Early morning appointments can interrupt a daily routine.  When you spill coffee down the front of your shirt and have to do a wardrobe change, it merely adds to the pressure of hitting the appointment on time.

Having fallen prey to this problem, I hopped into my car and almost flew to the San Diego freeway.  8:15 a.m. was right around the corner (Yes, I love to push the speed limit beyond the boundaries).

Fast forward several hours and I am back on the freeway heading home.  It is hot and as I reach over to flip the air conditioner on, I see that the gas gauge is totally empty.  The yellow light is blinking, there are zero bars left on the meter.  This could be major trouble.

Panic time!  I can visualize being stranded on the side of 163 North, with traffic whizzing by at 75 MPH.  There’s ten, maybe twelve miles to go before a gas station is handy.  It is time to drive in the slow lane, without the air conditioner and keep my fingers , toes and legs crossed in hopes of making those last few miles.

That stretch of road lasts for an eternity.  It is time to refocus on reaching-the-gas-station goal.

How often do we pay more attention to our cars than our own body?   We change the oil regularly, rotate the tires, take them in for scheduled checkups and fill the gas tanks (unless we have a senior moment where we fail to LOOK at the gauge).

Juxtapose that with how we treat our bodies.  How often do you:

•    Sit at your computer for hour after hour without stretching?
•    Just grab something from the refrigerator and fail to eat a balanced diet?
•    Hit the 9:00 p.m. part of the day without your daily workout, thinking manana?
•    Put off drinking the recommended amount of water for your body type?
•    Have a 10:00 p.m. waffle or toast oozing with butter and peanut butter?
•    Delay that dental appointment because you are too busy?

Sorry to admit it, but I’m guilty of ALL of the above infractions.

How many of us take better care of our cars or pets than we take care of ourselves?

Prior to 2005 I took health for granted.  I broke most (if not all) of the rules for healthy living.  July 9, 2005 was a pivotal moment where I was told that I had primary progressive multiple sclerosis.  Suffice it to say that I no longer consider health a “given”.  It is a sacred treasure!  Cars can be replaced.  It is much more difficult to rebuild your body.

If my example can help one other person reform their health habits before it is too late, then this experience has been worth it.

Stop before you blithely continue to ignore your most important asset—YOU!

To Your Vibrant Health,

Dar

This morning, while stumbling out of bed, a set of 4 lb. green dumbbells were staring at me.  My son had purchased them last night.  Huge, supportive hint, right?  It is time to take the mushy arms (aka relief society arms) and work them into muscles of steel.

Need you review a few of the gazillion reasons for exercise?  Check out the Mayo Clinic’s top ten list.

Are you willing to set an exercise goal with me?  I’ll promise to hold you accountable if you do.  I’m ready to get down to business, start sweating, and make exercising fun!?!

Let’s Rock,

Dar

While I generally am able to re-frame the least enjoyable items on my “To Do List” into more positive goals, when it comes to exercise, it’s a different story.   Moan, groan, there are so many other things to do, right?  So this article could have easily been titled “Note To Self On WHY To Exercise.”

Why is it that some of the most simple, basic things in life are so easy to forget (such as looking after our health)?  Why should I push through that cardio exercise today?  There are so many other urgent matters to attend to.  Here’s why:

According to the Mayo Clinic, the top 10 reasons to get physical are:

1.    Weight control. Combined with a healthy diet, aerobic exercise helps you maintain/lose weight.

2.    Increase your stamina. Over the long term, you’ll enjoy increased stamina and reduced fatigue.

3.    Ward off viral illnesses. Aerobic exercise activates your immune system.

4.    Reduce health risks. Aerobic exercise reduces the risk of many conditions, including obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain types of cancer. Weight-bearing aerobic exercises, such as walking, reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

5.    Manage chronic conditions. Aerobic exercise helps lower high blood pressure and control blood sugar.

6.    Strengthen your heart.  A stronger heart doesn’t need to beat as fast. A stronger heart also pumps blood more efficiently, which improves blood flow to all parts of your body.

7.    Keep your arteries clear. Aerobic exercise boosts your high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol and lowers your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad,” cholesterol.

8.    Elevate your mood. Aerobic exercise can ease the gloominess of depression, reduce the tension associated with anxiety and promote relaxation.  Let those good old endorphins kick in!

9.    Stay active and independent as you age. Aerobic exercise keeps your muscles strong, which can help you maintain mobility as you get older. Aerobic exercise also keeps your mind sharp. At least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three days a week can reduce cognitive decline in older adults.

10.    Live longer. People who participate in regular aerobic exercise live longer than those who don’t exercise regularly.

If you want to have improved digestion, a sparkle and radiance to your complexion, and improved posture, please join me in the greatest body tune-up of all time.

I’ve made a commitment to gradually work up to an hour of daily exercise by September, 23rd, the end of the summer.  Can I count you in on the challenge?  Are you willing to step up to the plate and maximize your health?  If you are, I’d love to know what your specific goals will be.  What will you commit to achieving by September 23, 2010?

To Our Sparkling Health,

Dar