By: Alesa Arnett, NCSF-PT, GGS-1 ~ Your Fit and Kindred Sister Wellness for Body, Mind and Spirit
Fall…my favorite season! The crispness of the air and the sound of rustling leaves as they fall to the ground to reconnect with the earth. The autumn colors and heavier clothing make everything look and ‘feel’ a bit cozier than usual. It’s time to re-focus and drift into a better, if not different, forward momentum.
This issue calls for a bit of a shift from my health and fitness theme. The past few months were filled with unexpected surprises for me, requiring the need to change up my way of living. We closed on our new home after months of a roller coaster construction ride (mostly positive) and are currently moving, downsizing, and selling our previous home. Going from a bigger city to a small ‘country’ community comes with environmental changes; dirt roads make bike riding difficult, and loose cows and pigs are a thing! I have a remaining bladder prolapse and was diagnosed with Osteoporosis (all too commonly comes with aging) … I’ve read and learned SO much about both topics. Finally, I moved my Mother (a stroke survivor with cognitive deficits) from an Assisted Living facility to a long- term nursing home. Watching my Mom decline, despite the care and attention received, and observing the nursing home environment remind me that EVERY human may grow into a similar aging situation. These changes sobered me up; I CHOSE to do certain things differently, I take it all in with a grain of salt, and I keep on living! What SHOULD you do when faced with health/lifestyle challenges?
Do you simply follow the smorgasbord of ‘experts’ and what they say through their differing thoughts and beliefs? Must you give up things you enjoy? That’s a grandiose NO! What you CAN do is consider and use information from a variety of sources to transform your lifestyle into one you
feel most comfortable with. Evidence-based science (read the ‘fine print’), testimonials from those who’ve had similar experiences, books, YouTube videos, podcasts, your Doctors, etc. They all hold value. After my research, I modified my fitness activity and continue to feed my body nutritious foods. I found a local Book Club I now co-host, and started to embrace this new, evolving normal of mine. My new way of life is just as satisfying and blessed as the previous one.
At times, we all feel as though our glasses are half empty. We have these miraculous lives and have been entrusted to shape them with care and accountability. So, let us be thankful for the good health we DO have, for the opportunities to make them even better, and for the beautiful people that love and support us. We will easily recall that our glasses are indeed half-full.
Think of me when colorful leaves are falling and it’s time to refill your cup of hot cocoa!
Alesa is a proud retired Air Force Medic. She has been married to her best friend for 30 years, enjoys her three beautiful kids, and two grandsons, and visits with her Mom. She is now a very part-time Women’s Coaching Specialist, finally claiming to be ‘retired’, and living life peacefully. Email: myperkfitness@gmail.com