I wrote the following blog a year ago, it seems like yesterday! In it I share some of the strongest motivators for me, personally, to move daily and choose fresh, vibrant, healthy foods at every meal. These people still motivate me today. Their zest for living. Their courage and strength. Their ability to face fear head on. Perhaps they, or someone you know like them, will inspire you to move, to choose healthy, and to do so because you can. I can report that my three friends have endured a lot this year and are living life. I am grateful to know them and be inspired daily.
Live Today, Don’t Wait for Tomorrow
This post takes a slightly different tone than most. It is more personal and comes from my heart and soul, and I want to share some thoughts and motivations with you. Perhaps the motivation will resonate with you. Perhaps you will find that your excuse for not being active, your excuse for not eating healthier just doesn’t stack up.
Beyond my personal health, quality of life, and role model motivators, there are a few other reasons that I exercise especially when I really don’t want to. Why I eat healthy first, despite sometimes wanting desert only. Because I can! Because I can make these choices and I have the ability and freedom to do so. Let me explain.
About 15 years ago, a co-worker's young, active nephew was diagnosed with cancer. He lived! However, going through treatments left him highly exposed to the potential for life threatening infections and he did not have the choice to go out and run or play. But I did. That’s when my motivation began to change. What excuse could I come up with that was really valid, despite the few times when injury or child birth slowed me down? I couldn’t come up with a reason, can you?
Then about five years ago a young girl in my neighborhood was diagnosed with cancer. It wrapped around her spine. As a young girl in middle school she told her mom she would rather take the chance and have treatments and a surgery that could potentially leave her paralyzed and without bladder and bowel function, and she wanted to live. How could I stay in “because I didn’t feel like it” when this vibrant young lady could not go out and play? Could not walk? What excuse did I really have compared to her. To this day when I pass her house, I pick up my pace whether I’m walking or running. She’s endured more surgeries, spent much of her high school years in treatment, but she lives! And today she is not in a wheelchair!
There are people who would give anything to get out and sweat, not stay in because it’s too hot. People who would love to walk or run, but are physically unable. So what if it’s not comfortable. So what if you don’t like to sweat. So what if you’re body is not in the condition your mind thinks it is. So what if you have a little (key word little) joint or muscle discomfort. You CAN condition your body and it WILL get easier. Will it get easier if you wait any longer? How long before it’s not a struggle- my guess is not too long. What’s stopping you from moving more today? Is that excuse worth it when compared to what you gain from being fit? Because you CAN, what’s stopping you?
My latest inspirations are my three friends in various stages of treatment for cancer. Two are in isolation areas in separate hospitals so that they don’t get exposed to a cold that could kill them. A cold! They would love the opportunity to choose to walk or run outside, to smell a flower, to eat a juicy, fresh berry or watermelon, or a peach. They would love the choice to say; I don’t care for a fresh and flavorful salad to crunch between my teeth. They don’t have the choice, but you do. Who knows, perhaps today’s one of those days they don’t care because they are just fighting to live. So what’s your excuse for not eating fresh fruits and vegetables at the height of the season of choices?
I challenge you to get out and move today, more than yesterday because you can. I challenge you to find a super box store if it truly is too hot, or later too cold, outside. I challenge you to smell a flower today. I challenge you to eat more juicy, sweet fruits and crunchy, mouthwatering vegetables, or any fruit or vegetable that you like. I challenge you to find an excuse for not making these healthy choices that is strong enough to stack up against the desire of those who don’t have this choice. Why, because you CAN. I lastly ask that you keep Patrick, Kennedy, Pam, Lyne, and Irene in your prayers and send positive energy their way.
