The hike I was doing yesterday would be considered pretty strenuous. There is a considerable elevation gain in a short distance. Lots of staircases built into the side of the mountain with frequent switch backs. I train on the step mill almost everyday, so my body is in good condition for this kind of activity. It was challenging, but it was very manageable for me to do without stopping to rest.
As I was making my climb I was actually thinking about how grateful I am to have a body that can do what I want it to do. That, at 40, I can do the same things I could do at 25 and with the same intensity and energy. I was thinking about how glad I am that I made a choice years ago to make this a lifestyle and glad that I continue to make that choice everyday.
As I was climbing I passed a couple of girls who were struggling on their hike. They were chipper, but clearly very tired. I passed them probably 40 minutes or so before I reached the lake (the destination of this hike) where I sat and hung out for about 20 minutes. I passed them again on my way back down the mountain, probably about 20 minutes after I had left the lake. They were still struggling and I stopped to talk to them. Still in good spirits but clearly very tired, they were pressing on, taking frequent breaks. I promised them they would be rewarded with sun and a spectacular view if they kept going.
After I left them and continued back down I realized how grateful I am, not only that I could do this hike but that it was relatively easy for me. But it isn't easy for me (or anyone else) because I'm "lucky", it's easy for me because I put in the hard work and the discipline every day. I choose to make it a priority over other things in my life. Saying yes to being healthy means saying no to things that don't help us meet those goals.
This is about awareness. It's not about making people feel bad. I know how much more difficult it is to do everything things when we carry extra weight. I can do chin ups just fine at my "happy weight" but add 15lbs and it's not going to happen - it makes my shoulders hurt and it's more weight to pull. I'm not as agile, my endurance is lacking and my joints hurt when I carry more weight. I can do more things when my weight is where it needs to be. I can be fit even when I'm heavier in weight, but it's not good for my body - I can feel it. I can run faster, I can breathe easier and I sleep better.
The girls along my path are just an example. As I made my way down the mountain I saw so many people who were having a hard time making the climb. It reminded me how few people actually make fitness a part of their everyday life. Overall health means moving every day, not just on the weekends when your buddies ask you to go hiking. It means sacrificing time watching Netflix (although you can do that while you do cardio!!) or something else that sounds more fun than working out.
We get ONE body. We have a choice if we want to feel as good at 40 as we do at 25. If you choose to take care of it regularly, it will continue to let you do all the things you want to do. Making it feel easy takes hard work but it's worth it.
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