Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever

Before high school, I had never really been the active type. Most of my long, summer days would consist of sitting inside watching television, playing video games, or some other activity that would not require me to put forth any strenuous effort. Exercise was almost thought of as a demon to me. Also, the fact that in sixth through eighth grade, I was a little overweight for my height and age left me not wanting to do anything. Myself being this way probably added to the lack of willpower to get out of the house and change the fact that I was not fit. Going into high school, I started running Cross Country and Track, not knowing that I would actually be successful in them. The only reason I joined Cross Country my freshman year, was because a girl that I liked was running it as well, not because I wanted to get myself in better shape. As the years went on, the reasons I kept running changed. They went from trying to chat with a girl, to wanting to get myself in a better physical shape. Doing this, I had no idea that it would affect me mentally as much as it did. My belief is that exercising to be in a fit physical condition plays a role in how happy you are mentally.
The way that I am today, looking back on my mental attitude from then, I can notice drastic changes to this date. I am a lot more determined in most activities that I do, I like to participate a lot more, and I do not always want to be stuck inside or around the house "loathing everything". The reason for this is because I am in a more fit condition, physically, due to running. Back before high school, I would have never thought that exercising, especially running miles and miles, would have a result of making me a happier individual. In sixth through eighth grade, ...

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...ool, I can say my mental attitude has changed greatly. I know that being in a better physical condition has definitely improved who I am. I no longer am limited in the things that I do by what my body thinks I can handle. Being this way has made a much happier person and more confident in myself and who I am or can be. Since I have been running I have had more positive emotions compared to the negative ones. I am depressed and upset a lot less, and have become a much brighter person. I believe that everybody should at least try to get themselves into a good physical shape, not saying they should get themselves to be able to run miles on end, but at least get in some kind of good physical shape. It would really surprise some people how much it would affect them. Thanks to my grandpa, Will, and most importantly, running, I am a better person, physically and mentally.