Last weekend Team Mustache: The Best Walking Team This Side of the Mississippi walked in the Victorian Classic 2K Race. It was miserably cold and our mustaches were not doing their job of keeping us warm, but they sure brought on a lot of smiles. Walking in this race was part of my 40/40 Challenge and although I didn't win I had a great time gathering strong women from all parts of my life to be part of this event to raise money for a free health clinic in town. (I did race foot to foot with the lovely and silly Margot the Clown - wonder if someone got that on film!)
As I was walking I realized how not in shape I am and how the only one to blame for that is me. Making time for physical fitness is or should be just as important as whipping up an amazing vegetarian tortilla soup. It is all about priorities. The question is how do we recommit over and over to our health?
I think one key is seeing it as an essential part of our life. Just as essential as work, eating, cleaning, organizing, sleep - all the pieces that take more time and seem to get done. If something isn't important it just gets pushed off the calendar. I want to be in amazing shape. I want to be able to run that simple 2K. I want to see myself have the physical stamina to run, hike, and play as hard as I want to.
The only thing stopping me: me.
So, just like I drag my ass to the cushion 4-6 times a week I can drag my feet to the treadmill, dance class, hiking - I can make time to take care of myself. I may never love it, but I bet I will love the results. Here's to recommitting to making exercise a valid and important part of my 40th year!
