As many of you know, I spend my one hour lunches working out. Some days I run, some days I attend a yoga class (a co-worker is a yoga instructor and leads a class for us), and some times I go for a walk (power shopping at the nearby mall). Some of my co-workers are very supportive while others are not. I often get comments like:“I can’t work out on my lunch, I’d get all sweaty and my hair would get messed up.”
I have to be honest with you – yes, my hair gets messed up and yes, I get all sweaty and I sit in my own filth all afternoon. (There are showers available – but showering eats into my exercise time). But you know what? In my eyes it’s a small price to pay for the benefits I get out of working out.
Working out on my lunch is awesome because I focus so much better in the afternoon AND I have so much more energy (and patience). It’s good for me! Truthfully, I would much rather have my health, than pretty hair. Besides – I happen to think I look pretty darn cute rockin’ a pony tail with my rosy red cheeks from a kick butt workout.
I work out for many reasons – and not just for immediate results either. Who cares what I look like? I’m working out for the LONG TERM benefits! As we age we lose:
- Strength – For older adults, lifting cans and jars, and even opening the jars is hard (particularly for women) because they never MAINTAINED their strength. Carrying a purse, or groceries becomes nearly impossible.
- Balance – A loss of balance leads to falls. As we age our bones also become more brittle and our circulation diminishes. A loss of balance can cause some serious injuries that take a long time to heal – hip fractures, wrist fractures… These injuries lead to a loss of mobility and independence.
- Flexibility – as a Student Athletic Therapist, I treated a lot of older people with what’s called adhesive capsulitis. The shoulder capsule has become tight preventing the older adult from raising their arm to do simple tasks – brushing their hair, feeding themselves, brushing their teeth etc… (The rehab for this is long and PAINFUL). Why does this happen? Think about it – how often do you lift your arms over your head in a typical day? We need to stretch…
- Cardiovascular health – as we age our blood vessels and veins lose their flexibility. Also high cholesterol levels causes a build up of plaque in the arteries, veins etc surrounding the heart. Inflexible veins and a build of plaque prevents the blood from flowing – without blood the heart tissue and brain tissue dies. But cardiovascular exercise maintains the flexibility of those veins and arteries, it also reduces your cholesterol levels!
- Mental health – The loss of independence is a significant factor in depression. Not being able to get out of the house to see friends and family is EXTREMELY isolating.
I often wonder, at 60, 70, 80 yrs of age and in failing health, do the people who were not active at all in their youth ever regret it?
What about the healthy people like my dad? At the age of 62 he’s an awesome curler and golfer! He STILL walks the golf course! You know why he can do that? Because he’s always done that – he’s maintained his health. He hasn’t given a shit for how bad he smells after playing golf! He’s out there getting exercise and enjoying the beautiful weather!
Use it or lose it folks!! Not exercising may be more convenient and comfortable now – but what about later on in life? Will it matter if your hair looked good in the afternoon? Who wants to burden their children with caring for them because they can’t do things for themselves? I would much rather spend my retirement time seeing the world and playing with my grandchildren than confined to a wheelchair because I’m too frail.
C’mon folks – just do it! It’s NEVER too late!
What’s more important – your hair or your health? Exercise for yourself, for your kids, for your grandchildren – but most importantly – do it for YOU!
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Our hair greatly defines or lifestyle as well as the optimum level of it. And that includes our hair and everything on our body. But it depends on it’s cause. It may be due to something that has to do with our health condition or may be due to genetic reasons.
Elane recently posted..how to stop hair loss
Twitter: syerodriguez
says:
I have to agree with you. It’s much more important to stay active even if it messes up your hair.
It’s also true, the knowledge available to us today says we can be in just about as good shape at 80 as at 40 as long as we are willing to stay active and do some exercises that are intense. Not a joke.
I imagine some people have regrets about not having stayed more active and others will make excuses for not having stayed active. How much we are willing to take responsibility for our health makes a big difference in our health.
I say go get your hair messed up and have a good time doing it.
Peace Be With You.
Sye Rodriguez recently posted..Yoga Swing Exercise
I have been reading you blog for a while and after following the tips I am able to maintain a good and healthier body…Thanks!!
Twitter: Kodjoworkout
says:
Janice,
That’s a very good point. Being healthy doesn’t sum up to being skinny. I believe that exercises and healthy diet are the mortgage and common charges we pay on our body to prevent it from going into foreclosure! If one keeps skipping his/her mortgage payments…well
Talk again soon!
Kodjo
Kodjo recently posted..Burpees with Squat Jumps
Twitter: Kodjoworkout
says:
Janice,
I really wish everyone could think the way you do; America would be a better place right now. The red cross just released a report few weeks ago, which shows that more people are dying from obesity than are dying from hunger!! You asked the pertinent question whether those who are 60, 70 or 80 would look back and regret not having exercise while they were younger…Well, not be sarcastic, but if they did not exercise and eat healthy while they were younger, I doubt they would live to be 60 or 70 (forget about 80)! On my home workout blog http://www.kodjoworkout.com I speak about similar issues; and hopefully, slowly but surely, people like you, me, and other similar-minded folks, together would help change this overweight world for the better!
Thanks again for a great article!
Kodjo
Kodjo recently posted..Burpees with Squat Jumps
Thanks! One thing I want to point out: to me, healthy is not simply being skinny, in fact I don’t believe size indicates how healthy you are. For this post healthy means disease free, strong & vital, so it’s perfectly conceivable that someone in their 60′s, 70′s, or 80′s could look back & wish that they had maintained their strength, balance, endurance or flexibility through exercise.
So true! We need to think of the bigger picture. And for those people worried about their hair – even 30 minutes does a lot for their health. Do something!
Tina recently posted..Out With A Bang
I definitely need assistance loosing weight. I can’t believe how fat I am right now.
I already lost like 60 pounds but i still need to lose like 25 more. ive stayed the same bodyweight since july but i cant find motivation to start up again.
hehe like the title.
I agree working out it way more important than my hair!