I made all sorts of excuses growing up on why I didn't need to exercise. The main one? I simply didn't need to. My school gym instructor had a different impression. Throughout primary and secondary school I reluctantly dragged myself through the various workouts, activities and training sessions she enforced while under her judging and ever-present gaze.

I was a shy, bookish teen that often maintained one position for hours stooped over novels, preferably in an air-conditioned room. I wasn't considered overweight by medical standards, but I wasn't exactly slim either, I was merely average. However, the idea of exercising wasn't well introduced to the younger version of myself, and I found it tempting to avoid it promptly.
I remained unfond of any physical activity until I discovered the option of substituting my regular PT class with a sport. I jumped at the chance to avoid another year of mandatory participation in yard sprints, squats, and chin-ups. I knew my choice had paid off when I showed up to my first tennis session and didn't feel like slumping to the ground and giving up on the existence of fairness in the world like always.

I didn't realize it then, but I had stumbled upon the primary motivation I needed to stay active in my life. For the first time, I was allowed to move my body without thinking of it as a chore. I was merely playing a game, admittedly one I showed nearly zero promise in for months, but I was having fun, and I eventually learned to hit a ball back with my racket, which also helped slightly.

In the midst of the happy realization that being active could actually be fun, I began to experience the spectacular effects it had on my body. I noticed that my stamina and general endurance increased while performing daily acts that I once struggled with. For example, climbing stairs, stooping low for any reason and walking any length of time exceeding two minutes. The small improvements I experienced in my fitness level encouraged me to entertain an idea I would never have otherwise — voluntarily spending my free time exercising, even more shocking, it didn't include a tennis racket.

There's a logical, research-based explanation behind my sudden incentive to build on the initial benefits of physical activity. A significant influence was related to how I felt. I couldn't deny that I had more energy at my disposal through the day and it was a nice change compared to the lethargic state I was accustomed to. It's no surprise when considering that even a few minutes of exercise a day has been found to improve a person's mood, alleviate stress and increase overall energy levels.

Thanks to the desperate decision I made at the age of fifteen to enroll in a tennis course, I made the first step in understanding my personal motivations when it comes to fitness. Today I enjoy a daily and moderately leveled workout routine that improves both my mental and physical health because of that clueless choice. That's right, I actually enjoyed it.

Admittedly, I've had moments in which I relived my dread for exercise. It didn't take long to recognize the reason when I tuned into how my body felt. I associated those dread-filled moments with a memory of pushing myself past my normal pace or feeling overly tired or sore following the activity. Not only was this putting my enthusiasm for exercise at stake but it was even considered counterproductive since intense workouts resulted in the (participant) feeling more fatigued than when they started. I had forgotten that forcing myself to stay active never led in anything positive —it only reinforced my hesitation towards exercise in general.

It's always difficult to start something new. Especially when the act has a physical aspect to it like the conscious effort to get in shape. I was only able to make a change in my life after recognizing my limits and incorporating enjoyable activities that helped erase the negative image I had towards working out. Before long I realized it takes a consistent effort to maintain physical well-being, since your body accustoms to a certain level of activity a day, having a lapse in your workout schedule can be discouraging. You want to feel invested in how working out makes you feel, so that when you face some discomfort and soreness when you start up again, you are less likely to abandon the idea altogether. Believe me, I was there.

Eventually, if you're like me you'll start to develop a slightly adventurous spirit to find new activities that will provide the same feel-good endorphin rush. In my case, I started spending more time outdoors and that was an additional incentive to build up muscle and increase endurance so I could make it easier to hike and jog for long distances. I had certainly come a long way from the sloth-like condition I was in during my teen years and I actually wanted to keep it that way for the right reasons.