who know me know I hate exercising. I feel like the human body should have evolved so it is always in shape. That way I would not have to run in circles for long stretches of time as my body cramps and perspires and I fail to take in the appropriate amount of oxygen.

Yet, when second semester came around this year, I found myself out of breath in Student Services, pestering my counselor to find me a spot in the Strength Training class.

The logical question would then be, “Why were you so desperate to be in Strength Training if you hate exercising?”

A scheduling conflict.

Going into junior year, to make sure I had all of the academic classes I wanted to take, I needed to take Strength Training instead of Team Sports. After finding out about the change, I cried for a week and felt angry with the system, like somehow the GBN computers wanted me to be miserable. As if second semester junior year was not hard enough, I now had to suffer through physical torture.

On the first day of class last year, Mr. Ziemke asked me what I was hoping to get out of the class. I was blunt. I told him I did not sign up for the class, and I did not want to be there. He laughed and told me that was okay and he would work hard to make sure I liked it by the end of the year. I rolled my eyes at him.

After a semester of 120 crunches, 10 push-ups, 20 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of lifting every class, I was hooked. I was proud of myself for getting through the semester with only a few tears, and I just felt healthier.

Strength Training gave me confidence. It helped me recognize that even when something appears to be wrong or the opposite of what I want, there is always something new to learn about myself and my abilities.

Scheduling conflicts are frustrating. They are scary. They make you feel like your year will be horrible because you didn’t get the teacher or class you wanted.

But crying over what you perceive as a bad schedule is not the right reaction. We all should be welcoming new opportunities to learn something new about a subject and ourselves.

If I can end high school enjoying exercise, you may end up liking the teacher or class you never expected.