Happy New Year!!! We’re back…again! This year marks the 23rd year after graduation and half of our class will hit a milestone in 2005, the BIG 40! Note that I emphasized the word half, for those with visible possibilities of hiding their true age.
Anyway, someone I know asked me for help. She was excited but a little apprehensive about a new function she received as part of her job promotion. Among other duties, she was designated the Benefits Coordinator. She asked, “How can I encourage people to sign up with a fitness center, other than the obvious health reasons?” The question came at a time when I have just found a wonderful motivation to exercise.
In 2003, I gained 12 pounds in less than a year, which was very alarming since the weight I gained over the years were due to pregnancies. I feared that I was on the road that my maternal family treks. To top it off, Ronald offered to pay for an exercise program for me. It was a very clear warning, which I submitted to gracefully. I went on the 30-minute 3 times a week exercise program. I was at my optimum weight in six months, not one you can call sexy, but I was healthy.
This article, however, will not deal with the evident. I did find the question very relevant at this stage of my life and I would like to share with you how I view physical fitness. Do you remember our school’s mission statement? Doesn’t it point out to the fullness of life --- physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual? Does John 10: 10 still ring a bell?
Most people view exercise as an enhancement of their physical being, you know, loosing weight and looking good. To me, the very important reason for going to the gym is to spend quality time with my husband. Living in California, we have lived like rats in a maze. But Ronald and I work out together now, we have a weekly date at the gym on Saturday mornings. He’s back at 147 pounds and I am not much less than him, no matter how hard I try! I think he’s okay with that. (Note: I said okay, not happy!) We have been able to talk more and resolve daily problems quicker because we have time to discuss them. We have made a very big financial decision on a treadmill! We laugh together more often now, at a lot of trivial things. Looking and feeling good are just icing on the cake.
Our son, Andrew, 15, now joins us every Saturday morning to play racquetball. This has become a father and son bonding time, consequently, teaching our son the importance of exercise and inculcating the habit.
To some, going to the gym is a stress reliever but it has become a time of meditation for me, an escape from the pressures of work. I take the half-hour on the treadmill to read or sometimes to think about the activities of the week. Now that I am active, I have more energy to do a lot of other things. I have become a better time manager as a result of it, too. I was able to find time to attend prayer meetings. Not only has exercise enhanced me physically, I am emotionally and mentally happier now that even my social life has improved dramatically. I have new friends, who, must I say help me through my journey to the meaning of spiritual fullness.
So to all those who wrote “I will exercise more” as one of their new year’s resolution, may this motivate you to keep going.
Mrs. Salazar
Dimension 1982
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Happy Higee
9:31 PM 2/21/2005
