By Brett Fisher
There’s an old idiom that goes, “Walk the talk, don’t talk the walk.”
Talking sort of comes with the territory for me. I spend most of my time writing words.
But it occurred to me as the holidays approached this year that I wasn’t doing much else.
This had to change, I told myself.
Not only is exercise good for my physical health, but it is even better for my mental and emotional well-being, too.
As an individual suffering from the effects of a motor neuron and neuromuscular disorder, movement is critical to the soft connective tissues. My muscles will otherwise cramp up and atrophy from spasticity.
Movement, albeit not excessive, actually helps me to feel better than sitting or laying around. Nothing feels worse to me than getting up from a chair or rolling out of bed. Those first few moments are full of soreness and stiffness.
The consequences of sedentary activity for me are not only increased spasticity in my muscles, but also worsened functioning — especially mobility — and weight gain from lack of exercise. The latter, of course, can lead to additional health problems sooner or later.
That said, I want to make a commitment to myself in 2017 to walk more. I don’t want to resolve to talk less, though, because it’s my job to communicate. But there’s no practical reason why I cannot increase my physical activity, either.
Whether that is walking, swimming, stretching or a combination of the three, my body and my brain will only benefit from movement.
Now, I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolutions. I don’t like making promises.
However, sometimes you have to push yourself a little harder. I’ve been admittedly lazy and stubborn in the past year about improving my movement.
But there are no acceptable excuses, and work certainly shouldn’t be one of them. I’m a reporter, after all, and I’m often in the field covering news and events. If I’m not moving, then something is dreadfully wrong.
I should be relying less on my phone to do the work and instead be putting more responsibility on my earth pads to get around. When I am unable to do this, then I need to be stretching in between calls and going to the pool on breaks and time off.
No excuses. Just do it, as the Nike man said.
If you are struggling with procrastination as I have, I hope you take this New Year’s message to heart and join me in changing behavior. One step at a time, of course, and even baby steps are better than none.
But it all starts with taking that first step. By putting one foot in front of the other, soon we’ll be on our way.
In the coming year, I endeavor to write a series of stories featuring exercise activities suitable for the disabled. Whether you are relegated to a wheelchair or no assistive device at all, you can do something, and it’s important to do that for yourself.
Just getting out and experiencing something other than the four walls we find ourselves confined in most of the time is a healthy activity. Fresh air and sensory stimulation increase blood flow and, in turn, improve our brain functioning. Who couldn’t use a healthier brain?
As someone who uses a cane outside of my home and frequently employs a four-wheeled rollator walker to assist me on long walks, I can say with some authority that assistive devices offer no viable excuse for doing nothing. Don’t let your lack of mobility limit you in what you want to do.
We can do anything we put our minds to when we overcome our own reservations.
Won’t you join me in 2017 to do what we didn’t do in 2016?
I hope to see you on the trail, at the Multipurpose Athletic Center (MAC), at the pool or hot springs, or in the yoga studio this year. Together we can better manage our symptoms, improve our outlook on life, and feel better inside and out.
Who wouldn’t toast to that? Happy New Year!
