Getting into shape

I’ve been working on this for a few years now (20?) — trying to get in the habit of exercising regularly. It’s so hard! I like to sit at home. And I tend to put physical fitness down with the low priorities. But it’s not. If I’m not in good shape, it makes life difficult. Not now, necessarily, but in years to come. So I need to really get into the habit now so that I can be in good shape as I get older.

Today I made it to the gym. There is still a certain amount of laziness and resistance, but what has helped the past couple of weeks is to just go — even if I don’t have a lot of time. I decided even if I’m just there for half an hour, that is better than nothing. I believe it will help me ease into doing it on a regular basis. And once I’m there, I enjoy it, and afterwards of course I feel great! In fact, this morning I was almost wishing I had a little more time to spend there. Step by step.

Getting into shape doesn’t have to be done perfectly. I’m just jumping in and doing what I can. That’s the hardest part. Even the outdoors. I like to go out for walks in the woods, and even have a friend who would like to go with me, but I often lack the motivation. We discussed it recently and will try to get organized and go walking this year.

We’re the same age. After a while, youth stops making up for laziness and bad eating habits, and one begins to notice that the body is aging and that it doesn’t bounce back as quickly from a flu or a late night out. That is a truth I have tried to ignore, but it’s there blaring into my face. I want to stay healthy and active as long as I possibly can. Now is the time to get moving!

In the past, I’ve jogged regularly, did chi gong regularly, rode my bike. Then something happened to get me out of the routine (appendicitis, pregnancy, studies, moving to a new town, bike accident, holidays, bouts of depression), and it took forever to get back into it — if at all. For today, I focus on picking myself up, taking the steps to get me where I need to go — just showing up. The rest will fall into place.

Get some fresh air!

Last night I picked two goddess cards to get a better take on the present situation. The first one I chose was Hathor: Receptivity. “Allow yourself to receive. That will strengthen your intuition, your energy and your ability to give.” The meanings range from “Be still and listen — let go of all feelings that hinder you to receive — ask for help — intensify your mediality — be aware that you are learning at the moment — healing is occurring — current issues are pregnancy, birth, adoption or custody decisions.” Just about everything is appropriate. I’ve even been wondering about children. I have two and always wanted three (except for when I was younger and didn’t want any children!). But I’m just about too old for that, so I guess it will require some coming to terms with the facts.

Then I picked a second card, since it seemed to be peeking out at me from the deck. Cordelia — Go outside! “You were in closed rooms too long. Go out and get some fresh air.” I usually intend to go out and actually love being outside, but there’s always so much else to DO!

Today was my last physical therapy treatment — a remnant from last June’s bicycle accident. In closing, the physical therapist advised me to drink lots of water and get fresh air. He reminded me that we need food and air to survive — and that we can survive considerably longer without food. That’s an interesting aspect, especially for someone like myself who 30 years ago desired to live only on air. (That doesn’t work long-term either!) I laughed and told him about the card I’d picked the night before.

By drinking more water and getting fresh air, I support my liver, detoxify and cleanse my body. In addition, there’s nothing like a walk in the woods to gather composure and spawn creativity. I smiled at that and told him I’d had the same experience by going back to bed this morning with coffee & music. That made him laugh. Okay, there’s more than one way to relax, heal and open one’s self to inspiration. I just need more balance.

His advice last week was: Do yoga regularly and get to the gym twice a week to strengthen up my left arm and shoulder, which are still weak from the accident. Believe me, I’ve been wanting to do that since last year! But there’s always something else to do. Well, since he told me that, I’ve actually been to the gym twice. As with anything else, I probably just need to develop the habit of going there. So I guess that’s kind of the resolution package for this new year: drink water, get enough exercise and plenty of fresh air. Boy, can it get any simpler than that?