The Adnostic

A while back I went in for my annual physical only to find out that I had gained three pounds and that my cholesterol was at 210. "Diet and exercise," said my doctor. "Diet and exercise, and get another blood test in a month."

Crap. I'm not the twenty-something that could eat whatever she wanted (within reason), ride a horse once a week, and stay fit and healthy. This is the sign, people - I am about to turn thirty.

The problem is that I am the terrible combination of being a decadent eater (which is only exacerbated by my relationship with another foodie) and a physical activity hater. I have only enjoyed one sport my entire life and that is horseback riding, which is both too expensive and time prohibitive to dedicate more than once a week to for the time being. This knowledge led me to the conclusion that I would have to do one of two things:

A) Start jogging (self torture)

B) Join a gym (self torture with other masochists) (I'm not about to call people with the same gym membership as myself "friends" or even "fellows")

Joining a gym costs money that could be better spent on plane tickets to Vancouver and lacey undergarments. The cost of entry for running is a quick $80 at Target for athletic wear and $50 on a new pair cross-trainer shoes (in case I ever change my mind about the gym). So jogging it is.

Now my only problem is pushing myself out the door often enough to make a difference. I can be an excellent slacker with little help or motivation, but I am trying to counteract the natural pull of latency. I went for my first run on Sunday and another round of DIY punishment today. Go me.

Normally I would have just said "screw it" and let my sneakers collect dust in the closet, but this time I've found it easier to hit the pavement. I think it's because I have good reasons to be in better shape. Part of it is to get more out of riding. I would like to be able to have a riding lesson without feeling weak and winded half way through a course of fences. Part of it is my health. I have never had a cholesterol level above 200 before and I am too young to have an active concern about heart disease. But, I think the biggest reason is the Zen Master. I would like to be able to go roller blading and hiking with him and be able to keep up and not have him slow down on my account. I want to be healthy and stay in shape for him. He deserves to keep the trim and fit girl he met in Austin, and hopefully never have just "more to love."

It’s hard to just submit to gravity with reasons like that.