We all have a beginning…a time when we were a baby, and how fast the years go as we grow older. But the tone that is set at that beginning can be a determining factor on how you will continue on with certain things as you get older. That is not to say that we cannot all change, but the effort involved in can be much easier if we start young. I exercise every day, and I will trace my roots back “to my beginning”. Here I am with my twin brother Don as we are being held by our older brothers, getting ready to be taken on a bike ride. Even back then, we were active. Of course, back then, we did not have all the electronics we have now, and only had 3 stations on a TV, and it was black and white. So we spend many hours outside playing, and being active. And, having our older siblings to follow, and learn from them.
My sister Mary had us out for a walk in our double stroller. The whole family could be out and be active. That is so important, even more so now today, with all the advancements we have, and all the different modes of entertainment we have to make us stay inside. Get out and get moving. When we were all small, we were all very active, and moving. We are made to move. We learned over time how to slow down, and maybe take the easier route. But we need to keep moving. “Use is or lose it”. I will tell that to my patients on an almost daily basis.
Here we are getting into everything. Always busy, always moving. Remember those days, and keep the same spirit of moving alive. My grandma would always tell us that we needed to get outside and play or the “moss would grow under our feet”. Words of wisdom!
So step up to the front. Become a leader to those around you. Most important, be a leader to yourself, and prove that you can be more active. I will continue to show over time as I grew older how activities were a part of my life…the life of a running doc! The only problem is we did not have the cameras readily available to take pictures all the time like we do now. I had to do a lot of digging to try and find these! My patients will hear me tell them everyday that they need to keep working on their diet and increase their activity, and hear from me that “I will be telling you this until you are not here anymore!”. Keep active, make it fun. “Play to joyous abandon!” Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 3564