This column is titled "10 Ways to Help You Live a Healthy Lifestyle." Thus far, we have discussed most of them, including; Adopt a healthy diet, Nourish your friendships, Be pro-active in managing change, Communicate with others, Challenge yourself, Stay active - physically and mentally, and Don't let physical limitations isolate you.
This time it's about finding the "Steady Eddie" in you.
If you are into a workout routine, a routine you have adhered to for some time, you didn't get to where you are in terms of length of workout, number of reps, or level of difficulty without pacing yourself.
Your body is equipped with monitors that tell you to slow down when out of breath, or take a break when the muscles in your arms can't lift that dumbell as effectively as when you started.
Many times, in conversation with a hiker, the person will turn to me and say, "Would you like to go ahead of me because I'm slow." There is a phrase used over and over to friends, family, and fellow-hikers. "It's not how fast you get to the destination, It's how well you enjoyed the journey."
It's critical to focus on ones footing, balance, and most important, your surroundings. On trail, one should be fully absorbed in the moment by seeing, smelling, touching, and hearing all that nature has to offer.
As a proud "Boomer," I am not always impressed with the fast pace at which society moves. Those of us of a certain age, have come thru a period of exceptional growth in the information technology field.
Our kids (both are actually in their 40's but they are still our kids) faces are buried in their smart phones. They drive (against the law) with a phone to their ear...not where that second hand is supposed to be, on the steering wheel. Then there is texting, don't get me going on texting. Lets just say, I would not be disappointed if the capability for texting were to be gone tomorrow.
The next generation (our grandsons) can't get enough IT in a day. We attended a sporting event recently to watch our 12-year-old grandson compete. After the event, we were walking to meet him. As we approached, I noticed he was preoccupied by the overpriced, hi-tech, world-at-my-finger-tips device in his hand. It's amazing how kids can walk among a crowd of people, never looking up, eyes and mind riveted to a palm-size screen, all the while "Communicating" with somebody - that somebody is not his grandparents - because he just walked by us without realizing we were there.
OK, I got that all out in one paragraph. I feel much better.
When I was 12, if I ever dissed my grandfather (I would not even think about it), there would be h_ _ _ to pay. There would be a verbal tongue lashing from my grandfather followed by a swift kick in the a _ _.
There is no getting away from the hype from companies today. Time after time, TV commercials tell us...'Our product is faster than their product. Ours is smaller, lighter, it comes with more colors, and it's only dollars/month for a limited time, if you call today. GIVE ME A BREAK!
No matter if we are talking about vehicles, or running shoes, it's about how fast, how powerful, or how far it goes.
I'm no doctor but my suggestion is PACE YOURSELF, YOU KNOW YOUR BODY.
I always admire the people from the countryside who were used to chopping woods, swimming in the ocean, climbing coconut trees and all the hard work. They look healthier and stronger. People in the cities, after the 8-5 desk job, they'd go home, then watch tv while eating burger and fries.
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