I am participating in a weight loss program called the EVO study. They are comparing the results of a six month program called the Diabetes Prevention Program which is the standard weight loss program recommended by the CDC and an app based program. One of the weekly readings of the app based group shared a summary of a book titled The Intrinsic Exerciser by Jay Kimiecik. I decided to buy a used copy in response to this summary.
He began the book with a comparison of an extrinsic exerciser versus an intrinsic one. I related to the extrinsic exerciser description because I exercise for the health benefits but knew I’d quit once I stopped receiving support from the EVO study staff. He described an intrinsic exerciser as someone who enjoys exercising rather than doing it for the health benefits. This book reminded me of when I was in cross country in high school. I enjoyed my teammates and the challenge of beating my time. I started working on improving my time in my two to three times a week of cardio. The author also encouraged his readers to set goals for each exercise session. I decided to look for pleasurable things about exercising. So far, I have found a few things that I like about jogging at my local park.
- I enjoy being outside by the Fox River
- I enjoy seeing and hearing children playing. I have seen children riding bikes and heard them playing at a nearby playground.
- I smiled when an elderly couple greeted me because they had seen me jogging the week before.
I plan on continuing to do this for the next few weeks. I doubt that I will fall in love with exercising but I will be able to increase the pleasure of it. Then, I will be able to continue with it .