Exercise Your Relationship: Take It Out For A Walk

“Happiness walks on busy feet.” Kitte Turmell
Most people are comfortable with their present relationship. Oh, they might like to be happier, they wouldn’t turn away more passion in their life and they may long for just that little bit more in their life together. But, as with any other situation, comfort seems to slow people down. When they are comfortable the drive to change or do more is not nearly as strong or persistent.

If your relationship is good and you are content with each other how do you move on to the next level? Just like any other part of your relationship, you need to look at yourself. Take stock of your energy levels, are your emotional potentials being fulfilled, do you feel spiritually fulfilled? How is your physical fitness, as good as it should or could be? “What does my physical shape have to do with my relationship?” you ask.

Well just remember the last time you made love, the time when you were really into it, emotionally, spiritually and physically. How did it go? Were you able to do the things you wanted to? Were you and your lover satisfied with the experience? Did you have to stop to catch your breath in the middle? Does the physical recovery take longer than the foreplay?

If you would just take a moment and think about it you would soon come to realize that physical passion takes a lot of strength, a lot of energy and a fair degree of flexibility. Just as the physicality of your relationship is a small, albeit an important, part of your total relationship, the physical demands of this part of your life are a small part of the total demands on your body and spirit.

To be emotionally in tune with each other, to be emotionally, spiritually and physically supportive requires that you have the ability to take care of yourself and then help your partner. Intense emotions, happy or sad, positive or negative, good or bad can be draining. To feel strong, intense passion, love, or concern can drain you for the moment.

As Thoreau put it, “an early morning walk is a blessing for the whole day,” especially if you walk together. A healthy fit relationship requires healthy fit people. So as a gift to yourself and your partner get a physical check-up on a regular basis, follow a good eating program—getting the proper amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables, drink enough water and start and maintain a fitness program that involves at least 30 minutes a day of cardiovascular work.

Being stronger and more fit will enhance your relationship, as you have more energy to give to it and your partner. Seneca, a Roman philosopher, stated; “it is part of the cure to wish to be cured.” It is part of a passionate, compassionate, romantic, loving and fun relationship to wish to have that kind of relationship. And that kind of relationship usually requires a level of fitness to carry it through.

Dallas Munkholm, B.A., B.Com., R.P.C.
Professional Counselor & Life Coach

Co-author of Marriage Prep: Beginnings a downloadable marriage preparation course

Co-author of Intimate Sex: Manual for Lovemaking, a sex manual for couples

Offers a free Nurturing Marriage Ezine