What does that even mean? Over the years I’ve heard this phrase time and time again. An article when googling the phrase tells me it was penned by Henry David Thoreau in the 1800’s but I couldn’t find anything concrete to collaborate that. So, I’ll take it at face value and assume Thoreau did indeed pen it.
Again what does it mean? To me it means move your body or lose functionality. It’s as simple as that in my opinion.
In my early 20’s I decided I needed to be thinner and fitter so I joined a gym with every intention of going to the then popular aerobics classes. I bought some snazzy matching workout clothes in preparation of attending the classes.
I went to a few overcrowded classes, couldn’t keep up, didn’t have the rhythm and was discouraged. It was then and there that I knew I had to find something I liked, not something that was popular. If I were to succeed I needed to have fun working out. My quest began.
I’ve walked, I’ve done bodyweight exercises, I’ve lifted light weights, I’ve run, I’ve kickboxed, I’ve in-line speed-skated, I’ve done yoga and I’ve cycled. I’ve enjoyed almost all to my astonishment. I’ve done them at different times in my life when my body was able to do those things. At this point at 63 there’s only a few activities my body screams at so I’ve given them up. I do try to continue with the others albeit at easier intensity and pace. As I age I find it more difficult to keep pace with my younger self but I keep moving every single day. Some days are light movements, others more complex.
Why do I continue moving? The answer is simple.
As the years have passed I’ve noticed a difference between people who’ve moved and those who haven’t. And unfortunately, from what I’ve seen, those people I know who haven’t moved in their lives appear to have mobility issues (without any underlying medical issues as far as I know) compared to those people I know who were active. Just my observation and opinion of course.
So my long term plan is to keep on moving doing whatever activities both I and my body enjoy.
Until the next time.
My grandma always said "You rest, you rust." She was a small woman with incredible strength and endurance. Grandma worked hard her entire life and moved every day until a stroke at 82 stopped her. We definitely need to keep moving to stay flexible AND functional!