The last blog was entitled YOU CANNOT FIX YOUR BODY IN A DAY. We discussed that we are all too sweet, and how dietary changes can help.
It is just as true that WE ARE ALL TOO SEDENTARY.
I have a lot of patients that say I am active, but when they monitor their steps they are getting less than 5000 steps a day. We all have our excuses. As a physician, I have probably heard them all.
Doc, I don’t have time.
Doc, I am too tired
Then there is “It is too cold outside.” That is usually followed a few months later by “It is too hot outside.”
Doc…my back hurts or my knee is giving me trouble.
God made the human body to MOVE! There is truth in the OLD adage, “If you don’t use it, you will lose it.” Each of our bodies is capable of so much more than we know or even dream of.
It is true that if we misuse and “junk up” our body, it will become sick and malfunction. However, even if we are very out of shape, overweight, and hurting, there is built into our systems a miraculous ability for repair. We are not like a fragile lamp that becomes useless once it is broken. Rather, God has given us an amazing ability to revamp and recondition our bodies.
Have you ever seen a piece of wood furniture that has been carefully restored? It is beautiful, right? Sure, when we look closely we can see signs of age, but a carefully restored antique can really catch the eye.
That is how we need to think about our bodies. Yes, they are creaky with a few scars but they can be refurbished. It just takes time, patience and persistence. So……
If you have a sedentary job….go purchase a standing desk
If you are mentally tired….discipline yourself to stop for 5 minutes every hour for a “quick fitness routine”
If your back hurts….buy a fitness mat and bring it to work and do some back exercises on your break
If your knee clicks (like mine does)….do “wall sits” on your breaks
MOTION TRULY IS LOTION
So…..If you are healthy, protect your health by remaining as active as you can be. If you are already having problems and cannot do much, do what you can.
Walk 50 feet today and you will be able to go a little further tomorrow.
Lift 5 pounds with your arms for a few days and your arm muscles will develop so that you can soon lift a little more.
Again, God has designed our bodies to respond to how we treat them. We deteriorate under poor care. We can improve under good care. Good care is hard work. It takes discipline but there is a reward!
