||Nirvana Running||

Increased leisure time in addition to a national preoccupation with exercising and dieting are but a couple of the many wide-ranging reasons why athletic participation has risen in the United States in recent years.

There are other more deep-seated reasons, related to either nature or nurture, that motivate us to make exercise a regular routine.

For instance, according to some psychologists, a sizable percentage of us are athletically inclined because we’re basically competitive types. That is to say, we automatically set up external or internal competition for ourselves either against other people - as in a two or more person sporting activity, like tennis and basketball - or the triumphant accomplishment of personal goals we’ve set for ourselves - such as finishing a 26-mile 385-yard marathon run or a triathlon (a triple-stage event consisting of swimming, bicycling and running done one after the other).

We do this, although we may not be aware of it on a conscious level, in order to enhance our sense of self-confidence, self-esteem, self-worth and even superiority. To know that we’ve attained our goals or defeated tough opponents makes us feel good about ourselves, plus heightens our mental concept of our tenuous physical capabilities and skills.

Now most of us have been taught, at one time or another, not to flaunt our achievements, not to be arrogant, gloating, pompous winners who exhibit disrespect for the opposition. We’ve been told to be humble victors, to be deferential to a defeated adversary and, moreover, to be cognizant of the “fickle finger of fate.” Tomorrow just might be our opponent’s turn to be king or queen of the mountain.

Nevertheless, no one enjoys losing. We all prefer to win and to be winners.

Psychologists further state that a large number of us feel almost superhuman when we know that we can swim so manytreadmill 2 laps, jog so many miles, or bench press so many pounds. The successful completion of these athletic tasks tends to give us a feeling of having mastered some of the uncertainties of life in combination with a feeling of protection against those uncertainties. We feel more in control of ourselves and our respective surroundings.

Yet some, such as recreational dancers, are physically active simply for the sheer enjoyment of having their bodies in motion, demonstrating abilities of coordination, flexibility and stamina. While others, such as competitive bodybuilders, want to display themselves. In other words, they’re somewhat narcissistic.

Though frankly speaking, most of us have some degree of narcissism. We like and admire ourselves, particularly if we have a positive self-image. If we’re overweight, it distresses us. And if we’re out of shape, it concerns us. We wish to possess a body that is well-conditioned, well-proportioned and overall aesthetically pleasing to ourselves as well as to others.

We desire a certain amount of muscle tone, strength and cardiovascular fitness for better health, greater happiness and higher productivity.

But a few of us become obsessed with exercising. We believe that if we miss one or two workout sessions in a row, we’re rapidly atrophying, failing to realize that rest is an important component of maintaining a sound and strong body. We stubbornly try not to listen to our bodies when they say: “Forget it! Don’t train today!”

We have to use a little common sense and remember that anything, even seemingly good things, when done to excess can eventually be harmful to us. To avoid injuries, which could have us laid up and in pain for days or weeks, to avoid “burnout” and to recover from hard workouts, we need to take time off to recharge ourselves mentally and physically, to give our minds and bodies a chance to rest and recuperate.

Psychologists also state that we exercise because it’s a social affair. Operating from the premise that man (i.e., generically speaking) is a social being, then athletic participation is a fabulous way to meet new and diverse people with similar interests or objectives. As a rule, an emotional closeness and intimacy develops when people play the same sport or take part in a conditioning program together.

More often than not, they meet in an atmosphere of camaraderie, friendship, affection and “brotherly love” for one another, even if they’re fierce competitors. There is typically the formation of a good and healthy bond between kindred spirits.

Some go to a gym or spa, however, not only to exercise and be with workout buddies but also to make business contacts, conduct informal business meetings, or entertain clients.

And scores of young, educated, active singles in search of companionship and romance have found the athletic environment to be ideal for coming into contact with individuals of the opposite sex whe that exercise is conducive to good health and take care of their bodies.

Still others exercise to discharge feelings of aggression. For in our society, it’s a faux pas to be openly physically aggressive.

We can’t shout or yell out in the street like barbarians. We can’t throw temper tantrums at the office like immature children. We can’t punch someone in the face merely because he or she has made us angry. We can’t jump up and take off running just because we’re upset.

We have to keep our mouths shut, our noses clean and stay out of trouble.

We have to control our aggressive urges in order to live sensibly and in reasonable harmony with one another.

Nonetheless, these aggressive urges are still there, menacingly roaming unchecked inside of us. And they pile up when they’re not discharged. So exercise is an excellent way to release a lot of the frustration, pressure, and tension that builds up within us.

After a vigorous workout, we often find ourselves in a kind of state of nirvana: a relaxed and peaceful state that usually transcends our inner selves and allows us to be more tolerant and understanding of others, besides enabling us to deal with stressful situations in a composed, clear-headed manner.

Lastly, a number of us believe that there’s some sort of magical protection that comes along with being physically fit.

In truth, there’s no refuting the fact that frequent exercise has many tangible physical and physiological benefits. It has been well-documented by doctors and other health-care specialists that through proper exercise and the eating of nutritious meals, we have fewer colds, a lessening of anxiety and a reduced chance of experiencing a heart attack. Even a little bit of exercise done fairly often, in conjunction with monitoring our fat and cholesterol intake, can considerably decrease our likelihood of suffering an untimely death as a result of cardiovascular disease, cancer, or other major common cause.

It has also been proven that keeping ourselves physically fit can prevent some minor injuries and maladies from occurring or, if the damage has already been done, assist in the cure. However, exercising and dieting are not absolute safeguards against all illnesses. We still should consult with a physician regularly, or whenever the need arises. Visit Web site http://hometown.aol.com/buffalofox/joggingandrunning.html

About the Author, as a nationally certified fitness instructor, La Rue conducted exercise and bodybuilding classes for the YMCA and other organizations. La Rue also was an instructor/trainer for the Michigan Heart Association, a board member of the Metropolitan Detroit Health Education Council, and a member of the YMCA Physical Education Committee.

Author La Rue is a Detroit native with a BA in English from Wayne State University.

This article is an excerpt from http://www.fitnessbringshealth.com