When “Exercise”
Is NOT In Your Vocabulary
By Dyana Ray

The “E” word, for me, is like “WORK!?!?” is to Maynard G. Crebs of Dobie Gillis fame. Hearing it definitely causes a negative reaction! (Obviously, I’m dating myself, but when one is ageless, it matters not.)

Everyone says we need to exercise. Why is this? What is the purpose? Could it be that due to the mostly sedentary ways of desk jobs and a couch-potato lifestyle the key is that we need movement? If “just” walking is sufficient, this leads me to believe this is so. It’s about moving around to keep the circulation going and the heart needs to pump for the blood to circulate.

Does this mean we have to make a specific time each day to exercise, workout? My personal opinion is – No. Setting aside time to play is good, though!

Does someone working in a hospital really need to walk as well? I don’t think so! They can get a lot of walking right at work.

What is it the doctors really want? What are the real needs? Movement.

Frankly, I’d prefer hard work to exercise. The physical activity that has a side effect, that of exercise. Of course, I could be more positive and uplifting and call it a benefit, but being a negative sort with a dry, sarcastic sense of humor, I find there’s no fun in that! Then, again, this would be considered a positive side effect, right? See, it is made positive anyway!

Fun or work - anything that moves the body is beneficial. Whether it be dance, hula hoop, jump rope, tennis, miniature golf, batting cages, mopping floors, washing the car, tackling a Honey-Do list or To-Do jar.

Forget Exercising! Instead get out the To-Do Jar. I’m betting there’s movement on that list or in that jar. Complete the tasks or projects and the side effect is you are multi-tasking the whole time! Wash the car, the bike, the lawn mower. Remember the windows and paint the garage (with bright cheerful colors that will bring smiles each time you drive in!)

Even mopping the floors can be a workout…get on your hands and knees. Much better job for the floor and the bod! You could even get a little “Karate Kid” action going. Give the dominant side a rest and use the other hand.

If your To Do list and Task jar are completed and/or you are too embarrassed to have fun, help someone else tackle theirs! Seniors, especially, would love help moving something, cleaning the house, marking off their “honey-do” lists. This benefits others and provides weights, cardio, you name it. It is movement, which is the true key of it all, rather than sitting or lying around.

This can also be considered a working meditation or meditation-in-action, if doing tasks or projects alone. It enhances social time if doing with one or more - and it can be FUN! Talk about a side effect!

What I like best, though, is having FUN, PLAYING. Best exercise there is; brings smiles and is great for balancing life. Some examples are listed below.

Batting Cages can really be fun when you have the “hit list” ready and use it to process grievances against anyone and everyone, including the self! Be sure to take an encouragement or support buddy with you and a box of tissue, just in case! (My personal preference is to use a wooden bat and a hard ball instead of a soft ball and aluminum bat, but they’ll do!)

Then, there’s dancing. Ah, dancing - whether honey-fugglin’ to a slow dance or doing a polka, it’s the best Exercise, ‘scuse me, FUN there is for all around good health! You are connecting with a partner, it is great for stimulating the brain (just be sure to switch partners so you are doing more than the same comforting routines.) Look at the smiling and laughing happening out on the floor, whether just plain ole happy, or, (oops) tripped on a toe again. Have fun with it and don’t take yourself seriously!

Hula Hoop like a kid! Remember those days of the hula hoop? Well, dance and play with it. Some prefer to make the hoop a tool for Exercise. I prefer to PLAY with the hula hoop and have FUN with it, even though it has Exercise as a side effect. :) Hula Hooping for Exercise becomes a workout and that doesn’t work for me. In my mind, it is work that is non-productive and time consuming. “Keep it FUN or forget it” is my hula hooping motto!

Be a Kid. In fact play, with the kids. Talk about a workout! Gentle, rough and tumble play, crawling around the floor, having pillow fights are all great, complete with “side effects”. More importantly it is great FUN for you and the kiddies. They LOVE it!

When was the last time you skipped down the street? Brings smiles to all around who see you doing it, too!

Think back to what you enjoyed doing when you were a kid. Is there any reason you can’t do it now? (Besides embarrassment, please. That is bringing judgment into play and we don’t want to go there. When ageless, it doesn’t matter what others think.) If there are physical challenges, is there a way to get around them or work with them? For example, those in wheel chairs can still dance!

Do you want to Exercise? Or do you want to Play and have FUN? Whether it’s play or exercise, for me, it is now time to jump, hop, skip and dance around the block in my bright, sparkly hula hoop!

It’s Your Choice!

Dyana Ray is currently caregiver for her memory-challenged mom and continues her Spiritual Diagnosis education. Dyana is also writing about her experiences in holistic caregiving among other projects. 888-933-9262.