Phil and I went to Eureka Springs, AR for our 28th Anniversary last weekend. We did some walking. Walking and talking up and down some hills on uneven, rocky sidewalks and streets. We took a street that was a very long, very steep hill. It was a "shortcut" to where we were headed. The picture does not do it justice. We totally underestimated the distance. When we got to the top, we turned around and thought about how grateful we are to have our physical fitness.
Being in good physical condition has opened so many opportunities and experiences for us. We talked about all the things we choose to do, such as taking this difficult shortcut, that others would not choose nor be able to do. These are the things to consider when you feel like you are not making progress or asking yourself "why bother?"
Your fitness matters!
It matters because it determines how well you live your life. Simply living isn’t enough. Are you living well? Are you able to do the things you enjoy? When we began making a list of ways fitness has positively impacted us personally, we couldn’t believe how quickly the list grew. Here is just a start to the many ways, other than looking better, that make life better as we age due to being fitter and stronger!
- Vacation activity choices (think hiking, skiing, golfing, swimming, zip lining, riding rides, standing in line...endless examples here!)
- Posture and improved bone density
- Better sleep
- Better sex (or any at all)
- Pride in your age (confidence)
- Playing (really play) with your current or future grandkids
- Strong metabolism (ultimately keeping your weight down and maintaining your muscle mass)
- Moving heavy things for any reason at all
- Better mobility (keeping you safe and able to get off the floor)
- Stronger immune system
- Household chores, yard work, and basic home maintenance (fix your own shit and save money)
- Self-defense or the ability to handle a physical crisis and the ability to recover from such events.
- Defend someone else or save a life. Do you know how exhausting giving CPR can be?
These are just the most obvious things to us in about a 15-minute conversation. I know it will be much longer. Feel free to chime in and send us any additions!
Think about the life you want to live. Be specific in the things you want to do in the next 10-20 years. You are building the person today that you will be in 10 years. Is that looking attractive to you, or do you have some work to do?
If you see the path you’re on is not leading you in the right direction, it’s time to change that direction NOW!
Reach out for help if you don’t know where or how to start.
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