Skating Uphill - October 2020
Living a Healthy Lifestyle
“Let’s talk about building.
I don’t mean a house, I mean ourselves!”
– The Uphill Skater –
Let me tell you something you probably already know: We have all been through, and in many cases are still going through, a really bad time. All the things that have come together in the last months have not melded gently, they have collided, basically smashing into each other with a boom heard around the world.
What does this mean for each one of us in our own little worlds? I like to see everything as an opportunity. Can we try to look at it that way? Read on and let’s think about building, rather than burning, creating rather than destroying!
I subscribe to a magazine that features a large monthly section on nutrition, and I am looking right now at a picture of a great big sandwich. It starts with a slice of bread, has a little mustard, a lettuce leaf, a slice of tomato, a slice of purple onion, an egg and finally a slice of Swiss cheese, topped with the other slice of bread. It looks good, but does not make me think of food, but rather of the way it is constructed. It’s a metaphor for my thoughts on building. Start gradually, even start small, and build up to something with many pieces and parts—the whole becomes special and unique.
I am back at the gym on a very limited basis. We wipe off machines, wear masks and limit the number of people in the gym at once. I had not been able to go to the gym for months, so when I finally returned, I went back to my regular routine, right? Well, no! I no longer run like the wind, I run like the winded. One of the staff took me aside and gave me a much easier routine and told me to come more often. This has really worked like a charm. Within a month I am back to what I had been doing before and looking forward to building on that. No matter what you have been doing for exercise, keep it up and try to raise it up.
Covid-19 weight gain has come back to bite me in the butt for sure. My butt is a much easier target now, too. I have gained 17 pounds. This is since March 25. I am embarrassed since I have preached to EVERYONE they should not let this happen. So, now starvation time? No! Again, I am trying to go a little at a time. I have worked out a diet, oops, scratch that, I mean a healthy eating plan, that is in line with the number of calories I should have and especially the amount of protein needed to “build” muscle and rid me of this new fat. I also have found and changed the battery in my Fitbit. If nothing else in this world can give you a guilt trip, your Fitbit certainly can. Try this. The best, easiest, and cheapest exercise is walking, and your Fitbit will keep track.
I am also trying to build myself into a better person, which is a lifetime project. These times have been so unique it makes it hard to know what to do almost all the time. There are different groups with different agendas, fear, lack of knowledge, truth, lies and anger. My son said as part of a political discussion, which is now the kiss of death to many friendships, that he found it overwhelming how people hear exactly the same thing, not knowing what was true and what was a lie, and fight to the death over what they thought they heard. Unfortunately, this is true in many cases. I am making a big effort to be open minded. I try to listen. I try to respect the opinions of others. I try to be a good Christian. I try to express myself in ways that represent my opinion without causing a battle royal. I stand up for what I believe—you should too—but I don’t have to burn anything down to express myself.
Finally, there is a church group I read about – they hand out lunch bags to the homeless. Their hashtag is #yourlifematters. I really love that, and I have taken it as my motto in all of this. I honestly believe that your life matters and so does mine. I am trying to do something with my life right now that is different than a few months ago. I am trying to build myself up and to learn lessons. I challenge you to do the same. Love, Judith
Judith Lawrenson is a former Hilton Head Island resident who has a huge heart and is loved by all who meet her. She has served and volunteered with numerous charitable organizations while living in the Lowcontry making an impact wherever she went. She and her husband recently moved to the wild hills of West Virginia to be closer to grandchildren. Judith is an avid sailor, a retired reading resource specialist, and a children's TV host whose local show originated from the Boys and girls Club. Judith is also a long time seeker of healthy, happy living and a lifestyle dedicated to service to others balanced with love of God and love of self. Check out her BLOG www.skatinguphill.com for fun info, recipes and nutrition ideas, current updates on nearly everything in the world, and lots of comments and opinions.