Exorcising Exercise

Exercise, the very word conjures up a bad experience for me.  As a child I loved cruising on my yellow Schwinn and won neighborhood contests for the longest hula hoop sessions.  As a pre-teen, I never sat still and developed a weird attraction to Jack Lalane that was followed by a disdain for calisthenics at school.  It’s been a bumpy relationship.  The fact that my parents frequently sent notes to school asking that I not participate in sports because they were not the way a ‘Godly woman’ should behave, and their ban on dancing didn’t help.

But as an adult, I’ve tried.  To drop baby weight, I enjoyed Jazzercise classes twice a week with a girlfriend.  Years later I joined another friend each morning at 5:00 AM to walk and talk together on a beautiful tree laden street so we could ‘fit it in’ before the kids woke up.  I’ve paid for gym memberships and bought the gear to embrace, golf, tennis and racket ball without ever mastering a single sport.  The only horse I seem to consistently be able to get back on is walking.  I can do it alone, with others, indoors or out.  And good shoes or occasional sunscreen is the only equipment required.  And yet, aching joints, crazy schedules and the Texas sun seem to provide sufficient excuse to not do it as often as I like.

Fast forward to my recent visit by Mr. Arthur Itis.  He didn’t just show up, he took residence in every area of my body, ankles, wrists, and back.  So, I started physical therapy to learn how to increase core strength without aggravating those delicate bones and waking the dreaded pain monster.   After a few weeks my physical therapist recommended I get a stationary bike so I quickly put that on my Christmas gift list.  I found a small and inexpensive model on Amazon and ordered it in time for Christmas.  My sweet husband put it together and after the holidays, I climbed on in the early morning hours to enjoy a healthy cruise across the corner of the house I carved out just for taking better care of ME!

Initially, my husband was the only one who knew about the fall.  And only because I needed him to disassemble the thing so we could return it.  It’s a bit embarrassing to explain your stationary bike tipped over with you on it.  So, I grimaced and bared it until I noticed I couldn’t make a fist with my right hand nor grip a knife to cut my vegetables without pain. 

Surgery is scheduled next month to relieve the pinched nerves in both my elbow and wrist and then back to physical therapy to repair that damage.  What have I learned, besides the error of buying a cheap bike?  I’ve learned that all movement is beneficial, and slow walking is 100% better than no walking.  I might not like to exercise (bless you if you do), but I love being able to move freely.  My jazzercise days are over, but I’m moving every chance I get.  Instead of sitting, I’m standing at my desk to type this. Earlier, I enjoyed a mindful walk around the neighborhood and then meandered through the garden and bent low to appreciate today’s new growth.  I reached high to grab the oatmeal for breakfast as I did a little dance to a favorite tune.  In the end, every movement counts toward my better health. 

“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” (1Timothy 4:8 NLT)

“Regular physical activity is revitalizing. It makes us feel happier.  It reduces our stress. It helps us focus our minds. It helps us resiliently face our challenges and fuels our most cherished roles and responsibilities.”  (Michelle Segar, PhD No Sweat)

“If you’re busy and ten minutes is all you’ve got, use it.  Oh, ya!  Those ten short minutes will do wonders.” (Rip Esselstyn – The Engine 2 Diet)

Yours for a Joyful Journey,

Joyice