Exercise is a state of mind

Sit back and let me tell you a tale about one of the stupidest things I’ve ever done in my life.

Many moons ago, I was married to an extremely smart professor who lifted weights six days a week and rested on the Sabbath. I never felt the need to work out (weight lift), but he encouraged me to at least work out 2 days a week with him. One day for the upper body, and the second for the lower body. I didn’t feel my body was that out of shape, but I did give birth to two kids. Ladies, you can certainly relate to how our body changes to accommodate giving birth. But I digress, so back on to the story.

After a few months of working out with the smart professor, my body got firm in areas I wasn’t previously firm. I liked the look, the feel, and boy did it do wonders for my self-esteem. I could wear a mini skirt again! Back then, that was HOT!

One thing I didn’t like was being forced to work out. I had to do sit-ups before bed and in the morning. He’d comment on what I ate if he felt it wasn’t what I should be eating. You probably guessed by now, that he was a control freak. I don’t like the word freak, but it conveys what I need to get across in this tale.

We ended up getting a divorce for lots of reasons. I wished him well and left with two kids in tow. I was grateful for the tight thighs and feeling great about my body, which I owed all that to him and his control. BUT in my rebellion of not wanting to be controlled, I STOPPED working out from that point on! That was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. So so wrong…

Fast forward fifteen years, here I am mid-fifties struggling to lose because it’s even harder at my age now! I get up at 5:45 am to get my butt to the gym and work out at least 3 times a week. BUT I LOVE to work out now. I FEEL so much better and have more energy than when I don’t work out. I notice a high feeling on the days I do work on my body. The only difference is – No one is forcing me now. I simply do it for myself and my own health.

I’m glad this tale has a happy ending, but I sure wish I could go back in time and change that stupid moment in time! (LOL) Life is a journey… ups and downs… good and bad.

Exercise is really a state of mind! It’s all in how you look at it.

Love and blessings – and here’s to our health.

Deanna

Feeling Connected

One thing the pandemic did for me was made me further disconnect from life, and others, and made the isolation difficult. I am single so I didn’t have anyone to hunker down with except for my beloved pets during that time.

I am definitely a people person, but I slowly became okay with being quiet, being at home, and pulling away from everyone.

I didn’t get depressed nor had thoughts of suicide, I simply became custom to the isolation.

Fast forward to now, I’m back to being fully connected. I feel so much happier now. I have a fabulous job with incredible co-workers. I feel blessed to go to work every day where we all are working together for the same goal. Everyone helps everyone and there isn’t anyone who feels they are superior and it’s beneath them to help on that level. This feels more like a family. I wouldn’t know how blessed I am had it not been for the isolation and knowing what it’s like to feel like I was alone on an island.

I count my blessings. I feel connected again to life, happiness, and others.

Deanna