I never thought I’d have a sit down job—I mean almost 24/7. Being the editor-in-chief of Transformational Living Magazine became more challenging than lifting weights, my favorite form of exercising. Anybody who knows me knows how much I love lifting and lifting heavy. I am proud to brag that I lift more weight than my husband in the gym who is as equally proud to accompany me and humbly allow me to rule in this sacred space we share together. However, the day he bought me a fitness GPS was the day when I was shocked by TRUTH. Ooh, how I love truth when it challenges me to do better.
The Shock of My Life
One day I finally decided to wear the fitness GPS. The bright blue wrist band watch had been sitting on the mail desk in the kitchen for almost 2 months. I went online to find out how many steps I should aim for in a day. Ten thousand steps were recommended. I put on my fitness GPS early that morning. Twelve O’clock came. I looked down at the GPS watch. I got the shock of my life. Seven hundred and fifty steps. That’s all! I have to do something, I thought. Lunch time was 15 minutes away. I called in for my usual brown rice and salmon with grilled vegetables. My order would be ready in 10 minutes said the female voice on the phone. I told her I’ll be there in 20 minutes. I was going to walk instead of drive. The Japanese restaurant was only 7 minutes away by car, but I needed some steps.
Nature
Besides for the strange looks from people that I got, the walk was exhilarating. It was like life had slowed down. I saw the trees as if for the first time. I had passed these trees that lined the road way only by car, but now I was close to them and they were exquisitely beautiful. I allowed the gentle breeze to kiss my face. It was soft, refreshing and crisp. By the time I got to the restaurant, I had clocked in 2,000 steps. Yes! That’s more like it. Then, I did something strange. I told the waitress, I’ll be eating there instead. I knew I would not take long to eat my lunch, but I would have to walk much more quickly to make up for the time. I finished lunch and made the trek back to the office. By the time I got back to work I was almost up to 6000 steps. I was ecstatic.
But I still needed more steps. I’ll go and get the work mail. Then it occurred to me that I had been driving to the mail box. The mail center was about 2 minutes away from the office by car, but I did the walk in 5 minutes. I was almost up to 7,000 steps.
Grocery Store
After work, I made a pit stop to the grocery store, usually an unwanted stop, but on this day I was delighted because I would get to park far away. There were so many empty parking spots away from the grocery store. Then I noticed I had made an extra lap on the outside lanes of the store, but it was okay this time because I was gaining more steps. I was amused at myself for looking for opportunities to move before I got home.
‘Are We There Yet?’
When I got home, I took out the kitchen garbage, which is usually the chore of my husband. I happily went up and down the stairs carrying baskets of clothing. I put the clothes away instead of allowing them to spend the week in the laundry baskets. I vacuumed the bedroom carpet. I was almost there. Now, to walk the dog which my husband normally did. I just needed a few more steps, and my dog would be thrilled just to be outside. I walked him for about 2 minutes. I was beyond my 10,000 steps, but I was beyond myself most of all. I couldn’t believe it.
The Revelation
The truth was I was happy to work out in the gym. I was happy to be able to squat more than my body weight. But the real truth was I was unintentionally lazy. I couldn’t believe I drove to the mail box. I couldn’t believe on a nice day I would be happy to walk to a restaurant that was only 7 minutes away. I couldn’t believe I looked for the closest parking spot even AT THE GYM! Worst of all, I wrote and taught The Ten Commandments for Living a Healthy and Fit Life, a health and wellness bible study where I taught that God designed the body to move.
Though we may workout for about 45-60 minutes, the benefits are lessened and almost negated because of the long hours of sitting. According to a study reported by CBS news, 2 hours of sitting cancels out 20 minutes of exercise for our cardiorespiratory fitness level. Dr. Marc Hamilton, a fitness expert, calls these types of people like me “exercising couch potato”(Ouch!). A lack of physical activity doubles the risks for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and muscle atrophy. The bottom line, the body is designed to move and not to remain stationary for great lengths of time.
The message here is “don’t just exercise; keep moving”. Then take some time to be still physically, mentally and spiritually.
