Increased health and well-being

When I was five years old, I seriously told my mom that I wanted sports not to exist, and she still remembers it fondly.

Although not much has changed since then, I have always identified as not into sports. Over time, I have learned to differentiate between sports and physical activity, but my main goal is prioritising my overall health and well-being.

Over the years, I have worked out in various gyms sporadically. However, I experienced my most significant progress in fitness when I was employed as an au pair in a small Finnish town and began adhering to a running regimen. Within ten weeks, I progressed from struggling to jog for two consecutive minutes to effortlessly running around the neighbourhood for more than an hour.

Having abundant time and living near a tranquil forest where I could go for runs enabled me to witness my progress as I consistently improved my time every Monday.

After returning from Finland, I participated in the Reykjavík marathon and completed a 10 km run that year. Interestingly, when I shared this accomplishment with my sister, she said, "No one would have expected you to do that."

Still, I've never managed to be in what I would consider excellent physical condition; my gym class efforts have been hindered by the need to pause to avoid feeling faint. In September, I enrolled in a three-month gym membership to kickstart my gym routine, but I could hardly make it through the first practice without lying down.

Consequently, I visited my family doctor, who informed me that my low blood pressure was the cause. Unfortunately, there isn't much I can do about it other than stay hydrated, eat regularly, and be careful when engaging in physical activities.

Given my need to be cautious about exercise, I decided to concentrate on doing yoga at home during the gym's closure due to COVID-19. Equipped with a yoga mat, I downloaded the Down Dog yoga app and pledged to engage in a 30-minute workout daily (a target I have yet to achieve, but progress is key).

Given the choice, I would rather do yoga at home than at a gym. Despite the advice of yoga instructors, it's hard not to measure yourself against others in a class setting. When practising at home, I only have to challenge my self-discipline, and I appreciate the tranquillity of learning the poses in solitude.

Finding the right exercise for your health may require some time and experimentation. Persistence is key. While I don't aim for accolades, my current focus is on consistently doing these exercises daily and occasionally taking a walk in Elliðaárdalur, which I am fortunate to reside close to.

Initially, my current efforts may not yield significant results. However, by integrating this exercise into my daily regimen, I anticipate gradually enhancing my strength, overall health, and well-being.