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Come January, I will have a difficult time getting a lane at my local aquatics center due to the fact that a lot of folks in my community will set New Year’s Resolutions to be healthier. They will embrace the New Year/New You mantra. As such, January will be crowded at any and every single facility that offers any kind of fitness class or work out opportunity.
I have learned to bide my time.
Because by February, the crowds will have thinned. Noticeably so. The regulars remain, those of us who swim all year long. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not bitching about the crowds. I’m stating a fact.
Resolving to do an activity just because you changed your calendar does not equal ongoing motivation for a healthier existence. Doing stuff that you know is good for you, but that you hate is counterproductive. The trick to healthier living isn’t a struggle to make yourself do the thing. The trick is to find healthy activities that you actually enjoy.
I was never a strong swimmer. I wore glasses and then contacts that made putting my face underwater a challenge. Also, I have asthma and the coordinated effort that goes into breathing while swimming was an elusive skill set. But I always enjoyed swimming. The feel of the water moving over…
