![Rounded stones arranged in a curving line on white background. More stones:-[url=http://www.istockphoto.com/file_search.php?action=file&lightboxID=4053403]here[/url]](../images/iStock_000006116931Medium.jpg "Snaking Line of Stones, Upright")
I hope that “Training for Health” is an enjoyable experience for you. When I use the word “training”, please do not think immediately of endless repetitions of various exercises that you hate – or pain that is intolerable – or going on some version of a diet that you cannot sustain and depletes your energy.
Instead, how about being curious, asking questions and finding out what feels right and works for you, as you pursue your goals of health and well-being? Sometimes we believe that if we do exactly what our friends, family members, or co-workers are doing, then we will feel great too! But is it right for you? Well, that depends. The best thing you can do is to search for the formula that is right for you! Have your plan, work your plan and modify as needed!
Having said that, it is important to have a strong foundation. Here are some of the pillars to building and sustaining good health:
As a child, my favourite movie was The Sound of Music. Its powerful songs, lyrics and melodies were a huge component of the movie. For those of you who know the movie, remember the phrase in the song, Do-ReMi:
“You start at the very beginning – a very good place to start – when you sing you begin with Do, Re, Mi…”
What could your Do-Re-Mi (or A, B, C) be with respect to your health and wellness? Where should you start, or how should you continue? Here are some suggestions:
And let’s not just think about exercise and nutrition…
When I took a program called Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physiotherapist Assistant at Mohawk College in early 2000, we did numerous case studies. We often looked at the biological, psychological, social and even ethical reasons that could be affecting individuals who were injured, had chronic conditions, lived in long-term care facilities, etc. I learned then, and still believe to this day, that the social component plays a huge role in health and wellness.
I learned so much from my Grandparents. They were both fortunate to live healthy, long lives – my Grandfather lived to just over 100 and my Grandmother to just under 100. As a child visiting them in their home in Victoria, where they lived during the winters, I recall going for daily walks with my Grandfather on the ocean walkway that was within walking distance of their home. I firmly believed that sometimes my Grandfather spent more time talking to people that he met along the way than actually walking. Either way, he got lots of valuable weight-bearing activity in the process!
My Grandmother would use the stairs to the basement as her form of exercise whenever she felt tired. I grew up hearing the phrase, “when your Grandmother is tired, she just goes to those stairs and goes up and down them a few times!” Other times she would be outside in the garden, tending to her prized holly bushes. A delightful box of fresh holly would always arrive at Christmas. This is one of my most cherished childhood memories.
How about, just for now, thinking about your A, B, C’s. It would be wonderful to hear what yours are. Send me an email.
Next month, I’ll share some of my important A’s. In the meantime, spend a few minutes enjoying this video (and the short commercial at the beginning) http://youtu.be/0IagRZBvLtw.
Thanks for reading and listening. Enjoy the rest of your day. Remember, before you make any changes to your daily routine, check with your doctor or health care practitioner.