#4 New Year, New Beginnings

Happy and Healthy New Year to you all! May 2015 bring you much peace, comfort, and joy.

On this first day of the new year, the one thing I really know about myself is that I tend to put a lot on my plate. My friends and family would be the first to step up and congratulate me for admitting this. I put a lot on my plate because I am good at multi-tasking and I know I can get things done. While I’m good at multi-tasking, I tend to put exercise last on my list of things to do; not necessarily because I don’t want to, but because I’m usually too exhausted to move once my day is done.  In the middle of my day, I can’t wait to exercise, but when the time comes, I’m spent.

Yoga is one of my first loves, and nothing clears my head and jump-starts my creativity like a nice brisk walk. I don’t need a run.  I’ve tried hard to be a runner.  I’ve always longed to yell to my family as I throw on my sneakers, “I’m going for a run!” but hard as I try, it’s just not in me.  I’m not a runner, I’m a walker.  I’ve labeled myself so.  That’s the story I tell myself and I’m sticking to it.

So today, as I sit, cuddled up on the couch under my favorite blanket, reading my new favorite Ina Garten cookbook given to me by my nephew-in-law in our family Christmas grab-bag (Thanks Joel xo), I am challenged to leave my cozy spot and step out into this 35-degree day as I watch my dedicated husband and daughter dress to go for their run at the track around the corner.

Ugh…how do I turn my head when the yoga studio is closed for the holiday? It’s the first day of the new year and I LOVE THE OUTDOORS! This is my opportunity to exercise today. It’s just that right now I’m so snuggly but I know what I need to do.  I need to make the choice that will make me feel good not necessarily now, but later….. and for longer.  I do the right thing and get up. I dress for a nice cold walk around the track.  I could care less what I look like. I don’t even have time to care because Brady and Steve are walking out the door. While I’m a huge advocate of looking your best even when getting the newspaper at the end of the driveway, getting out to walk is more important than looks today.

My daughter and husband are in their running best with me trailing behind in my new black birthday parka; a hot mess of mismatch.  Red, Swiftwater Intermediate headband that no breeze will penetrate; long johns beneath one of the kid’s green school sweatpants; the warmest gloves and the warmest socks I could find and I’m ready to go.

I giggled to myself as I walked out the door.  I love not caring about how I look, just as much as I care.  The walk is wonderful.  I love the freezing cold, the wind, watching Steve and Brady run passed me as I am totally at peace with walking.

I know that if I don’t honor my mind and body and stop to rest and be still, my body retaliates big time. It gets me back with respiratory infections, dizzy spells, and horrendous stomach issues. I believe seven years ago my cancer diagnosis was a message for me to stop and slow down.  I wasn’t paying attention to the signs and signals being sent to me so my body said, “Ok, you won’t listen to me?!  Well, maybe you’ll listen to this!”

I know that exercise is what my body needs to balance out all that I put on my plate. When I am consistent with moving and listening to what my body needs, all is right in my world.

Make the choice to move this year in the way that best suits you.  Don’t concern yourself with what anyone else is doing, do what your inner wisdom tells you is right for YOU and celebrate that; then you can go back to snuggling.