Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone,
How are you feeling today? I'm at that point in the holidays where I let out a big "ahhh" and look forward to a day where I don't have to wrap, bake or sing another carol. It's time to work on the next 3-D puzzle with my kids and make a non-cheesy dinner from the latest Chatelaine.
As we led up to Christmas, I was in one of those moments where I was fed-up with emotionally balancing the consumption of goodies with regular meals and workouts. I was also questioning why our increased focus on physical attributes has only resulted in us being more unhealthy. My hubby happened to be trapped in the kitchen during my tirade and responded, "Sue, we weren't created to be sedentary, that's the reason for it." Hmmmm, that gave me something to chew on for a while .
Fast forward about a week, and I was lying in bed reading a light mushy novel when this quote from Matt Ridley popped out: "life-forms change to suit the myriad opportunities afforded by the physical environment and by other life-forms". Remembering the December 19th storm walk (see picture above), it all came together for me.
- We can't go back in time to how it used to be, although sometimes the pull of living off the land and running around in a cute cavewoman outfit is enticing to me.
- We can embrace many of the principles of when we were a newer society - like moving everyday (snowstorm or not), focusing on natural, unpackaged foods and sleeping to heal the body.
- We can strive to remove the sedentary ploys and select activities that constantly ask our bodies to evole - standing on a vibrating pad just isn't going to do it for me....that's like taking a reclining chair and adding a jiggle and a wiggle.
During Tread Powerfully, are we returning to how it "used to be"? I really think we are.
The spring was a tad wet, the summer caused us to pour sweat and the winter conditions are now forcing us to change our routes and focus more on muscle circuits. We have tuned our bodies into the physical environment that is constantly in flux with its changing temperatures and landscapes. We aren't punishing our bodies, we are evolving with our natural environment. We may not be trudging with our spears to find our next dinner, but we are treading with our weights and the rain, heat or storm won't stop us from feeding our selves.
On our Christmas Eve drive to my parents' home I decided to pick up the latest issue of Oprah on recommendation from one of our TPers. Oprah decided to speak to her physical challenges we've all seen evidence of during the last year. We all have our own views on Oprah's physical quest, and to me (and this is my personal opinion), she is an example of what so many experience when January 1st hits. Picking a resolution and applying extreme and punishing efforts to achieve it, whatever the goal is. Eventually, the body and soul do rebel from the unnatural efforts. I've been there and I'm sure you have as well.
My wish for you in 2009 is my wish for you always:
Do what makes you feel amazing..during the experience and after (a pedicure, a good book, a long run, some dark chocolate and a glass of red).
Gently and slowly explore what returning to natural means to you (adjusting your sleep patterns, cooking for yourself, exercising in a way that doesn't suck the life out of you, committing to eating lots of veggies and fruits).
Make no excuses for remaining true to yourself. If you need to say "no" to someone in order to stay happy, guilt-free and able to cope, do it. If putting your jammies on at 7 pm or keeping them on until noon is what is required to renew your self, jammie on!
Sue
