Its hard to stay motivated. Life gets in the way. You may want to keep with your program to improved fitness, but you are needed to work late. You have a flat tire on the way home. Family crisis happens. Thats just life. It's difficult not to want to cut back and get cozy under a blanket sipping hot tea when a cold, flu or other illness hits. Athletic or not, New Years Resolutions or not, we all have days when whatever is on our minds, how our body feels, disrupts the routine. When we are sick, having a crisis of some type, I think we need to give ourselves some time. Instead of giving in to the situation or completely giving up on your good intentions, give yourself permission to take the time to rest. Common sense tells us that if we are down with a bad cold or virus, exercising is not a good idea. But rest and healthy eating is important, so instead of throwing in the towel, why not resolve to give yourself a few days to feel better. You are sick, but that doesn't mean you toss out all your goals and hard work so far. Cutting back on your exercise plan doesn't mean you give yourself a pass on eating well. If you are sick, healthy eating is all the more important to your recovery. Once on the mend, slowly build up your activity level again. You haven't failed, you have taken care of your health.
Homework. Last week's session with the running coach left us homework, assigned for the month. Most of it has had to wait. Being under the weather, slows us down and is discouraging, but we don't need to throw the plan or the dream out of the window. Its ok to give in but don't give up. Because when we get sick, we don't maybe do the laundry when we routinely do it. But when we are better, we need to get up and wash, dry, fold and put away so we have clothes to wear. We consider it a necessity. Making exercise and eating right a necessity it should be in our lives. It helps cope with life stresses to be as strong and healthy as we can be.
Yesterday I ran into a group of women who were mostly all gray haired, happy, chatting away with each other. Some had walkers, some walked with difficulty, but they were enjoying the moment. These women were from a church group, had been meeting for a 3 x a week stretching, chair exercise and Tai Chi class. Those that were most ambulatory carried a chair for the ones that were not able to walk and carry. I would guess these women were on average 20 hrs older than I am. They were excitedly planning on the next class. It was cold, wet and very windy yesterday. But the enrichment of friendship, fellowship, and having something to look forward to when it would have been easier to stay home obviously had big benefits. They are older, have physical limitations and were living. The exercise also helps keep the mind and body strong. I was very impressed. I decided that I want to age that way. We are never too old to benefit from connections with others our age. Learning something new, exercise, and encouraging others must be good for the body, mind and spirit. I saw the proof yesterday. No matter what your activity level, health issues or restrictions, you can look and find some meaningful way to help stay healthy and age as gracefully as possible. Don't give up on yourself. Even a 10 minute walk or time in the library can enrich your life. Both are free. Look for opportunities to be with others. Meeting a friend for a coffee is inexpensive and can divert a case of cabin fever. There are exercise programs on TV. Churches are great for not only nurturing your spiritual self, but also meet people with similar interests, classes, support programs and opportunities to help others. There are free classes at many libraries. Craft classes are offered at many craft shops, and community adult education programs and these are all free for retired people or low cost. Find something you are interested in. It takes effort and some time to live better. You are worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment