I like to workout and I always have. Growing up I was very involved in sports, I became a high school coach, I coached our kids youth teams, I’ve been a volleyball official and a proud “soccer mom” (really soccer, volleyball AND baseball mom). So being on the go and active has always been my lifestyle. It seems like my life has been a recurring cycle of getting up, getting ready, going to school (literally as a student and a teacher), coming home, going to a practice or game and grabbing a bite to eat when I could. I would do homework and plan or grade when I could. For years this was what I did … over and over and over. Now, don’t get me wrong,I am not complaining. I loved EVERY bit of all of it! However, sometimes it just seemed I was running on a treadmill and never going anywhere.
Recently, the athletic part of my life has been traveling to watch college baseball with my husband or watching sports on tv. I do still like a good workout, but I really enjoy a good walk. Walking is great for the soul. When walking I can breathe in the fresh air, talk to people, change up my route, listen to music or podcasts - all sorts of things. However, if the weather is bad, my outdoor activities are limited. Luckily though, I have a treadmill and I don't have to miss my walk.
Now, I bought this treadmill when my husband was out of town. Surprise!!! Our daughter is grown and I asked her to come over and help me set it up. That is a story in itself, it was hilarious, but we did it! I will also say that when and if we ever move the treadmill stays with the house! My goal was NOT to let the treadmill become a place to store things and hang clothes. I can honestly say it hasn’t. I have used it a bunch in the winter or when the weather hinders me from walking outside. Unfortunately, treadmill walking (running sometimes - hey hey!) has never left me quite as inspired or fulfilled as walking outside. I guess it’s because I am not going anywhere and the scenery doesn’t change. I am just walking, walking, walking and walking a little more.
Not too long ago, I had a discussion with a young mom who felt like she does the same routine over and over. “Kind of like walking on a treadmill,” I thought. But the more I realized and thought about it, life on a treadmill can be good because I realized I have the power to change things up. This is so similar to our everyday lives!
When life gets monotonous and boring, change things up! Push the incline button and challenge yourself! Add something new and different to your daily routine - push yourself! On a treadmill you can change the speed and incline! When I am walking, I often increase the speed to challenge myself to have a faster mile. When I’m just tired, but know I must go on, I turn the speed down. If you have too much planned during your day and you need a mental break - slow down your life! Change your speed! You have the control!
Maybe you need a distraction? I listen to music, a book or I watch TV while I am on the treadmill. Find some sort of a distraction during your day to change your routine. Don't let life get boring! Go a different way to the store. Park somewhere new in the parking lot. Go in the left side of the store rather than the right. Go down a different hall to class. While doing your “everyday” routine, find a way to do it differently - change it up!
I found that when I did life routinely, it went by WAY TOO FAST! I look back on life and see things I didn’t pay attention to or appreciate when I was just going and going and going. It was all just a blur! Now, if it seems like I do some of the same things over and over, I stop, refocus and try to change things up - if only a little! It’s more fun that way! I will remember it now!
From today forward, figure out a way to make every “walk” you take in your life memorable - even if it’s on a treadmill. YOU ARE IN CONTROL!
How can you change up your treadmill walks in life? Are there things that you can do differently in your everyday routine that will challenge you or add something fun and new? I challenge you to not get in such a mundane routine that life goes by so fast that you miss out on it! You got this!