Page 11 | Michael T. Miyoshi

Running Is Addictive · 30 July 2013

Believe it or not, running is addictive. At least it is becoming that way for me.

I find myself wanting to run these days. Not just because it is becoming part of my schedule or routine, but because I want to run. I need to run. Which is why it seems I am becoming addicted to running.

Then again, maybe I am not so much becoming addicted to running as I am to just being active. After all, I do not think I run enough to get that euphoric feeling from endorphins hitting my brain or whatever bodily processes create that runner’s high. I am not accomplishing any great feats or doing anything wonderful running. I am just enjoying being on the road.

When it comes down to it, I want to get out and do something. Anything physical. I need to keep my body moving. I am enjoying being active.

I suppose I am probably analyzing things too much, but maybe, I am just becoming a kid again. Maybe I just want to play. Running happens to be the thing I can do when my kids do not want to go out and do something with me. I can hit the road and run by myself.

In the final analysis, all I know is the more I run, the more I want to run. I may never run enough to experience that euphoria of endorphins hitting my brain, but I will continue to run as long as I enjoy it. Whether or not it is addictive.

Share on facebook

Comment

System Reset Button · 27 July 2013

Our bodies have a system reset button.

Technically, it is not so much a button as a process. When we eat a mostly healthy whole food, plant-based diet, we can eat poorly for a time and then reset our bodies by going back to eating right.

I ought to know. I have had to do it over and over again.

When I eat junky processed foods, I feel sluggish, swollen, and sleepy. But when I go back to healthy food, I get back to a normal energized life. It takes a day or so to get rid of all the junk in my system (depending on how long I have been eating poorly), but I feel great very quickly.

This system reset button is really the way to kick junk food and sugar addiction too. It just takes longer. So be vigilant about keeping away from sugary and other processed foods.

It is nice to know that when we are eating right but go astray, we can just go back to eating right. It is nice to know that we can just hit the system reset button to get back to healthy.

Share on facebook

Comment

Overcoming Inertia · 26 July 2013

The main reason people do not get fit is not because they are lazy, it is because they cannot overcome inertia.

We say that a body in motion tends to stay in motion and a body at rest tends to stay at rest. In physics, we call that tendency inertia. We need to remember that inertia works with people as well as inanimate object.

The toughest thing about starting anything new is just starting.

Beginning is half done. Just do it. These are phrases or slogans we use to remind ourselves that we can accomplish anything when we just get out there and start. When we get over our own inertia.

I remember long ago wanting to have a daily routine. I wanted to run or lift weights or do something every day to get fit. But I never did. If I started, something would happen and all too soon I could not find the time anymore. The routine never stuck. Then, I decided I would quit trying.

What I decided to do was a few pushups and sit-ups. I alternated between them every day when I got up for work. Just a five minute routine. I started years ago and even though I have changed the exercises and take a little more time, I rarely miss a day.

Even though I have my five-minute fitness routine, I am still trying to get into an exercise regime. I am trying to figure out what my running schedule should be. I am working to get some basketball in each week. I am wondering if I can do some weight training too. In truth, I am not quite where I want to be in terms of exercise, but I have started. And as they say, starting is half done.

It would be great if we could all have some grandiose training schedule. But when it comes right down to it, we just need to start if we really want to get fit and be healthy. We really just need to do a few exercises each day in order to overcome inertia and start getting fit.

[Note: If this sounds familiar, it is because I wrote about the other side of inertia back in November 2012.]