I recently finished the book Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty. It was a 5 star book, in my opinion. As an author, she never fails to write great books. That however, is not the point to what I am writing. There was a line in the book, that I am paraphrasing, that has had me thinking. A character had a heart attack and a nurse said that they always know which men will improve their health after such an event based on the condition of their facial hair. A man who takes the time to groom himself is a man who will embrace the healthy lifestyle needed to survive. The character immediately shaves her legs and for those who have read the book, takes a healthy lifestyle to levels of absolute crazy.
When I finished the book, I shaved my legs. I also realized how true that statement is. Self care and a healthy lifestyle should be the cornerstone of everything we do. I know that I am guilty of indulging a bit too much on everything. I don’t exercise nearly enough and I will let stress get to me more than it should. Yoga, a form of exercise and relaxation, which I actually love doing, is nothing more than an occasional activity for me. I also have been told a number of times that I need to start strength training. I love it when 21-year-old personal trainers tell their 40 something clients that we are losing muscle mass due to our age. I know that, I just hate doing it. But, I should listen, she is just trying to help. I will get on a treadmill, but tend to walk at a leisurely pace, I don’t actually think that is the point of a treadmill.
I think I need to really decide what kind of activities I love that will lead me to a healthier lifestyle. I would love to hear what others do. Is it yoga? Pilates? Hiking? NO RUNNING though. The only time I will be seen running, a bear will be behind me. I read over and over again that you have to find a form of exercise you love in order for it to truly stick, so I need to hear what people do, that they love. I hate for this to sound like I am making some kind of resolution. It just so happens that I finished the book December 30th (I think), so the timing is coincidental.
My dad walking on the beach on Lake Michigan. His favorite self care ritual
Life In The Falls 
Do not underestimate the work in the yard, with your garden, the housework, hanging the washing, vacuuming, folding putting away, getting the kids from a to b. Park at the back of the supermarket carpark or one end of town if its small like ours. I know its the mundane stuff that we forget is actual physical work. We live old school, you only eat what your body needs to use. I think we can be too hard on ourselves also.
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