The power of exercise

Exercise reinforces willpower and determination

These days I am trying to lose three pounds in order to prepare myself for Christmas. I do not want to be worried during that time. I have intensified the exercise, and I have slightly reduced foods as bread, sweet desserts and wine or beer. Nevertheless, I continue eating a lot, but more salads, vegetables, and grilled fish and meat.

Last Sunday, I went to walk to the mountain. I did about ten miles from sea level to six hundred feet and back, all together. I spent two hours and a half and felt extremely happy.

When I was finishing my walk, I found a friend sitting at a terrace. I stopped a while to talk to her. Suddenly, a waiter brought her a banana split, and then she invited me to share it. It was extremely tempting, both the ice cream and her company. Nevertheless, I was tired, hungry and thirsty, and I knew that I needed something different. First of all, taking a warm shower and then, the meal I had left prepared in the refrigerator. I thought that if I accepted the invitation, I was going to ruin the effort of the day. Then all I had done was going to be useless. The sugar and the fat would rush into my bloodstream at high speed, stopping the calories burnt.

Later, I thought the exercise had produced two positive effects on me. The first one was the proper physical activity and its beneficial consequences. The second one, a reinforcement of the motivation to maintain and continue the diet.

To succeed in any project one need two main key factors: goals and willpower. Objectives mean planning to do something, in a certain way and within a determined period. Nevertheless, without moral strength and determination, any good intention that implies effort will not be accomplished.