When I was younger. So much younger than today. I used to take care of my body for vanity reasons. In some ways, I still do. But let’s face it. Being an old broad, is a humbling experience at the very least. And not always a pretty picture at best.
Back then, I didn’t need anybody’s help with motivation. No one had to get all up in my face like a drill sergeant and order me to do 100 pushups. When I was a young girl, all I had to do was look in the mirror. Today, I just wake up (gratefully) and I know. Gotta keep moving. Or lose it. True story.
To some degree, vanity still plays a part in my fitness routine. Not sure that’s ever going to go away. But mostly I work out to stay alive. A bit of an exaggeration perhaps. I am prone to embellish, pile it on or even sometimes make the odd mountain out of a measly molehill. But the bottom line is I am doing the very best I can to thrive while I am alive. I mean it’s pointless afterwards. So, there’s that.
Most days, the challenge is to find the body bits and bobs in this old caboose that don’t hurt. Not sure when it started, but one day I turned around (or turned my head because that’s easier than a full-body twirl) and the realization hit me like a Mack truck barrelling down the highway. This aging shit sucks. Big time. Why does everything have to hurt so much? I whine. Whimper. Mewl and moan. I even complain to my husband. We compare notes. But I pinky swear that I only indulge in a 5-minute daily pity-party. First thing, just to get it out of the way.
And then I get going. I move. At my own pace. And to the beat of my own internal drum. My rhythm. My ripple. My rap. My rules.
Daily yoga practice. Early morning dog walks. End-of-day dog walks. Up and down the mighty hills of Rockheights I go. Climb forty-two and a half steps into the park. Traverse a few chip trails. Hug a Garry Oak tree or two along the way. Dance around the house to old rock tunes. Saturday morning brutal ballet. Monday night Yin Yoga. E-trike rides whenever I’m moved. Pull weeds and water the garden.
Seaside meditations. Raven calls. Crow conversations. Butterfly beats. Deep breaths in. Gratitude out. Rinse and repeat. Daily.
