Today, I am reflecting on the Marches of my childhood. They featured a particularly poignant time with my Dad. We had a tradition of building a huge box kite out of brown paper and balsa wood sticks, attaching string and a long tail to it, and going to the football field on a windy spring day to launch it into the sky. It soared high for what seemed like eternity. My brother and I ran with it, pulled the string to adjust its course, worked together with my Dad’s coaching and encouragement, and were convinced that if only we had enough string, we could guide it to the moon. My Dad, brother and I played together for hours, and when we reluctantly wound the string back onto the spool and brought the kite back to Earth, we piled into his old pickup truck and headed home, rosy-cheeked and very satisfied. Without a moment’s hesitation, with great anticipation and with tremendous enjoyment, I had exercised for hours! So, as I reflect, I ask myself, “When did exercise quit being fun?”
Like most of you, I am aware that if I don’t use it, I will lose it. I know that the more I do, the more I will continue to be able do. I am aware that the more sedentary I become, the more strength, agility, balance and muscle mass I lose and the more likely I am to gain weight. I am aware of the various types of exercise: aerobic, resistance and flexibility as well as the many benefits of the various types: increase metabolism, reduce disease risk, improve cardio performance, increased calorie burn, preserving tone and building muscle, preserving bone mass, increasing energy and endurance, improving mood, reducing stress, speeding recovery from illness or injury (to name just a few). I understand that integrating all three regularly allows me to continue to live my very best life every day. However, these pragmatic reasons are not always enough to get me off the couch and out the door.
I benefit from willing cohorts who encourage me to go the distance with them. I love to have fun at whatever I do. I delight in feeling good. Going window shopping at a mall with some friends, talking about what we are seeing, being able to make it from the back of the parking lot, through every store, from one end to the other, people watching as we go, is a wonderful start. Walking around the park up the steep hill from my house and spotting wild flowers and animals with the neighbor’s kids is a fun way to add exercise to the day and gives their mom a break as well. Doing my own yardwork and maintaining a small garden and delighting in the results brings a huge smile. What am I saying … exercise is fun!!! I just have to find the joy in it that I felt as a child.
So, I am throwing away the excuses and complaints. I am checking with my doctor on limitations, watching for the caution signals as to when to slow it down or stop, and stepping into a more active phase of life. I know that if I am lying down, I can sit up. If I am sitting up, I can stand. And if I am already standing, I might as well go for a walk. I hope you will join me, as I really like company! As Theodore Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.”
I Care, Barb
By Norma Holcomb May 11, 2021
This is a good article for me to read today. I am 87 years old (will be in 45 nore days). My mind is active but body “not so much”. Recently I spent the evening with a friend,(less than 3 years older) who could harldy get out of her lift chair and then could hardly make it to the bath room. We trade books back and forth so her mind is active too. I can still get out of a chair without help. I am against lift chair, my reason is, it causes one to loose the muscle in the legs. (I have seen this happen to many of my friends.) I prctice getting up from a chair with out using my hands so that is no problem. I do notice lots of stiffness when bending over so I know I need to stretch more. As I read this article I know I need to do moe stretching and moving around. I want to have an active mind and an active body. I don’t want to run a race, I want to move feely around my home. Thankk you for sending an article on the day I needed it the most.
By Rebecca Achilles April 18, 2020
Barb, you sure brought back some some fond memories of my childhood! I envisioned running along holding my kite string up so my kite would fly high in the sky! It also made me remember how spontaneous my childhood play was! I need to think & move more like a child! With more caution but to still do it! Thanks again for all your words of encouragement! Stay safe!
By Rebecca Achilles April 18, 2020
Barb, you sure brought back some some fond memories of my childhood! I envisioned running along as I held my kite string up so my kite would fly high in the sky! It also made me remember how spontaneous my childhood play was! I need to think & move like a child! With more caution but to still do it! Thanks again for all your words of encouragement! Stay safe!
By Joan Murphy April 17, 2020
With my Diabetes and Arthritis it is good to keep moving these days…Doing the floor corridor, 2X daily.,,,close to 400 steps
Also got outside on a couple good days for a walk around the Parking of our Rec center….
Fully believe it all adds up
Using my walking Cane as I go..
By CK April 13, 2020
When I was young, was always busy and never thinking about eating, but had to be prompted too (def. very skinny)! Thanks for reminding us that we are more than capable of changing “HABITS” of not exercising into having “FUN” instead!! (BTW, made kites the same way from reading Sunday Newspaper w/instructions incl.)
Very much enjoy reading your columns, Barb C. (100%+++)
By Diane Myhre April 1, 2020
thanks for your comments. I used to ride my bike as a kid and am looking forward to doing it again. My Husband got me a bike for my 60th B. Day present!
By Wanda March 31, 2020
Thanks, Barb! Walking is such good exercise and so many of us have much more time to exercise in this time of self-isolation. Your blog reminded me how much I loved to move when I was a child, and I loved to move fast, fast, fast. Why did I allow that to go away?
By Carolyn Campbell March 31, 2020
loved just keep moving
By Carolyn Campbell March 31, 2020
Exercise is good for you No matter how you look at it.
By Eleanor Thompson March 31, 2020
Barb, thanks for your post brought back old memories of my kite day
I enjoyed
By Eleanor Thompson March 31, 2020
Barb , this brought back some old memories of my kite days.
since having to stay in I have done things that I have putting
off for along time some of which gave me some exercise I did
enjoy your post. thanks
Eleanor from chapter 9556 McDonough, Ga.
By Cheryl estenson Estenson March 31, 2020
Truly words of encouragement as we go day to day and week to week without our chapter meetings. Yes, exercise can be fun and I have been enjoying my walk with my husband who also can make it more challenging for me to go further each day. Thank you for the words of wisdom. Tops Hugs.
By Bonnie March 31, 2020
I would love to walk with any TOPS member.
By peggyq April 20, 2020
Bonnie, I am new with T.O.P.S. would like to walk with members also.
By SarahRosser March 31, 2020
You are so special, you sincerely care. I BELIEVE.
By melody March 31, 2020
Thank you, I really needed this. Today I will be taking ,my want to do something good for myself,One step at a time
By Val Webb March 30, 2020
Dear Barb, I really enjoy your Monday blogs today especially as it reminded my childhood & kits with my brother lovely memories.
Missing our TOPS meetings but try to keep in touch with fellow members.
I Care
Val
By Fran drozdz March 30, 2020
I loved your last paragraph! Rock on girl!
Blessings,
Fran
By Sylvia Duncan March 30, 2020
Yes, walking just 12 minutes each day now really helps
By Barbara Maroon March 30, 2020
I enjoyed reading this and wow Barb you ‘er soooooo right!! I remember the young me and how I was always going and going, it was fun!!
If you can I can, we can! Get up and get moving whatever speed just keep moving! Thanks for sharing!!