We know that it’s impossible to find time to exercise when you hold down a job 
and are way tired from chronic illness symptoms. (Never mind walking the dog and carpooling the kids.) No, you’re not superman (or woman).
Clients tell me that they can’t get up even earlier or come home later to go to the gym. NO?
Read my interview of former NCAA college volleyball coach, Sue Medley, in my eNewsletter. She talks about what exercise can do and what it’s done for her (she lives with congenital mitochondrial myopathy.)
So how hard you trying? Do you think this really is critical to your health?
This is “Foundation” work. It’s fundamental to your being. Try these alternatives:Walk outside on your lunch break, starting with 10 and build to 20 minutes (what do you mean, you don’t take one),
Climb (slowly) the stairs in the hallway several times a day (increasing the number of flights over months)
Circle the parameter of the conference room or any empty office for 10 minutes twice a day (closing the door so no one sees you).Most important, do it with intention and purpose. You might not feel better today or even next week — but you will be healthier down the road. It’s helped my balance, my bone mass, my back pain and my energy level. Exercise (in moderation!) is one of the few things you CAN DO for yourself
Rosalind
ErinM says
I know this may not work for everyone, but I’m just going to throw it out there.
I struggled for a long time with the topic of exercise. I was rapidly gaining weight – 30 lb in two years – and needed to do something. But I hurt all the time, so it was hard.
My father-in-law goes to a martial arts studio. I went to a few of his belt tests and tournaments. I became fascinated. So I took a shot and enrolled.
It’s probably the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. It’s shockingly low-impact. Yes, there are some things that hurt. But I tell the instructor and he modifies them for me. Or tells me not to do it at all. It’s great stretching. It’s rewarding (belt tests/promotions are great ego-boosters). I get decent cardio. And it’s SCHEDULED!!! which is huge for me because I tend to put things off if they’re not routine.
I love the people there (including my father-in-law, of course!). They’re all very supportive and positive. It’s also a Christian-based studio, so it’s great for my faith.
And finally, it’s helped me lose weight. I’ve been doing it for a year, gradually increasing the number of classes I go to and I’ve even introduced sparring once a week into my routine. I’ve lost 15 pounds in two months. Now THAT’S rewarding.
(Sorry for the long-winded comment. I’m just very excited about my new-found passion and want to share it with the world!)
Rosalind says
Long winded? This is fantastic. I’d love to hear more stories like this. I used to just walk, then I got a dog to make sure I had to walk, then I added strength training (with someone who understood vulnerable bodies) and finally I added Pilattes. I love my routine and I think, like everything else, you need to love it or you won’t do it.