Enjoying your summer:
Life on Wheels!
– By Jacklyn Fernandez
Whether on a bicycle, scooter, pushing a stroller, or with
the assistance of a wheelchair or walker… Life on wheels
is a beneficial form of transportation for many reasons, and
getting out there during the summer can be a rewarding
way of seeing our community as part of a bigger picture.
Regardless of which form of wheels you choose to use, there
are going to be challenges and obstacles to face and overcome.
But actually your mind can be your biggest hurdle, keeping
you from staying fit. When it comes to exercise, age is just
a number, and no number is too high to get started with a
new activity.
There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that points to
physical activity being a key player in disease reduction, optimal
emotional and mental health, and longevity. Exercise reduces
a large number of health risks and affects conditions including
heart disease, dementia, depression, high blood pressure, and
even some cancers. So why are we not exercising enough?
We live sedentary lives. We’re busy people, with many busy
schedules and when the work day is finished we “need time
to relax” so we sit in front of the television for comfort and
distraction. With “everything in moderation” there is really
nothing wrong with that, unfortunately we have become
slaves to the electronic world and using these electronics have
taken over our TIME away from us, more than anything else.
It’s time for CHANGE
Life on wheels is a change of lifestyle. It means starting by
limiting our sedentary lives, choosing only one television
show per day and picking a form of transportation that isn’t
an automobile. By choosing a bicycle, a stroller to push, a
walker to support us, even a wheelchair or scooter, we are
choosing to change our sedentary lives.
If we are able to be mobile, there is no reason to refuse
exercise as part of our lifestyle. “Motion is lotion” they say,
and the more our bodies are in motion, the more they become
accustomed to staying in motion – the easier motion becomes.
Change is a mental state. You must embrace it! Just choose
to do ONE single thing differently in your daily routine and
you will be on your way to better health – and a lot more
happiness.
It’s TIME for change.
This is probably the most common reason for not exercising
enough: We just “don’t have the time”. We’re too busy, there
aren’t enough hours in the day, everyone’s sucking out your
energy to get their needs done first, there’s not enough time
for YOU. Is everyone’s energy taking control of your life?
Whose fault is that?
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