apply
