Are you happy with your level of fitness?
During busy or disruptive times in your life, it’s easy to let physical movement slide. This may very well be one of those times for you. And you may be feeling guilty about it.
If you’re busier than ever, feeling completely unmotivated, or struggling with your new routine (or lack of one) know this:
You are enough right in this very moment.
The world you’ve come up in will have you doubting your every move. And it’s SO not helpful. Instead, I invite you to zoom in on what you love most about your sweet self.
It’s only from a place of valuing yourself that you will grow in any area of your life. If you’ve done something you’re proud of once, you will do it again. Tuning in to the form of fitness you really need will increase your sense of calm and vitality, especially during challenging times.Â
What Does It For You?
I used to love the adrenaline high that I got from a good run. I also enjoyed taking brisk walks and meandering along wooded trails, but only on weekends.
When it comes to the debate over walking vs. running, I say do what makes you feel good. The important thing is to move – and stretch – your body regularly. When you walk or run consistently over a one month period, you’ll know which is the one for you.
A morning 5 KM run used to be my regular workout, with some weights thrown in. Then, as I approached my 40’s, I decided to take it easy on my joints and do more high intensity interval training (HIIT), mixed with yoga and walking. It just made me feel better.
Moving through crisis
Caring for your physical and emotional health is not only good for you, but for others as well. When you invest in self-care, you’re better prepared to care for those you love.
My sister got diagnosed with cancer in 2013. It was a complete shock, as she was only 43 and had two small children at home. This was my call to put my regular life on hold and show up for someone I cared deeply about. For the next six weeks, my family and I moved out of town so I could spend my days with my big sis in the hospital ICU.
Walking for emotional therapy
For my sanity, and to maintain my own health, I began taking 40 minute morning walks. It helped not only my body, but my mind, as I walked and poured my heart out to God. I didn’t do any other exercise during that time and yet I felt energized for each day ahead.
During the time my sister was in the hospital, my responsibilities as a wife and mother didn’t stop. I needed to have a time of daily solace to get my mind right. It was during my walks that I was able to find gratitude for all the good things in my life, in spite of the heartbreak my family was going through.
The rewards of slowing down
Slowing down to take in my surroundings and to breathe in the fresh air filled me up. I got used to seeing the same people each morning on the trail and it gave me a feeling of connectedness that was comforting. I allowed my mind to wander in search of silver linings to share with my sister that day.
I would have also benefitted from running. The endorphins are wonderful, of course. It just so happened that I felt like walking. I was caring for my body in the way that it needed to be cared for, instead of pushing it to stick to a fitness goal. In many ways, what I experienced during that season of my life helped me start listening to my body more attentively. To live more fully tuned-in to my soul.
The next chapter
Tragically, my sister passed away six weeks after her diagnosis. It was a total shock to all of us because it was very sudden. I’m forever thankful for all the time we were able to spend together in the end. Being present with her meant everything to me.
As always happens during times of loss, it seemed surreal just how quickly we all slipped back into our regular lives. And as I did, I found myself reinventing my self-care routine once more. My body and soul needed something different to help me emotionally heal.
A new purpose
I found myself looking for ways to help more people improve their health and wellness. I decided to begin this blog and threw myself into a whole new area of learning and growth. I connected with more people who want to live a vibrant, healthy life and a new layer of my purpose was birthed.
Several years later, I began another care-taking journey with a loved one. It caused me to shift my routine once again, but I was more ready and open to it. Interestingly, resuming my morning walk was the first self-care practice I began.
As I moved through that experience and onto others, I’ve gained a greater perspective on how to best care for myself, in the midst of crisis. I’m also confident that even though I may not know the outcome, simple daily practices are life-giving.
Tell Me:
What’s the most helpful act of self-care you’ve practiced when you’ve gone through difficult times? Have you found it more grounding to stay very active, or slow down? Please share your comment below. Your experience can be a big encouragement to others today.
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Blessings,
Sheila
