Exercise

Please understand I’m not anti-heavy work-out. If you enjoy that type of exercise and benefit from it, good for you. It concerns me that some people might feel that a less strenuous work-out isn’t as beneficial.

After his stroke, my husband endured many, many, hours of physical therapy to regain mobility; his “work-out” was no less than someone else running a 5K race.

Guess what? Good news! We don’t have to run a mile, do jumping jacks a hundred times or lift heavy weights to be healthy. We don’t even have to wear name brand shoes and outfits. Walking to the mailbox, walking around the block, stretching while seated in a chair taking in some deep breaths can help us all strengthen our bodies. WOW! Even gardening can count as a workout.

There isn’t anything wrong with running and jumping but don’t sell yourself short if you can’t. Use a cane or walker if you have to.

I measured off the length of our garage. It was twenty feet from kitchen door to garage door; it is twenty feet down my hall, thirty feet around my dining room table. Walking just a little way can lower blood sugar, help with balance and strengthen the heart and lungs and, help control weight gain.

Perhaps you watch Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune, take that time to incorporate some exercise. Sit up straight and breathe. That is good for your brain and your body.

Don’t get discouraged. Keep positive. Don’t ever give up. Keep movin’ and groovin’.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

Some day I will tell you about my experience with late night shopping and the Total Gym. Betty