Believing Is Beginning

     It is really true--some basic fitness "problems" start in your mind. If you think you can't, without even trying, you are probably right.
    No one expects you to get up off of the couch and start running a marathon.  All you have to do is get up off of the couch.  Not feeling like getting up off of the couch?  Grab some bigger cans out of your food pantry and raise them up and down like hand weights.  Stand up and touch your toes. Or your knees.  Whatever you can reach. Walk out into your yard and pull some weeds.  Be a little more active every day.
      Sometimes, I don't feel like exercising at all.  I have to convince myself that I must do something, anything. Instead of running, I walk on the treadmill.  I try to mix it up a little bit and walk backwards on it.  You have to be careful when you do this, the treadmill has to go slower so you can get into a rhythm.  Or I just do some time on the bike.  I put my ear buds in and my You-Tube educational videos on and ride.       By the way, that is one thing that helps pass the time in any fitness activity.  If you find music you like, or an app that lets you run through the countryside or something fun on the TV that passes the time in front of the treadmill, it always makes exercising easier.  It doesn't matter what you believe you can do or what helps you do it better.  Just make sure you do it.


I think I can, I think I can...

Get Out and Be More Active!

 
     My wife and I attended the Blueberry Festival in Montrose yesterday.  Blueberries are very good for you, high in antioxidants and certain vitamins.  We parked at the bottom of the hill and walked up to the festival, then walked around for a little while.  We did treat ourselves to a little blueberry shortcake for our efforts.  We had a nice day.
     The point, really, of this story is that you should at least be fit enough to enjoy life.  To be able to get out, walk around, eat blueberries or even pick them, and have a pleasant day in the sunshine.  To be able to get out and make some memories.  Walking a little bit, a few times a week, is a good place to start.  Life isn't going to come to you, you need to go out and find it.
       Tuesday, we will be married one year.  Of course, we have been together now for ten.  I am looking forward to making memories, going on vacations, going to festivals or just for walks with her for the next ten years.  If she can put up with me, that is.

Life isn't black or white, you have to throw a little blueberry in there.

Keep On Trying

         

     I always say, healthy is not about the weight.  I truly feel the scale is the worst indicator of how fit a person really is. It's about feeling healthy.  It's about moving and trying. You need to be fit enough to walk a little bit or to be able to  tie your own shoes.
     You do make one healthy choice at a time, no one expects you to be perfect every day, every minute.  It is only expected that you try your best. You can choose to park in the top lot, the farthest parking space and walk into work a greater distance. You can park in the back of the store lot and walk a little further to the door. You can choose to take the stairs instead of the elevator. You can choose the side salad instead of the French Fries.  The decision is always yours.
       I was looking at the sayings that are posted in the picture attached to the blog.  I tried filling in the blanks. I'm happiest when I am running.  I'm happiest when I am with my wife, enjoying our life together.  Missteps are okay, because I'm not perfect.  It is about finding what works for you.  If walking  a block or two works for you, do it.  If stretching a little bit in the morning or riding the bike a little bit after dinner is your thing, that is fine.  If you like to swim, join a Y and swim a few laps during the week. Do what makes you happy, but ...just do it.

Here's To Healthy ...

Age Gracefully

     As I grow older, I realize how important remaining active is.  Exercise, taking small or large trips, hanging out with family and friends--all play a big role in how well we can live out our golden years.  As I mentioned before, you have to exercise your  mind too.  Read a book, read the newspaper, work some puzzles, take a class--any of these things can contribute to your cognitive well-being.
     Things happen in life that may make aging complex.  Health issues, divorce, financial woes, family problems all contribute to life becoming difficult.  How you face your problems, your attitude,your drive and your support system,  are all part of the battle to conquer those problems and live well.  Life keeps moving, you have to move with it.
     You really do need to keep moving.  A walk, a bike ride, some stretching, or just kicking some water on the beach are all positive steps toward aging gracefully.  Of course, you may need to take some ibuprofen for inflammation, that is natural.  Joints age, muscles ache and that is just a part of growing old.  Keep walking, keep laughing and keep being social.  You will age better for it, I promise.

Don't stop playing.

Take Your Brain For A Walk

     A little different twist this morning.  I like to help people believe that no matter what they do, it's better than doing nothing.  That is the truth.  Even if you walk a block, it's one block closer to feeling better.
     However, I do believe we need to stay mentally sharp too.  Night after night, TV bombards us with reality shows that just seem to be nothing but drama and problems.  We mindlessly watch one show after another, hoping to escape the day to day stresses that occur in our lives.  This is fine sometimes.
     My wife will tell you that I don't really watch much TV.  I play You Tube videos on various subjects in the universe, from GMOs to Physics to Music.  I try to learn Spanish or listen to debates on various topics.  Health and Wellness are my favorite videos, but I like to diversify.  When I really want to exercise my brain, I go out to Lumosity and try my skills at their site.  Now, I'm not saying to give TV up at all.  We love the Big Bang Theory, we watch Modern Family, we watch Jeopardy and try to answer what questions we can.  For fun we watch the Food Network, we like Chopped and the show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.  Watch what you like.  Just don't forget, to exercise your mind a little.  Keeping it sharp may help to delay or deter the onset of dementia.  Or just help you remember where you parked your car.

Keep your body and your mind sharp.

Walls, Part Two

   

 We all put some kind of walls up.  We don't think we can do something, we don't want to get hurt, we have aches and pains, etc.
We build the walls to protect ourselves.  Are we really denying ourselves?
     Life is full of experiences.  Skydiving, rappelling, white water rafting, are things that might seem a little extreme to some.  Running up to the top of  "30 Rock", running with thousands of people at Peachtree in Georgia, striving to get my PhD, all accomplishments I am proud of, but may definitely be hard for some people to even consider.  Even though my hip gets achy, my back might get a little stiff, some days I don't want to study or write papers, I would not stop doing any of it.
      What wall do you have up?  Do you think you can't exercise, so you don't even try?  You don't have time?  You have some aches and pains?  You can't change your eating habits because you really can't plan ahead?  Time to start taking the walls down brick by brick and realizing that excuses are just that...excuses.  No one wants you to jump out of an airplane.  I just want you to live a little more.  If you have never done something, how do you know you can't?   I always say, a little is better than nothing.  Eating right at one meal a day is better than eating poorly or on the run at all three meals.  Taking a look ahead at your week when you go to the grocery store and making some healthier, more convenient choices will help you do better during the week.  One step can turn into 100.

All in all it's just another brick in the wall...

Change Your Attitude

    There are times that I am upset or angry and I know if I get out for a run, I can clear my head.  I can think things through and change my attitude about them.  I also know when I am feeling like I am overdoing it with eating or drinking, I can run every day and know that I am doing something about it.  My aches and pains aren't as bad.  My mood is better. 

     My wife struggles with her weight and her own aches and pains.  She knows if she gets on the treadmill, even for fifteen minutes, she feels more in control and more accomplished.  

     So, why don't we exercise?  Most of the time it's excuses.  Too much to do, too many places to go, too tired to do it.  We don't feel well, we don't feel like our joints are cooperating, etc.  The truth is, exercise helps our joints, helps us to feel better and helps our bodies to work properly.  Exercise makes us  more flexible and we have a tendency to eat better when we are exercising,   Begin with making fun choices like dancing or swimming, something you enjoy, then you might get out for a walk.  It's summer, so enjoy the weather and your time in the sunshine.  

     Also, Happy Father's Day to all of the Fathers out there.  Today is a good day to get outside and do something that you like to do while absorbing some Vitamin D.  Miniature golf or go-carts anyone?

Get out and do something for Father's Day!