Now before you stop reading, because you think I’ve gone crazy, hear me out.  The lesson I learned recently was that there are many silver linings when it comes to growing older.   

One of those advantages is learning that as the years pass, I need to exercise to maintain my weight, and also to feel strong enough to tackle what life throws at me.  When I was in my 20s and even early 30s I could just wake up, eat whatever I liked and go about getting everything done.  Now it takes some effort.  I will be honest; at first I was depressed over this realization.  Then I began to see that as I started to incorporate daily exercise my body began responding in ways I could not have imagined.  I will also admit that exercising was never something I looked forward to, or really made a top priority before.  Now I can truthfully say it is a treasured part of my day.   

I have made a commitment, to myself, and my health, to do something just for me.  How many things do you do each day for other people?  A lot if you are like most of us.  Making the time to exercise is part of my self-care, or ME time and I feel blessed to have come so far, and have finally made that connection.   To have come from my old thinking of exercise is a chore, to the place of enJOYment is amazing!  

It didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen!  Now if you can’t even imagine this happening to you then try this tip.  Take out a piece of paper and list 3-5 things that you love to do that involve moving your body.  I’m not talking about running on the treadmill, or doing an exercise tape, unless that’s what you really love.  More power to you if that is the case, but if you are like a lot of us that seems more like work, especially after a long day.   

I’m talking about listing things that put a smile on your face.  Taking your dog for a walk, or just out back to throw a Frisbee.  Jumping on the trampoline with your kids, or even after they go to bed (who cares what those noisy neighbors think).  Picking up that Hula-Hoop in the yard and spinning it around and around for 5-10 minutes.  Go for a hike with your honey on your favorite trail and observe nature.  Dance around your apartment to your favorite tunes.  Whatever does it for you!   

Now that you made this list, make a commitment to yourself that you will do at least one of these things for yourself each day and have fun!  Put a smile on your face, which will help to make the connection from your heart to your brain that you really like moving your body and soak in the JOY!  Lose the chore mentality and get moving!  Soon you won’t even realize how simple it was to get your body to crave your daily dose of exercise.  It really can be that easy!  

Jennifer Wisnew, CHHC, AADP

Jennifer is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor, dedicated to her clients with a unique approach to build a life that truly brings them joy! She is the owner of Life Renovated Health Counseling, located in the lower Hudson Valley region of New York. Jennifer is an animal lover who loves cooking, reading, gardening, dancing and researching.